MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: stealthwolf on December 12, 2008, 01:47:36 pm

Title: Smear smear
Post by: stealthwolf on December 12, 2008, 01:47:36 pm
Don't know why this is happening now but when I use the screenwash to clear the windscreen, the wipers clear it but as the windscreen dries, there's some white "residue" appearing, largely in the bit missed by the wipers but also at some other points in the wipers' range. It has the appearance of some white stuff being smeared by the wipers.

Disappears when you wash the windscreen again and then reappears a few moments later.

Have been using screenwash from the dealers.

What is it? Why's it happening? How do I stop it from happening in future?
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: The wheel man on December 12, 2008, 01:56:15 pm
good question, i have this also and have the dealers screen wash.  Dont know why though.......  could it be the salt in the water (from the road)??
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: neg on December 12, 2008, 02:48:34 pm
I would empty your washers and refill, also clean you screen with glass cleaner or similar to remove any film.
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: Greeners on December 12, 2008, 02:55:28 pm
I would empty your washers and refill, also clean you screen with glass cleaner or similar to remove any film.

Remember to clean the wiper blades too. White spirit will get any residue straight off them  :happy2:
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: 182_blue on December 12, 2008, 03:09:02 pm
it sounds like road salt to me
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: bennylenny88 on December 12, 2008, 03:55:08 pm
just whack some rain x on it
it helps a hella lot!
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: stealthwolf on December 12, 2008, 03:57:58 pm
Damn you bennylenny! Wrote a reply and clicked post. Then closed the tab and as I did, realised you had replied and therefore got that "warning" thing up. :rolleye: :rolleye: :rolleye:

Anyway, I went past a gritter a few days back. Can't remember if the smear problem started before then or not.

If it is the road salt, what's the best way to remove it? I already tried AG fast glass once (Quickly) and have AG glass polish to hand if required.
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: cohiba on December 12, 2008, 03:59:59 pm
When empty fill with clean water, not sex wee. :signLOL:
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: neg on December 12, 2008, 04:00:20 pm
RainX on the front screen is not recommended - great on the others though
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: 182_blue on December 12, 2008, 04:26:02 pm
Damn you bennylenny! Wrote a reply and clicked post. Then closed the tab and as I did, realised you had replied and therefore got that "warning" thing up. :rolleye: :rolleye: :rolleye:

Anyway, I went past a gritter a few days back. Can't remember if the smear problem started before then or not.

If it is the road salt, what's the best way to remove it? I already tried AG fast glass once (Quickly) and have AG glass polish to hand if required.

if it is road salt its just dirt hitting the screen, not alot you can do about it
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: stealthwolf on December 12, 2008, 04:34:19 pm
Yeah but it happens when I'm stationary too!
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: bennylenny88 on December 12, 2008, 07:40:58 pm
RainX on the front screen is not recommended - great on the others though

works well with my windscreen :S
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: Top Cat on December 12, 2008, 08:59:02 pm
Yeah but it happens when I'm stationary too!

Did you not say you put some collinite on before the meet, its probably bits of dried wax flying out of your water drain catcher thing, once you get wax on the wipers it hangs around for ages.   :xmastree:
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: stealthwolf on December 12, 2008, 09:09:53 pm
Yeah but it happens when I'm stationary too!

Did you not say you put some collinite on before the meet, its probably bits of dried wax flying out of your water drain catcher thing, once you get wax on the wipers it hangs around for ages.   :xmastree:

Yeah but not over the windscreen lol!

Strange since it happened only in the past week but not after I detailed (a few days before the meet).

I'll have a go at the windscreen tomorrow.
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: v2brett on December 12, 2008, 09:21:39 pm
i can highly recommend using cerium oxide to clean the windscreen, it removes all residue its like having new wipers and a brand new windscreen  :driver:
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: stealthwolf on December 12, 2008, 09:36:58 pm
i can highly recommend using cerium oxide to clean the windscreen, it removes all residue its like having new wipers and a brand new windscreen  :driver:

Where can I source some of this magical stuff?
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: v2brett on December 12, 2008, 10:01:41 pm
from good ol` ebay lol  just search for cerium oxide.
its great stuff just mix a small amount, polish the screen then clean off .   takes all residue off and gets the glass like new. 

i used it as i got some new wipers and they were acting rubbish ( squeaking, juddering)   did the screen with this and all was sorted  :jumpmove:   was about to send the wipers back!
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: JPC on December 12, 2008, 10:05:28 pm
yep, thats your best bet for cleaning the window! dont let it settle on an y rubber bits for long periods tho!
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: JonnyG on December 13, 2008, 11:58:46 am
RainX on the front screen is not recommended - great on the others though

Where did you hear that  :confused:  ?

I've used it for years and find it best on the windsreen ... no bugs get "stuck" on in the Summer and in the Winter I don't even need to use my wipers once over 50mph  :grin:
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: stealthwolf on December 13, 2008, 12:22:28 pm
Which of these ones should I get?

no 1 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GLASS-POLISHING-KIT-28-WITH-PUMICE-AND-CERIUM-OXIDE_W0QQitemZ400009291052QQ)
no 2 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cerium-Oxide-Polishing-Powder-0-5-microns-500g-pack_W0QQitemZ170241579672QQ)
no 3 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CERIUM-OXIDE-GLASS-POLISHING-LAPIDARY-TUMBLING-100g-TUB_W0QQitemZ250339932366QQ)

Or is there a recommended seller?
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: JonnyG on December 13, 2008, 01:27:08 pm
Personallly I'd just use a standard glass cleaner, as recommnended here :-

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=89963&highlight=glass+polish

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=90168&highlight=glass+polish
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: gazbutS3 on December 13, 2008, 02:36:44 pm
RainX on the front screen is not recommended - great on the others though

Where did you hear that  :confused:  ?

I've used it for years and find it best on the windsreen ... no bugs get "stuck" on in the Summer and in the Winter I don't even need to use my wipers once over 50mph  :grin:

We use a similar product on plane windscreens :happy2:
Title: Re: Smear smear
Post by: JonnyG on December 13, 2008, 03:20:56 pm
We use a similar product on plane windscreens :happy2:
:happy2: :xmassmiley: