My front windshield, has what appears to be water marks that appear to be slightly etched into the glass. This occures in areas where the wippers do not clean. I have tried window cleaner, brake cleaner and cleaner wax (NuFinish). Nothing seems to really work. Suggests from those who have solved this type of problem. Thank you so much. Ed Hayes
Removing water etched windshield?
- Thread starter Eddie
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Try some window cleaner and really get the glass wet. Then take a long razor blade (4-5") and scrape the windshield. Don't be afraid to to put some pressure on the glass. Just make sure to clean the glass well before using the razor since a piece of metal or rock may scratch the glass.
Those etchings are where acidic water ate a hole in the glass. Nothing I have found will fix that.
if the marks were not there too long you could try vinegar on a rag and let it soak for a couple of minutes. go with 100% , not diluted and see what happens. if that does nothing , then on to your next option. they may be deep and if that is the case a good car polish or compound would be needed to remove them. i will use a polish , then move up to a compound always going with the least aggressive polish first. with a rotary or pc you can get a lot of these out. just do not heat the glass too much.
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000 glass wool brillo pad
The world will beat a path to the door of anyone who markets a glass polish which will clean up the tiny pits on windshields. It'll have to be apolish, though, not a wax. We used to polish lab glass by heating it.
The replacement glass industry won't like it though.
The replacement glass industry won't like it though.
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BMW used to recommend the use of Bon Ami to clean their windshields. Either that or some Bar Keepers Friend.
Originally Posted By: hate2work
BMW used to recommend the use of Bon Ami to clean their windshields. Either that or some Bar Keepers Friend.
my suggestion also, it works
BMW used to recommend the use of Bon Ami to clean their windshields. Either that or some Bar Keepers Friend.
my suggestion also, it works
Originally Posted By: Hermann
Originally Posted By: hate2work
BMW used to recommend the use of Bon Ami to clean their windshields. Either that or some Bar Keepers Friend.
my suggestion also, it works
+1
Originally Posted By: hate2work
BMW used to recommend the use of Bon Ami to clean their windshields. Either that or some Bar Keepers Friend.
my suggestion also, it works
+1
Kestas
Staff member
I use a cerium oxide polish to remove water stains. I just went through this a few days ago to prep my winter car for service. The stains develop every year from sitting outside in storage under a tree.
Bon Ami or Baking Soda and a wet sponge is what I use.
After cleaning I go over the windshield inside and outside with old newspaper.
After cleaning I go over the windshield inside and outside with old newspaper.
Best Answer...
And yes, I have tried all of the others.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I use a cerium oxide polish to remove water stains. I just went through this a few days ago to prep my winter car for service. The stains develop every year from sitting outside in storage under a tree.
And yes, I have tried all of the others.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I use a cerium oxide polish to remove water stains. I just went through this a few days ago to prep my winter car for service. The stains develop every year from sitting outside in storage under a tree.
Originally Posted By: 229
000 glass wool brillo pad
This. I worked for a VW dealer for 8 years and every used car got this as part of the detail process.
000 glass wool brillo pad
This. I worked for a VW dealer for 8 years and every used car got this as part of the detail process.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
The world will beat a path to the door of anyone who markets a glass polish which will clean up the tiny pits on windshields. It'll have to be apolish, though, not a wax. We used to polish lab glass by heating it.
The replacement glass industry won't like it though.
How about a synthetic sapphire windwhield? Only the outer most laminate would need to be that hard.
Nobody is polishing out the pits on the glass. etching is another story.
The world will beat a path to the door of anyone who markets a glass polish which will clean up the tiny pits on windshields. It'll have to be apolish, though, not a wax. We used to polish lab glass by heating it.
The replacement glass industry won't like it though.
How about a synthetic sapphire windwhield? Only the outer most laminate would need to be that hard.
Nobody is polishing out the pits on the glass. etching is another story.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I use a cerium oxide polish to remove water stains. I just went through this a few days ago to prep my winter car for service. The stains develop every year from sitting outside in storage under a tree.
Source?
I use a cerium oxide polish to remove water stains. I just went through this a few days ago to prep my winter car for service. The stains develop every year from sitting outside in storage under a tree.
Source?
Kestas
Staff member
JC Whitney is where I bought mine. The glass polishing kit comes with a felt polishing wheel, which I don't use anymore. I work the compound by hand.
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Those etchings are where acidic water ate a hole in the glass. Nothing I have found will fix that.
The only acid that etches glass is hydrofluoric acid. I would doubt that acid got on his windshield.
Those etchings are where acidic water ate a hole in the glass. Nothing I have found will fix that.
The only acid that etches glass is hydrofluoric acid. I would doubt that acid got on his windshield.
I believe that my glass etching results from our dual water system here in FL. The sprinkler water is from well and recycled water and if you happen to get some on your windshield that is not wiped off, you get this problem. I will report back after I try some of the ideas presented here. Thanks . Ed
Originally Posted By: AstroTurf
Best Answer...
And yes, I have tried all of the others.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I use a cerium oxide polish to remove water stains. I just went through this a few days ago to prep my winter car for service. The stains develop every year from sitting outside in storage under a tree.
Yes this would be the best answer but I was trying to use some of the products that the op might have had on hand first. Autogeek has some glass polishes that do a very nice job. the stuff from Carpo is very good, it even levels small scratches ( with a machine ) but it is expensive, ceriglass. keep in mind to always try the least aggressive approach first. good luck
Best Answer...
And yes, I have tried all of the others.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I use a cerium oxide polish to remove water stains. I just went through this a few days ago to prep my winter car for service. The stains develop every year from sitting outside in storage under a tree.
Yes this would be the best answer but I was trying to use some of the products that the op might have had on hand first. Autogeek has some glass polishes that do a very nice job. the stuff from Carpo is very good, it even levels small scratches ( with a machine ) but it is expensive, ceriglass. keep in mind to always try the least aggressive approach first. good luck
Originally Posted By: Eddie
I believe that my glass etching results from our dual water system here in FL. The sprinkler water is from well and recycled water and if you happen to get some on your windshield that is not wiped off, you get this problem. I will report back after I try some of the ideas presented here. Thanks . Ed
What a bummer, I seem to see this at least once a week, badly etched windows and windshields and it's a pain to try and remove, and sometimes there is no hope. I got my glass polishing stuff (Cerium Oxide) from Eastwood years back and it works, but takes forever to correct glass. I can't imagine trying to do this by hand, I use my rotary and it still takes a long time.
Good luck!
I believe that my glass etching results from our dual water system here in FL. The sprinkler water is from well and recycled water and if you happen to get some on your windshield that is not wiped off, you get this problem. I will report back after I try some of the ideas presented here. Thanks . Ed
What a bummer, I seem to see this at least once a week, badly etched windows and windshields and it's a pain to try and remove, and sometimes there is no hope. I got my glass polishing stuff (Cerium Oxide) from Eastwood years back and it works, but takes forever to correct glass. I can't imagine trying to do this by hand, I use my rotary and it still takes a long time.
Good luck!
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