The Clean Screen Battle

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Thu 4 Jul 2002 06:19
The Clean Screen Battle - Godfrey H {P}
I seem to be having a constant battle to keep my windscreen smear free. I can start with a pristine screen and sometimes it starts to smear after 3 days and sometimes after one drive. I don\'t mean smearing caused by dead insects which have to be cleaned off anyway but smearing of what looks to visual inspection a clean screen. Before you ask my wipers are OK and I clean them too. I use Holts winter grime shifter for a quick fix and Turtle wax glass cleaner when I have more time. I notice the professionals use a very effective liquid cleaner which doesn\'t dry to a powder and therefore much quicker to use. Here is the question what is it and where can I get some?

Is it just me or do other backroomers have this battle?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Jul 2002 08:18
The Clean Screen Battle - Peter D
Your windscreen wiper may well be the cause of your problem or the make of screen wash. Wash out the bottle to remove the wash you are using and try just water and a few drops of washing up liquid. Personaly I am a user of Holts wash ( Car Plan Smears _ Bosch blades and a carefully cleaned screen treat monthly with RainX. It rains a lot here so combination is important. Old fashioned fix was to clean the screen then use half a potato to clean the screen. Not as daft as it seems as the starch breaks down the protein element of the contamination Careful not to scratch the screen. I use meths then liguid soap on a dense brush.

Good Luck
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Jul 2002 08:28
The Clean Screen Battle - RichardW
I find that the Clearalex cyrstals are outstanding. God knows what's in them - you wouldn't think such a small sachet could do any good (and I hate to think what it might do to the paint!). I used to clean the windscreen at least once a month with domestic glass cleaner, but have not cleaned it once since using Clearalex - and that was 8 months ago.

Richard
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Jul 2002 09:54
The Clean Screen Battle - pmh
I find that the screen cleaners avaiable in France (S) are much better than anything avaiable in the UK. The aerosol cleaner (made by Holts!) is excellent and removes grease and dead insects at a a stroke. It is also good for cleaning wiper blades.

Having had a new screen fitted by Autoglass recently I took the opportunity to ask what they use. Answer (to my surprise) bulk supplies of the standard Halfords glass cleaner.

I reckon the best solution is a new screen every 2 years! It is the next best thing to having a new car.
pmh (was peter)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Jul 2002 10:35
The Clean Screen Battle - BrianW
At one time I was having a new screen every four months on average.
I wouldn't recommend it.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Jul 2002 11:29
The Clean Screen Battle - blank
Brian:

Where on earth were you driving? I haven't had a new screen for the last 200k miles (approx)

Andy

(Oh dear, what have I said?)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 7 Jul 2002 12:54
The Clean Screen Battle - BrianW
Andy
Sorry for the delayed reply.
They were al on normal UK roads.
The first one was on the M6 around junction 1. The car was an Avenger and the screen (toughened) blew in onto our laps.
I then had a run of screens going, no noticeable reason, once when turning left into our own road, and on that car and another.
My insurance company got fed up with paying out and dropped the windscreen cover, I took out a separate windscren policy and had a couple of claims on that!
That was around 20 years ago and (touch wood) haven't even had a crack since.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Jul 2002 12:47
The Clean Screen Battle - Peter
I find neat screenwash on clean rag does the job just as well. It also stops the wipers juddering and screetching on the screen.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 26 Jul 2002 13:22
The Clean Screen Battle - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}
Eventually got new wiper blade assemblies for my 2001 Passat under warranty
(service 'adjustment' resulted in two juddering blades).
No judder and clean screen.
Anyone priced these yet? , all rubber construction looks novel and expensive.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Jul 2002 20:39
The Clean Screen Battle - Mr Mark
Yes I agree, having tried all the others, definately Clearalex is the best.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 7 Jul 2002 12:38
The Clean Screen Battle - robert
And where do you buy this wonderstuff?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 7 Jul 2002 21:21
The Clean Screen Battle - Mr Mark
It is available in a pack of four sachets or as a liquid in five litre packs, either ready to use or concentrated. Cost £4.99/5lt.

Some independant auto shops stock it but it is most widely available at Halfords. Having said that, when I went in last week for some I was told "We only stock a small selection of our own stuff at this time of year. Come back in the autumn we'll have it then" ?!?!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Jul 2002 12:54
The Clean Screen Battle - CM
Alcohol works well. If you can get some industrial stuff (100%) that should do it but have no idea if it would burn the wiper blades.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Jul 2002 14:25
The Clean Screen Battle - BrianW
Alcohol works well. If you can get some industrial stuff (100%) that should do it but have no idea if it would burn the wiper blades.

Buy it in French supermarkets if you are over there.
I haven't found anything that it damages yet.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 7 Jul 2002 18:55
The Clean Screen Battle - THe Growler
I drive in Metro Manila, one of Asia's most polluted cities. Oily black diesel gunk and crud on the windshield and wipers are a big problem. Especially when it rains. For me nothing beats good old rubbing alcohol, from the pharmacy or the sports shop, applied with newsprint and polished till clear.
Something in the print seems to act as a polisher. Alcohol won't damage the wipers either. Aircon greases up the inside too, so I just use Kleenex and alcohol again. This is cheap and just as good as everything else I've tried from the accessory store. But I do replace the blades every rainy season, there seems to be a point at which cleaning them doesn't work any more, even though they don't seem worn as such.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 7 Jul 2002 19:48
The Clean Screen Battle - Godfrey H {P}
You can't buy industrial alcohol over the counter in the UK. What you can buy has various addidtives to make it undrinkable, and I think these additives might cause smearing.


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Jul 2002 20:27
The Clean Screen Battle - Cyd
see thread entitled "wipers" on page 12 of the archive.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 7 Jul 2002 18:29
The Clean Screen Battle - phil oliver
What about the inside of the screen? I never touch the surface and rely on the demister, but a thin film buids up slowly that needs cleaning. It's removed easily with a glass cleaner, but on my large mpv screen it is difficult to reach all corners without contortion, and I always miss bits because I can't get good wide sweeps across the screen.

Any hints or tips?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 7 Jul 2002 22:28
The Clean Screen Battle - Cyd
Most of the misting on the inside is caused by plasticisers coming out of the facia and other plastics inside the car (mostly it's the PVC covering on the facia). You will find that this film covers all the inside glass, but is probably most noticable on the screen. The only option is to clean regularly with your prefered cleaner. Try wrapping a cloth around a flat wooden spatula to get at awkward bits.
You'll also find that if you use many of the 'interior cleaners' available you will make this misting worse.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 8 Jul 2002 12:16
The Clean Screen Battle - Steve S
Have you tried Auto Glym Fastglass? Just spray on and wipe off. This seems to do the trick and is much better than the blue stuff that they did which turned to powder before you had time to polish it off.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 8 Jul 2002 18:53
The Clean Screen Battle - SjB {P}
Over the weekend, it would appear that half the UK population of bugs impaled themselves on my car's windscreen.

The only suitable cleaner that I had was Halfords Bug & Tar remover, in a pump action bottle. (This is the new brew,
just back on sale, apparently from a new supplier, after many months with no Halfords own brand equivalent)

Sprayed on to the glass sparingly, I was then asked to help with some other jobs, the result of which, to my worry, was that left for two hours, it was then completely baked on by the sun.

In fact, I needn't have worried, and whether down to being baked on, or not, the result is a windscreen that is literally squeaky clean. Yes, there was a slight squeak with every passing of the wiper blades in this morning's rain, but absolutely no haze of any kind. Perfect cleanliness. :-)


/Steve
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 8 Jul 2002 20:21
The Clean Screen Battle - Simon Templar

I have used Meths & polished with newspaper.I have also tried Merc Muck (M-Benz) & have settled for Autoglym Fastglass during the past 2 years.I understand Russian or Polish Vodka isquite effective too.

Simon T
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 10 Jul 2002 14:31
The Clean Screen Battle - Ombrello Man
Its a battle that most have but seem prepared to put up with - for whatever reason. We have a product called Ombrello that puts an atomically thin but very durable coating on the glass that seals it against contaminants and reduces friction. Its hydrophobic properties repel water and water-borne debris - keeping screens cleaner for longer with less need for whatever screen additives.

Ombrello has RAC Technicare approval, Police endorsements:"I would recommend this product to anyone who takes their driving seriously" says Thames Valley Police Casualty Reduction Officer. Even the Public Carriage Office have approved its use for Licensed London Taxi cabs!

If you are not delighted by it, I will give you your money back!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 10 Jul 2002 16:18
The Clean Screen Battle - <0.One%
Ombrello man:
If this is not a wind up, can you please tell us where to get Ombrello?

Can you post a link to a site that gives details about this product?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 10 Jul 2002 16:34
The Clean Screen Battle - <0.One%
I just did a search on www.teoma.com and www.google.com and came up with the Ombrello web site:

www.weathertec.co.uk/mall/Weathertec/products/prod...m

They claim:

\"On an Ombrello-treated windscreen, water \"beads\" with a contact angle of up to 115 degrees - making it almost impossible to stay on the screen - even without wipers - at over 35mph.
Above 35mph, the wind speed is sufficient to almost totally clear the screen - without wiper assistance.\"
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 10 Jul 2002 17:09
The Clean Screen Battle - Ombrello Man
Hi Paraphrased by Mark ->

Available by mail order, available from website, special offers shown.

Steven Najda, Weathertec UK
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 10 Jul 2002 16:46
The Clean Screen Battle - Ombrello Man
Hi - no wind up. If you go to www.weathertec.co.uk you can find out about Ombrello (take a look at the video clips).

shortened by Mark

Cheers,
Steven Najda, Weathertec UK
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 10 Jul 2002 20:57
The Clean Screen Battle - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}
Sounds like Rain-ex; which I have tried on occasion on motorcycle helmet visors.
It does work as claimed- but I would rather look through a uniformly wet windscreen rather than one covered with beads of moisture.>> Its a battle that most have but seem prepared to put
up with - for whatever reason. We have a product called
Ombrello that puts an atomically thin but very durable coating on
the glass that seals it against contaminants and reduces friction. Its
hydrophobic properties repel water and water-borne debris - keeping screens cleaner
for longer with less need for whatever screen additives.
Ombrello has RAC Technicare approval, Police endorsements:"I would recommend this product
to anyone who takes their driving seriously" says Thames Valley Police
Casualty Reduction Officer. Even the Public Carriage Office have approved its
use for Licensed London Taxi cabs!
If you are not delighted by it, I will give you
your money back!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 11 Jul 2002 12:22
The Clean Screen Battle - Mark (RLBS)
David was exactly correct.

It seems to me that it is fine to point out a new product or service. To an extent it is ok to do so, even if you are the person offering/selling it.

However, once this advice is in place, it is inappropriate to begin showing prices and special offers. People can go to your website if they wish to know more.

So, I have cleaned out a few bits.............

The heading of the thread is returned to original.
The advice and website for products stands, the prices and offers do not.
Blatant advertising is also removed.

If you wish to offer this product through the Backroom, and you might be very welcome, you should first approach Martyn (BRM) or Honest John. Use the "Contact Us" button on the red panel to your left.

Thank you.


Mark (RLBS)
Moderator at Work

mailto:mark_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 11 Jul 2002 13:38
The Clean Screen Battle - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}
Just complained about the poor, juddering, wipers on my 2001 Passat Estate at it's first service.
The garage adjusted them - which made matters worse. No replacement blades are available off the shelf , being of a novel design.
I have tried all the tips for cleaning screens and blades, some made a difference for a short time. Sometimes they smooth out spontaneously after presumably picking up the usual slippery goo from the wet road.
Seem to remember that Bosch launched a new range of self lubricating wipers a few months ago , anyone tried them?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 11 Jul 2002 14:32
The Clean Screen Battle - Ian (Cape Town)
Glaikit -
I'm going to start a new thread about blades in the forum.
Mark (RLBS) - apologies if you feel it is a 'double-up" but...

(PS, what is a Scunner? I understand Naiff, but not Scunner)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 11 Jul 2002 23:09
The Clean Screen Battle - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}
Just complained about the poor, juddering, wipers on my 2001 Passat Estate at it's first service.
The garage adjusted them - which made matters worse. No replacement blades are available off the shelf , being of a novel design.
I have tried all the tips for cleaning screens and blades, some made a difference for a short time. Sometimes they smooth out spontaneously after presumably picking up the usual slippery goo from the wet road.
Seem to remember that Bosch launched a new range of self lubricating wipers a few months ago , anyone tried them?


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 12 Jul 2002 08:05
The Clean Screen Battle - Godfrey H {P}
Well, having read all the posts, (thank you everybody, the backroom at its best), I think a hunt for the elusive Clearalex crystals might be in order. Incidentally I submitted an enquiry to Auto-Glym via their web site asking about availability of their bodyshop glass cleaner still no reply after 10 days.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 26 Jul 2002 19:12
The Clean Screen Battle - chemist wanted - pmh
To remove some particularly glutinous resin from a hot fir tree on the the screen, I have just used Acetone. I was very careful to keep away from Rubber and paint work.

Any chemist out there who knows whether there are potential bad effects?

pmh (was peter)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 30 Jul 2002 10:06
The Clean Screen Battle - chemist wanted - blank
Peter:
I'm certain it won't do glass any harm - acetone is usually kept in glass bottles. I think you did the right thing keeping ot off the rubber bits.

hth
Andy
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 30 Jul 2002 12:07
The Clean Screen Battle - smiling1
If you're talking about Auto-Glym fast glass, you should be able to get it from Halfords. Incidentally, does everyone else use ordinary rubber cleaner to clean wiper blades?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 15 Dec 2011 16:13
The Clean Screen Battle - erlich

I have read and sympathise with everyone suffering screen smear!

I had the same problem on my Hyundai Coupe and tried everything mentioned in this thread,plus a few other more obscure ones,without success.

One posting caught my eye relating to the use of Halfords Glass Polisher.I remembered I had a capsule of glass polishing compound from www.scratchglass.com which I had used successfully to remove a scratch from a Fabia sceen about 2 years ago.

Anyhoo I tried this on the coupe and low and behold I now have an immaculate screen!

So there it is :- GLASS POLISH!!!!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 15 Dec 2011 17:13
The Clean Screen Battle - Chad.R

WOW!! - resurrecting a nearly 10 year old thread!! That must be a record :-)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 7 Mar 2016 19:09
The Clean Screen Battle - Fraggledweller
This is one of the most difficult things to solve - but I have cracked it. Here is the regime I used.



1- Clean the glass VERY CAREFULLY with HG Stove Glass Cleaner. This will remove a great deal of the ingrained dirt. Use a soft cloth to rub in, wearing gloves, then rinse copiously with gallons of water. This stuff must NOT get anywhere near your paint work.



2 - buy some TurtleWax Clearvue Glass Polish, and Provision Glass Scrub. Invest in a 150mm compound pad, and attach it to either a machine polisher or an orbital sander. Apply the Glass Scrub first to a wet screen as per the instructions, but utilising the compound pad and machine assistance. give it several passes, vertically, horizontally and diagonally. Then rinse copiously.



3- repeat, this time using the Clearvue Polish. Again, rinse copiously.



4- finish off with Nilglas glass cleaner, and blue paper towel roll.



5 - fit new wiper blades.



This has finally stopped the smearing which was beyond annoying. An hours work but well worth it.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 8 Mar 2016 11:34
The Clean Screen Battle - slkfanboy

Another rain X vote, no new wiper blades require and no problem.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 8 Mar 2016 12:38
The Clean Screen Battle - madf

Why spend money? Wash car with vinegar added to water. It removes dirt easily. Never had a problem with smearing.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link