Maintenance & Repair Archives Note: This section will be merged in with the other tech areas soon, and is now closed

WTF is this haze on my windows?

 
Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 23, 2002 | 08:38 AM
  #1  
Mohamed's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, CA
Angry WTF is this haze on my windows?

See this is why I need to pay someone to wash my truck! Sheesh! Everytime I wash my car and then try to clean the interior and I think I got everything, the next day I am still left with this haze on my windshield that makes the road glarry. And the thing is, this haze is only wiped off with my hand, my damn red terry cloth won't work on clearing the haze off. Is this windex residue? Sorry I didn't take a picture.
Old Sep 23, 2002 | 09:01 AM
  #2  
AZTOY's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: ARIVACA AZ
the haze

This may sound funny but the best thing i found for clean windows is news papers Works Great
Old Sep 23, 2002 | 09:24 AM
  #3  
Cebby's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,199
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Windows

I've been using a product called ClearVue autoglass cleaner that works great. However, I don't think the cleaning product you are using is the problem. I'm with AZTOY, newspaper works great. The only downside is you get news print all over you hands. I did that method for a good while when I competed on the sound scene. I've since been using those glorified blue paper towels they call shop towels. The trick is to not try to stretch how many windows you can get from each sheet. For example, I use 1 on each inside door window, two on the inside of each of the cargo windows, and 3 on the inside of the windshield. I use an equal amount on the exterior. I use enough cleaner to wet the window, but I don't saturate it to the point where its flowing down into the weather stripping. Anyway, that's what works for me.

Something else that could be causing the streaking is if the towel you are using is picking up any protectant (Armor All, etc) from adjacent surfaces. Personally, I've never been happy with the cleaning results of using a cloth towel. Just my 2 cents.
Old Sep 23, 2002 | 10:28 AM
  #4  
kctopher's Avatar
Co-Founder/Administrator
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 0
From: KC-MO
Back when I worked for Toyota every tercel had a real bad problem with this. I was told it's because the dash (and plastic parts), that when in direct sun (and windows up) it will emit this gas that creates a film that is only noticeable on the interior windows..

Sounds crazy I know, but your car might do that for a while because its new....
Old Sep 23, 2002 | 10:43 AM
  #5  
data's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
i have that exact same problem! i will wipe that stuff off and then the next morning/nite, I will notice that it is there again!


:wtf:
Old Sep 23, 2002 | 11:52 AM
  #6  
hawkdog21's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
ME TOO, the haze really pisses me off. It also happens when i use Rain-X
Old Sep 23, 2002 | 03:50 PM
  #7  
rowan's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: maine
have you ever tried the armorall window wipes? i use their protectant wipes all the time, and they are AWESOME.... but on my windows.. well i havnt cleaned those at all yet, but id probably just use a rag and some water maybe. but might try out some of those armorall window wipes.

if you have used those let me know what you think. thanks.
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 08:21 AM
  #8  
mark from uk's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Moulton Lincolnshire England
If you live or drive in a city then it is probably smog
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 10:04 AM
  #9  
Mohamed's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, CA
Originally posted by mark from uk
If you live or drive in a city then it is probably smog
lol...probably not, SMOG is HC+CO2, NOx, and particulate matter, unless my windows is sporting a 405 block, I seriously doubt it!
Old Sep 24, 2002 | 12:39 PM
  #10  
Bob_98SR5's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
Mohamed:

KCtopher is right---its the plastic they use which gives off a chemical that adheres to the window quite well, as you have experienced.

On the Toyota owner's club website (yes, on their corporate website), they have a little FAQ on this. I remember reading it a few years ago.

My wife has a 95 Camry that does the same thing. I can't stand it and like Cebby, I purchsed those Armor All Window Wipes. Those things kick butt, but I wonder how long the moisture will last in this blarsted CA heat!

Bob
Old Sep 25, 2002 | 07:24 AM
  #11  
cpw2002's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Englewood, Fla
I used a damp paper towel and applied white vinegar to the towel, cleaned window and wiped with a dry paper towel. The windows came clean for me.

It felt almost like a grease. I thought it was a protective coating used by the glass manufacturer to maybe keep from scratching. Your explanation sounds better.

There are windex wipes now, the main ingredient is ammonia but should also work well. The vinegar doesn't streak or get cloudy.
Old Oct 7, 2002 | 05:40 PM
  #12  
Dandeman's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill, NC
Haze from the Plastics

It's called outgassing.. Its the more aromatic solvents used in plastic that gasses out when heated..

Don't know about the product advertised here, but the link explains the problem fairly well http://www.nuviewplus.com/about.html

Learned about this stuff in the computer industry as the plastics inside your computer does the same thing, only there, the concern is this mess getting in connectors and causing intermittent problems.. good quality connectors are designed to cut thru deposited films as they are plugged together. This link illustrates another example of the concern http://www.boedeker.com/outgas.htm

When all this stuff has gassed out of the plastic, that is when it becomes brittle and cracks.. think of it as your plastic dash slowly evaporating away... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Did some google searching and this article http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/T...5/bodies03.htm (of all things on the plastics used in slot cars) was most informative. ABS is commonly used plastic in the interior of vehicle.. It's now easy to tell as for recycling reasons, if you look on the back side of almost any plastic part, you'll see "ABS" stamped on it..

Last edited by Dandeman; Oct 7, 2002 at 06:18 PM.
Old Oct 25, 2002 | 04:40 AM
  #13  
SLC Punk's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,862
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT
Originally posted by Bob_98SR5
Mohamed:

KCtopher is right---its the plastic they use which gives off a chemical that adheres to the window quite well, as you have experienced.

On the Toyota owner's club website (yes, on their corporate website), they have a little FAQ on this. I remember reading it a few years ago.

My wife has a 95 Camry that does the same thing. I can't stand

Bob
I also heard the same thing that Bob and CKtopher said before. Anyways I clean my winshield 2 times a week.

I think that all toyota's do it because my mom's 2003 Lexus ES300, my 93 camry, my sisters 2001 camry, and my bro's 02 IS300 all do the same thing!! Its a Toyota curse.
Old Oct 25, 2002 | 04:43 PM
  #14  
Jeff's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Florida
I don't think it's a Toyota thing. Every aout I have had since around 1990 has done it.
89 Mazda 323
95 Toyota Corolla
97 Mustang Convertible
2000 Chevy Silverado
2002 4Runner (Wifes)

Jeff
Old Oct 28, 2002 | 05:25 PM
  #15  
L33T35T 4Runner's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 0
From: Fountain Valley, CA (so cali)
Re: the haze

Originally posted by AZTOY
This may sound funny but the best thing i found for clean windows is news papers Works Great


yup, works great.
Old Nov 11, 2002 | 06:43 PM
  #16  
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
what about putting a dashmat on it , will that help with the outgassing of the dash or atleast filter it some
Old Nov 11, 2002 | 08:17 PM
  #17  
Mack's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
From: Sidney by The Sea, British Columbia, Canada
If you don't want newsprint on your hands you can use buthers paper
Old Nov 21, 2002 | 12:13 PM
  #18  
Outkast`'s Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Originally posted by AZTOY
This may sound funny but the best thing i found for clean windows is news papers Works Great
__________________________________________________ __

Yup...this will keep you haze free

Outkast`

Old Nov 21, 2002 | 07:17 PM
  #19  
03DCTACO's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
You guys otta try love bug season in Florida or fall when the trees start sappin. YUCK!!! Clean the damn windows daily
Old Nov 22, 2002 | 05:28 AM
  #20  
Mohamed's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, CA
Originally posted by Outkast`
Originally posted by AZTOY
This may sound funny but the best thing i found for clean windows is news papers Works Great
__________________________________________________ __

Yup...this will keep you haze free

Outkast`

Do you guys straight shot use the newspaper or do you spray with windex also? It came back again this week so i am going to clean once again this weekend.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RDubya
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
5
Feb 10, 2017 04:46 PM
PNW94Runner
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
3
Sep 29, 2015 02:55 PM
tazman1972
General Electrical & Lighting Related Topics
11
Sep 28, 2015 10:32 PM
punks_is_4x4
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
2
Sep 19, 2015 05:52 AM
mat
93-98 T100s
2
Sep 17, 2015 11:18 PM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:31 AM.