Streaks/smudge On My Windshield...

[sundarpn]

When my wiper wipes, the glass get the streaks/smudge... it stays for like a 1-2 seconds...
but cause the wiper is constantly wiping... streaks are always forming....

I thgt it was the blade & changed it. No use. Then one day i rubbed my finger on the glass.. the same kind of streaks form... similar to the one made by the wiper blade. the steak/smudge like evaporates in like 2 sec... if the wiper is no making any more wipes..

I cleaned the glass, put rainx etc... still i have this annoying issue esp when driving at night.. the streaks are a pain against opposing lights...

what should I do?

[SixFoFalcon]

It's mostly from the Rain-X. It causes the water to bead, which is a nice idea. However, it gets on the wiper blade immediately, and then the wiper blade isn't contacting the glass. Little tiny (barely visible) beads of water stay behind after the wiper wipes. That's what the streaks are. Within a few seconds, they collect together into larger beads, and suddenly you can see through the glass again. When you use Rain-X, put your wipers on a low setting, unless it's absolutely pouring rain. I have the same issue... in the future, I'll only be using Rain-X on the side and back windows.

[sundarpn]

hmm.. so i gotto use rainx outside the arc of the wipers..

[trojan]

no i dought it because i just got a new window like a mounth ago and mine does the same thing.. i changed my blades to and my streak is right in my veiw and that all...but i have the blades that have like 2 blades on each wiper thats how it came when i bought it so it might be the 2 blades i dunno...

[SixFoFalcon]

Crappy blades will do the same thing. They get tiny little cracks in the blade edge when the rubber begins to dry out. Since sundarpn said he replaced the blades, I figured it wasn't the blades causing the problem. I have always had this problem with Rain-X--I just don't use my wipers that much anymore. With the Rain-X, you hardly need them.

I think straight alcohol will take the Rain-X off. The regular drugstore variety alcohol is only 70% alcohol, but some drugstores (Target, for one) have the 91% alcohol for about $.03 more. I'll try it out and let you know how it goes.

I'm considering getting the PIAA silicone wiper blades. Supposedly, they make the water bead up like Rain-X. Maybe they'll do it without the streaky crap. They're kinda pricey though, so I might try the JCWhitney knock-offs first.

*edit* Forgot to mention... those double blade wipers are junk. I've never heard anything good about them, and the blades they use are cheap.

[saerandy]

Have you ever gone through the car wash and paid $6-$8 for "the works" then
realized during the next rain storm that the wax they applied to the
windshield is keeping the wipers from doing their job well? How about
scrubbed with paper towels and window cleaner for 20 minutes to remove dried
on bug guts?

Before you wash your car next time try washing the windshield with Bon-Ami
cleanser. This is the ONLY cleanser which will not scratch...DO NOT use
other cleansers!!! (I have no financial interest in Bon-Ami...I just like
the way it works).

Take a wet sponge, wet down the window well. Sprinke Bon-Ami on the window
and scrub. Add more water or cleanser if needed. The cleanser will foam a
little if you used enough. Rinse well. The Bon-Ami will easily remove the
wax buildup, road grime, and insects in 1/4 the time of window cleaners. It
leaves the windshield polished and water spot free. Your windshield wipers
will work better too. (To clean the build-up off the wiper blades, simply
put some rubbing alcohol on a rag and wipe the rubber blades 4-5 times)

NOW DO THE RAIN X! You will be blown away the next time it rains at how great everything is!!

[sundarpn]

wow. what a procedure...
I think my windshield is old... so that might be the cause...

[Capital Punishment]

Originally posted by saerandy@Dec 9 2003, 08:19 PM
Have you ever gone through the car wash and paid $6-$8 for "the works" then
realized during the next rain storm that the wax they applied to the
windshield is keeping the wipers from doing their job well? How about
scrubbed with paper towels and window cleaner for 20 minutes to remove dried
on bug guts?

Before you wash your car next time try washing the windshield with Bon-Ami
cleanser. This is the ONLY cleanser which will not scratch...DO NOT use
other cleansers!!! (I have no financial interest in Bon-Ami...I just like
the way it works).

Take a wet sponge, wet down the window well. Sprinke Bon-Ami on the window
and scrub. Add more water or cleanser if needed. The cleanser will foam a
little if you used enough. Rinse well. The Bon-Ami will easily remove the
wax buildup, road grime, and insects in 1/4 the time of window cleaners. It
leaves the windshield polished and water spot free. Your windshield wipers
will work better too. (To clean the build-up off the wiper blades, simply
put some rubbing alcohol on a rag and wipe the rubber blades 4-5 times)

NOW DO THE RAIN X! You will be blown away the next time it rains at how great everything is!!

Holy crap, i felt like i was reading the back of a Bon-Ami bottle.

[FullDuplex]

Also, dish detergant works too.
People are talking about wipers, what are those? Something to eat...?
My car doesn't have them...
But I use Rain-X

[sundarpn]

bon-ami . is that somethin i can get a wal-mart..
how much is it anway?

So i can use rain ex.. after cleanin with this stuf..