I am constantly having to wipe the outside of my windscreen to remove a film that builds up, making it hard to see through when its raining, even with new blades, its like driving with a slightly fogged up interior.

I think it could possibly be a build up of wax from the jet wash, as I know sometimes the person before me waxes there's and there is wax residue left in the pipes

Any tips for a nice clear view

A good wash with a bucket of hot water and then a dry.

Follow it up with the Autoglym Intensive glass cleaner or halfords glass cutter and it works wonders.

Failing that after washing try spraying some APC (All Purpose Cleaner) onto a damp Microfibre cloth and wipe the screen over. Add more APC to the cloth as needed and then give it a wipe over and dry over with a clean MF cloth.

The best cleaner for getting greasy film and insect remains off the windscreen is...

Toothpaste!

Not the modern gel stuff - the old fashioned white paste. The cheaper the better - supermarket own brand economy range stuff is pretty good! Apply it all over the windscreen with a damp cloth giving it a good hard rub as you go. Then hose it off and finish off with a chamois leather.

Honest it works! Used it many times - in fact I have a tube with my car cleaning stuff in the shed. Much better than expensive Autoglym stuff

A good wash with a bucket of hot water and then a dry.

Follow it up with the Autoglym Intensive glass cleaner or halfords glass cutter and it works wonders.

Failing that after washing try spraying some APC (All Purpose Cleaner) onto a damp Microfibre cloth and wipe the screen over. Add more APC to the cloth as needed and then give it a wipe over and dry over with a clean MF cloth.

.... as recommended above,

but then treat the screen, plus all other windows, with RainX, Rain Wizard, Mer Rain Away, or similar water repellent. They not only provide clearer visibility when it rains and help keep the screen clean by restricting any build up of dirt, but also act as a frost inhibitor.

I hate rainX myself and use aquapel instead, however as long as you find something you like. The Mer one did get a good review somewhere and Baker21 uses the halfords one too.

rainX now do a combined glass cleaner with the treatment in it.

I found it's excellent - easy to apply and none of that multipart application nonsense. Only thing is the effect doesn't seem to last quite as long but is more than compensated by speed off applying. Bought it in Halfrauds (can't find online though). I'm sure there are similar competitor products.....

Edited 22 October, 200817 yr by scoobynut

I hate rainX myself and use aquapel instead, however as long as you find something you like. The Mer one did get a good review somewhere and Baker21 uses the halfords one too.

I used to use Rain Wizard (had a useful mushroom shaped applicator) until Halfords stopped selling it; have now been using Mer Rain Away for the last 2 years or so. It is pretty good and last fairly well; I reapply to windscreen every three months.

put some vinegar in your screenwash, it cuts through grease - no worries

A proper clean and 2 coats of aquapel ( thanks Jason ) have lasted over 12 months, and are only just beginning to fail.

Excellent stuff

I've had very good results (ie a really "sqeaky" clean windscreen) using Amway metal polish (applied with a wet cloth, rinse very well, and wash any residue off your bodywork if you don't like the look of white powder). It seems to cut through most scum and grime. It does actually look and feel like old style toothpaste (and even comes in a squeeze tube).

I used to be a Rain-X enthusiast (10+ years of use), but noticed that if you don't re-apply very regularly the windscreen would go slimy more frequently after 2-4 weeks, particularly in cold weather. Getting my van windscreen clear enough to drive after camping in the frost was a right royal PITA with Rain-X.

These days I'm getting better results with aquapel, which is lasting much longer (3 months so far and it is still working fine), and much better in cold (frosty) weather. If I had to be really picky I would say the Rain-X has slightly better water repelling performance when it is just applied, but only for the first 3-4 days. From then on aquapel seems superior.

put some vinegar in your screenwash, it cuts through grease - no worries

:eek:

:eek:

in the olden days, people used to clean there windows with newspaper with a dab of vinegar on!

in the olden days, people used to clean there windows with newspaper with a dab of vinegar on!

Absolutely correct but as my old man used to say "there's a big difference between scratching your ar5e and ripping a hole in it!"

Wiping the windscreen with a cloth or newspaper moistened with vinegar makes sure the stuff stays on your windscreen and any film left will evaporate.

Putting vinegar (= acetic acid) in your screen wash means you are spraying acid all over the front of your car with rivers of the stuff flowing all over the bodywork seeking out any little imperfections in the paint to start corrosion.

put some vinegar in your screenwash, it cuts through grease - no worries

totally agree with vinegar, get a tissue and soak it in vinegar, wipe the wiper blades with it till they are clean and smooth. then do the windows from one side to the other and then you should have a streak and grease free window.

but i dont agree about adding it into your screenwash as you be better off using some stuff from a vag dealership especially if its a fan spray as it will invalid your warrenty without the stuff.

Absolutely correct but as my old man used to say "there's a big difference between scratching your ar5e and ripping a hole in it!"

Wiping the windscreen with a cloth or newspaper moistened with vinegar makes sure the stuff stays on your windscreen and any film left will evaporate.

Putting vinegar (= acetic acid) in your screen wash means you are spraying acid all over the front of your car with rivers of the stuff flowing all over the bodywork seeking out any little imperfections in the paint to start corrosion.

it would be a good way to test the 12yr anti corrosion warranty though

I've seen some superconcentrated winter wash at the local VW dealer, really itching to give it a try now that this thread reminded me of it. Rather cheap too.

I saw this test in the latest Autoexpress: -

Rain repellant test | Products | Auto Express