Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » How can I get rid of a smeary windscreen?

How can I get rid of a smeary windscreen?

I have been plagued for a long time with smears on my inside windscreen of my VW Tiguan. I have tried all sorts of glass cleaners including AutoGlym and G Techiq among washing-up liquid and rubbing alcohol. They seem fine for the first day but then they seem to smear over with a horrible film. It's more prominent when driving into the sun and it is so irritating. I do not smoke so its not that. Can you tell me how to get the glass sparkling clean and stay like it?

Asked on 31 July 2025 by Ken Swan

Answered by David Ross
Using an automotive glass cleaner should remove any smears or condensation from the windscreen - a good quality and clean microfibre cloth is essential to remove any leftover residue. But if it continues to reappear it may be that unwanted moisture is being vented through the air conditioning system on to the windscreen. You can try disabling the recirculation function to see if this improves the situation, but if not we would suggest having the vehicle inspected by your dealer or independent Volkswagen specialist to see if they can identify an issue.
Similar questions
My Toyota C-HR was treated with a product called Diamondbrite. Unfortunately the dealer has sprayed all the glass as well as the paintwork with the product. This causes the windscreen to badly smear in...
Reference today's 'Blade ruiner' comment, I would like to mention that a little vinegar on a small piece of lint free cloth is ideal for cleaning the inside and outside of windscreens (front and back!). (Keep...
Can you recommend a good streak-free interior glass cleaner please? I like to keep the inside of my windscreen clean (condensation in winter especially leaves a film after it's dried).
Related models
High-quality interior offers plenty of practicality, plus a strong array of standard equipment. Refined driving experience fits with Volkswagen’s upmarket image.