New car: How to remove wiper outline?

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flycaster

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History: Have a new ATS Lux bought off a lot (on the lot for around 2 months). Car is garaged. Have the car about a month and put on about 1000 miles. Getting a lot of rain and I noted that with the wipers going, it appeared that the windshield was somewhat fogged. Put on the defogger, but didn't make any difference. Finally, figured that the "fogginess" was on the outside, which did clear somewhat, but not all the way. When I got home, I cleaned the new wipers(dealership just replaced them the prior week) with alcohol and then noted that there were dark "marks" where the wipers rest and also at the points where the wipers moved to their furthest position. Furthermore, there was a distinct wiper path outline on the windshield. The area within the path was clearer than the rest of the windshield. These noted unwanted marks are only visible when the glass is wet. Using a nylon Dobbie pad, I wiped these areas with a detergent soap, alcohol, Invisible Glass, paint thinner, toothpaste, 3M Fine Cut, and some generic compound. Also of note is that these areas are smooth to the touch. None of which made any difference. It's like the glass is "etched," and nothing removes it.

I have done some reading about this issue and think that treating the windshield with cerium oxide, or bricking the windshield might solve the problem, but I have the feeling that neither of these possible solutions are in the offing. If there are other doable solutions, would love to know about them. Also to consider is that this is a new car model (an effort by Cadillac to win-over BMW-3 type drivers,) and as Cadillac is bending over to please, I can always lay the problem on them.

If I have to bring the car in, then I would appreciate knowing what has to be done by Cadillac to clear the problem. Whenever I have to go to the dealer, I always like to know what to expect.... Thanks.
 
i have a new ats and you know more about this problem than most people would. i will watch this post carefully. hope you find a solution .
 
A few things.

Congrats on the car. All kinds of things happen to new cars at dealers, so who knows what they might have done to your windshield. Why did they replace the wiper blades, because you complained? Or for some other reason?

A Doobie pad should not have done any additional damage to your windshield (although who knows with the soft glass they seem to use these days), but it probably didn't provide a very good substrate to polish with.

"Wiper tracks" which is what happens when abrasive particles are dragged across the windshield (like during the winter when sand from winter salt winds up on the windshield with the spray) is common, and would require something like cerium oxide to remove, but you don't seem to be describing this. I don't know what "bricking" is.

Since you seem to be new and likely don't have any of the products/tools we "expect" members to have, and since you seem to have some sort of "film" on the windshield, I would suggest going to your local auto parts store or big box store and get some terry or microfiber applicators, and use your 3M Fine Cut, or even better, get some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, and try that vigorously on a small portion of the windshield and see what happens. (that's presuming that you don't have a machine polisher).

I find some windshields to be very finicky, but that seems to be mostly Asian cars...perhaps they have some regulations over there that result in softer glass. One that I have is not only soft but also just seems to hold onto residues.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
A few things.

Congrats on the car. All kinds of things happen to new cars at dealers, so who knows what they might have done to your windshield. Why did they replace the wiper blades, because you complained? Or for some other reason? I asked them to because the wiper was making undue noise at the end of the upwards and beginning of the downward wipe. Wipers were quieter after the blade replacement.

A Doobie pad should not have done any additional damage to your windshield (although who knows with the soft glass they seem to use these days), but it probably didn't provide a very good substrate to polish with.

"Wiper tracks" which is what happens when abrasive particles are dragged across the windshield (like during the winter when sand from winter salt winds up on the windshield with the spray) is common, and would require something like cerium oxide to remove, but you don't seem to be describing this. I don't know what "bricking" is.
As far as I know, the wipers were not running when there was an "grit" in the air. There are no tracks, just the outline of the path that can only be seen when glass is wet. Also, only had the car for a month and under the relatively clean conditions where I live, I'm not thinking excessive windshield abrasion...but who know? Bricking was my attempt as some humor; you know, brick the windshield to get insurance to replace it.

Since you seem to be new and likely don't have any of the products/tools we "expect" members to have, and since you seem to have some sort of "film" on the windshield, I would suggest going to your local auto parts store or big box store and get some terry or microfiber applicators, and use your 3M Fine Cut, or even better, get some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, and try that vigorously on a small portion of the windshield and see what happens. (that's presuming that you don't have a machine polisher).
Unfortunately, you are right about my not having anything close to a Porter-Cable. I do detail my cars by hand. Been a long time Zaino guy, got the MFs.

I find some windshields to be very finicky, but that seems to be mostly Asian cars...perhaps they have some regulations over there that result in softer glass. One that I have is not only soft but also just seems to hold onto residues.
Click to expand...

I've read that it may be worthwhile to try Bon Ami. Probably will try today or tomorrow.
 
no i dont have the problem. am putting on paint defender today. love the car though.
 
Yeah, Bon-Ami is an old standby, I've never used it myself. If you have some Z-PC, I'd try that by hand if you've got a terry or MF applicator. There's also usually some glass polish of some sort at Auto Parts store, those work chemically, maybe like the Bon-Ami.
 
there's all kinds of stuff on your glass when it comes from the factory. I regularly see cars with the suction cup marks on the inside where they held the glass in place while putting it together.

Ceri-glass, lots of water, be sure to tape off small cracks and crevices as the ceri glass will splatter everywhere and is very thin and will get into small areas and stain white.

Be sure to treat afterwards with a glass coating or a good wax
 
Hey, it's a brand new car with a bumper to bumper warranty. Take it back to the dealer and have them correct the problem. Problem solved.
 
jrs1418 said:
there's all kinds of stuff on your glass when it comes from the factory. I regularly see cars with the suction cup marks on the inside where they held the glass in place while putting it together.

Ceri-glass, lots of water, be sure to tape off small cracks and crevices as the ceri glass will splatter everywhere and is very thin and will get into small areas and stain white.
Click to expand...

That's crazy (see below), there's no way a brand new car should need CeriGlass unless the dealer fouled it up--nothing from the factory should require that--you don't need CeriGlass to take off suction cup marks, man! You're telling someone who doesn't even own a polisher to take a highly abrasive compound to the windshield of a $40K+ brand new car...I'm sorry, that's just bad advice.

Rsurfer said:
Hey, it's a brand new car with a bumper to bumper warranty. Take it back to the dealer and have them correct the problem. Problem solved.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks , guys, for all the helpful thoughts and hints.
Never got Z-PC as I've been lucky enough not to have to use it.
As for CeriGlass, I know about it, but not going to use it as it will make a mess. I'll try the Bon Ami, and if that doesn't work, off to the dealer.
Also, I well appreciate that this is a new car under a very good warranty. However, before going to the dealer, I generally like to see (by learning stuff from the forums) if I can fix the problem by myself. If I can't fix the problem myself, at least I should have a good idea, from guys like you, what needs to be done.
 
Be careful what you use on that glass. A cleanser may be abrasive and cause scratches. It could damage the finish on any trim around the glass. Glass does scratch. The thing is, a lot of times you don't see the scratches when you are working on it, you see them later when it is too late - like at night under the gas station lights.

If the dealer thinks you messed with it, they are likely to blame any issue on you. Especially if they find out you went at the windshield with a cleanser and an abrasive scrubbing pad. Since it's a new car, I agree to make it their problem and let them resolve it.

Cerri-Glass is likely not the solution, as used incorrectly it will scratch the heck out of your glass. It's meant to level and remove scratches from glass and can be tricky to use effectively. You should not need this on a new car unless there has been some type of bad damage. If there are any bonded contaminants on the glass they can be removed by safer methods.

From what you describe, it seems to me the issue isn't the glass, but the wipers (black marks) leaving deposits on the glass over and over. As, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the "messed up" part only in the wiper path?

If it was me, I would not use cleanser, steel wool, strong APCs, IPA, mineral spirits, sand paper, etc... on the glass. I would use products made for glass, like Pinnacle Glass Polish. This is anew 40k car, your really going to work on it with cleanser? If the dealer can't resolve this to your satisfaction, and it was me, I would:

1. Get a non abrasive glass polish like Pinnacle, Griot's Glass Clay, a glass sealant (like Pinnacle), some quality microfiber towels, and a quality foam hand polishing tool - like the Polishin' Pal with a white 3" LC foam pad.

2. Get a quality set of aftermarket wiper blades

3. tape off the windshield and clay the glass.

4. polish the glass with a foam pad

5. seal the glass.

6. then immediately install the new wiper blades.

Using tooth paste or home remedy cleanser type stuff may work, or may cause damage - I wouldn't want to find out. I would invest in the correct products to do the job.
 
Just a thought...

-It could actually be the type of wiper blades themselves leaving the "markings".

-Perhaps GM has sourced someone like PIAA and are putting
"Super Silicone" wiper blades on as OEM equipment.

[The idea behind a silicone wiper blade is that they are "coated with a chemical"...
wonder what that is... that will be deposited on the windshield, (to get water to 'bead-up'),
each time the wiper-blade assembly goes through its "wiper's pathway".
This is, allegedly, for clearer vision and an extended life-cycle for the filler/insert.]

Auto-glass is permeable/porous...
Silicone will find its way into the smallest of areas...and is a bear to remove.


-I'd check with the dealership's service department for the type/Brand-name of wiper-blade filler
that was the OEM on the vehicle...and what replacement filler they installed.

Either way:
Tell them you'd rather have ones made from rubber...like the ones from Bosch.

:)

Bob
 
Griot's Garage glass polish, 3" glass polishing pads, and their 3" DA did an excellent job at removing the wiper tracks from my windshield. Just don't do what I did and accidentally turn on the polisher while its face-up, freshly loaded with product, and about two feet above a freshly waxed black car...
 
flycaster said:
I generally like to see (by learning stuff from the forums) if I can fix the problem by myself. If I can't fix the problem myself, at least I should have a good idea, from guys like you, what needs to be done.
Click to expand...

The problem is that if you screw it up, the dealer will blame you. :xyxthumbs:
 
Something I've used often is, "No-Touch Auto Glass Cleaner" (GS-8). Should be able to find it at most auto parts stores.

It is a tad on the 'sloppy' side to use, but it does work.

Bill
 
DP Glass Restorer then Aquapel ... worked on all my GM cars including the CTS>
 
Thanks all, but I think that I'll be going to the dealer. However, the thought about silicone vs rubber blades is interesting. But, then again, no one on the ATS board has had the same problem...and I figure that many of us have the same type of blades???
 
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