Hello Sifus,

I have purchased a watermark removal from shopping centre last week and DIY to remove the watermarks on windscreeen. I have also applied Rain X after the cleaning.

The windscreen looks fine from outside. But, it is blur (wavy look, e.g. defect film) from inside and affecting my vision.

May I know what caused this? And, how to solve this??

The photo with timestamp at 2100 is taken from inside, the 2059 is taken from outside. The quality is not that good, I will upload the day time photos tomorrow.

This post has been edited by leeweixian88: Feb 9 2016, 09:55 PM

picture please

Picture will be clearer.

to check if ur windscreen is caused by outside or inside, use a damp cloth to wipe inside, if it is still blurry, that means it is from outside.

outside wise, either ur watermark removal liquid or the rain x u didnt buff off properly. use a clean dry cloth after its been washed n rebuff again.

is it the rainbow kind of blurness and quite irritating at night?

dont use rainx

It works fine with the side mirrors and side windows, except the front windscreen. As far, I have not applied on the rear windscreen. I will upload the photos tomorrow as the photo quality is not good at night.

@lifeless_creature, it is definitely not from internal. It has not issue before using the WM removal. I washed the glass again with car shampoo, and cleaned with WM removal. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.

Let me be the first to cast the stone to gather the ideas that might caused the problem. Would it possible that the windscreen coming with a coating, and the WM removal has damaged it?

P/S: My car is the latest model of Toyota Vios.

No, not because of light refraction. It looks wavy. Horizontal lines across the windscreen. It irritates regardless day time or night time.

I have re-washed the windscreen with car shampoo and WM removal. Not using Rain X this time round. No improvement at all

My old car windscreeen i buff with autosol. hahaha. Damn shiny.

Is the watermark removal contain ammonia or asid? What brand?

If it is not from the inside, then its from the outside; improper buffing of rainX will cause ur windscreen to have the hazziness/blur, as well as whatever the 'watermark removal' product you used earlier. Certain products has properties which we cannot wash away with just shampoo/water, therefore even after you have washed with shampoo, the "thing" will still be there...

Would it be sensitive if I am posting the brand name here? The product is Getf1 watermark removal. I believe it is acidic based, and does not contain ammonia (I think I saw this on the packaging).

P/S: I am not saying the product is not good. In fact, it works well on my side mirrors and side windows. My windscreen might be a special case that it might not compatible with the product.

Try use car polish. Yes gerf1 canuba is a good one. Else any brand would do.

Actually just use car polish would clean up everything. Dont use rainx anymore.

Since it was fine before your watermark removal + rain-X application.
Definitely one or the other is causing the problem.

Improper buffing of Rain-X can cause a hazy appearance, and just washing will not get the excess off.
But I mostly suspect the watermark remover... maybe it has also etched the windscreen glass (don't know how much you applied and how long it was left on)

If that's the case (glass etched) only solution is to change the windscreen to a new one.

I am also highly suspect the WM removal causing the blur. That is the worst scenario and I am afraid of - etching windscreen

I think I had the same issue, used that brand as well. I took it to the tint shop but after removing the tint layer it was the glass.

Use soap to wash off the remaining residue of WM removal. It should be clear.

If not, I suspect your window tint is causing the problem. As I know, cheap tint will have a blurry look to it.

as per rain x bottle instructions, your windscreen will haze.

if you cannot deal with the hazing until next rain (i'd prefer to just let it sit so the product will etch towards the windscreen for longer periods) then you may wipe it off via damp paper towel/cloth

assuming what you mention is true, then it is not caused by rain x.

if that is the case, your watermark removal product marred your windscreen. good luck polishing it back, it could be even worse.

Hello Silverware, mind to share how do u resolve the problem?? I do not think the tint will cause the problem. I am suspecting the problem is on the external windscreen.

wash with water ady still persist and you still think it's rain x? hahaha.

The acid watermark removal is never meant to be used on the wiper area of the front windscreen as there are scratches and stone chip. The acid will fill into the holes of the scratches and make it blurry. This is not the 1st time happened.

The remedy is to polish put the acid at the scratches by using heavy paint correction compound.
The pro will be using Meguair's m105 or Glass Compound such as Osren or CeriGlass

For Consumer - use the glass compound such as Soft 99 Glass Compound Z which is available at Brother's Kelana Jaya for about RM 30+. If that's too far, you may use Autosol Metal Polisher in toothpaste that is available in any hardware shop or hypermarket. It may cause micro (tiny) scratch, not naked eyes visible but against sun light as it is not meant for glass.

Be prepared to rub and rub (many rounds) to see improvement.

If left uncorrected, the blurriness will disappear after 1/2 year to 1 year time depending on the taken to dilute acid from the scratch. If you cant's wait and want a quick solution and willing to pay, is to sent to the pro detailing shop and the normal charges are between RM 150-RM 250.

Normally, the acid is only used when the glass is heavy stained . Acid is the fastest but not the safest way to clear watermark on windows.

The above are based on actual experience when used a similar acidic product brought at hypermarket.

This post has been edited by mot88: Feb 10 2016, 05:08 PM

I did not fully solve the problem but i think it got lesser over time.

It is the windscreen, what i meant was i initially thought the tint was the issue.

How good is Soft 99 based on your experience?

Many thanks Mot88. Will send the car to expert this time round. But what would this treatment called? Any car saloon will do the job or must be a specific car saloon?

OIC, thought u resolved the problem. Thanks for sharing Bro.

Soft 99 is the best consumer product specifically formulated for glass compound and the price is cheap compared to professional product but still behind Autosol metal polisher in term of cutting ability.

If pro product (Carpro/Meguair's/Osren) = 100%, Soft 99 Glass Compound Z is 70% and Autosol is 75 to 80%. All glass compound will contain Cerium Oxide, suspect Soft 99 contain it as it is orange in color but unable to find the spec of it.

leeweixian88, I don't have any recommendation for car detailing shop.

This post has been edited by mot88: Feb 11 2016, 07:50 PM

You may try toothpaste, try on small area, need some elbow grease.

Went to car saloon for windscreen treatment, tried WM removal and compound, the windscreen still the same. No improvement. The supervisor suspect the Rain X residues had etched the windscreen. Worst case scenario, change a new windscreen.

Can you snap a photo from the outside? As in the windscreen condition from the outside.

This post has been edited by Thrust: Feb 13 2016, 04:48 PM

From what I've experienced,
it's because you use the same towel/cloth to apply WM remover then cleaning the windscreen. it got worst for a while when you switch on the wiper right?

To repair this,
you will just have to polish the windscreen that is all

I had separated them - Using sponge for WM removal, wet cloth with running water to wipe it off. In fact, it works better in raining day. It formed a water film and the condition is not bad.

Tried to polish with compound, but looks like no improvement at all.

The dust stain and water stain are off from the windscreen. But, at a closer view, u will notice that the surface is not that even - like the surface of Moon. Suspect that the chemical had marred the windscreen.

The car saloon suspect the Rain X causing the problem as it is a strong chemical. I have a doubt on this as I have been using Rain X for years. The possibility might be the WM removal does not compatible with rain repellant.

Looks fine from the outside though.

The camera cannot capture the surface nicely.

leeweixian88, quite a number of ppl was like your predicament back years ago. I was digging up old posts where acid WM removal was the rave back then.

http://autoworld.com.my/forum/index.php?/t...ter-mark/page-4

Read through page 1 to page 3. The participants in this forum are individuals who are passionate with detailing
http://autoworld.com.my/forum/index.php?/t...dscreen-polish/

As elaborated, the blur/ white spot will clear in due time and just matter of time, in months , not years). Not sure what compound that the car saloon used but Meguiar's Professional line M105 (Meguair's Ultra Cut Compund) is one of the used and abrasive compound at that time. Now there is a new product M101 (Meguiar's Foam Cut Compund) which much more abrasive than M105. Professional line is usually used with machine, cannot unleash 100% of power if used by hand.

I m not sure if you are willing to spent more money to go to car saloon who use M105 or M101 for polish or seek the windscreen replacement route as discussed also in the above thread (2nd link).

If you choose to replace the windscreen, important point to, avoid driving the car if possible or else go slow on hump ,uneven surface during the glue curing process (up to 12 hours). Why? Coz, the windscreen is subject to vibration pending hardening of glue and any big impact will cause the siting of windscreen to shift a bit and gap.
If there is a gap, it you will hear a slight sound of wind coming in (when you off yr radio) when doing 110km/h and above.

I hope you would make a sound decision based on the above information.

I went through the post before. But, my case is different from what had mentioned. I got no haze effect on my windscreen. I think my windscreen is etched by the chemical. As mentioned in the post earlier, the surface likes Moon.

The car saloon had done some tests on the WM removal and rain repellent that I used and found out that the both chemicals are not compatible. Rinsing water is not sufficient to clear the WM removal. A car shampoo is needed. The WM removal residue is then mixed with rain repellant and etching the windscreen.

I am waiting the supplier of WM removal to provide a solution. Perhaps, they can help on this. Meanwhile, the car saloon also helping to figure out how to resolve this. They had tried polish with compound, but has no effect. No yet try the more abrasive compound, afraid it will scratch the windscreen.

I've used this Soft99 Glass Stain Cleaner to remove watermarks and 1 year old Ultra Glaco coating on my windscreens... Very good...

http://www.soft99.co.jp/english/products/c....html?pid=05066

You can also try Soft99 Glass Compound Z like what mot88 suggested... You can find it at Autobacs Klang or Eneos...

This post has been edited by blurjoey: Feb 15 2016, 11:17 AM

TS, it will get better over time. I was like you initially trying all sort of ways but eventually after few years, it seemed to have been better. I suspect the car washing and polishing of the glass once in a while removes it over time. Lately I'm using Rain X for the windscreen and it seems ok.

Since that day, i never used any watermark removal products.

I encountered exactly the same issue with my wife Estima 2-3 mths ago, bought the water stain mark removal liquid and applied on side windows + windscreen.

And voila, I hit the jackpot for the windscreen that the white mart was so so apparent where I could hardly see clearly when driving at night. Then there was a guy in Skudai (I am from JB) offered to solve the problem for me. He used 3-4 diff type of compounds to polish the windscreen for me. Spent RM130 and my problem settled.

Expensive lesson. I hope your problem is not too serious that not the entire windscreen is infected. Else the glass specialist will charged quite a lot. Mine was only infected at drivers area, about 10% of the total windscreen (estima has a BIG windscreen) and yet paid RM130 for the job done.

It seems like getting better now. In fact, the bubbles are getting bigger.

Fed up, waiting the supplier to provide the solution.

I also have the white marks on the wiper area, but it was solved easily by polishing it. But, this does not solve my problem. Because, the chemical has eroded the glass, causing uneven surface on the windscreen. The bubbles can only be visible through the reflection on the screen.

yup, that's why I said you need GLASS polish, not normal polish.

Any recommendation for this? I called few glass specialist but they no longer provide that service.

can i ask if driving at night

the screen produce special glare, instead of the actual light glare, i mean glare from windscreen itself.

can you try soft99 polish, apply a little bit at small affected area,say cigarette box size.

wait 10mins, use damp clothes lightly buff off.

then see if you can get clearer view.

easiest and CHEAPEST way to remove watermark or tar, or hard stains from car paint, or glass.... use rubbing alcohol. you can buy from pharmacy (they use it to clean wounds too) or kitchen supply stores. cheap and cleans VERY well. try it and you will never need to go waste money at "specialized" water remover vendors.

How's everything bro?

I also kena,

Tried all,

No choice but to replace d

Lowyatforum

This post has been edited by IReallyNeed Answers: Jun 6 2017, 07:05 PM

Sorry for bring back such a old topic.

But this just happened to me when I applied WM removal just a few days ago.

Dear Sifus,

really need all your expertise, and help.

recently i brought a watermark cleaner online,

so once it arrive, i pun apply la,

spray wipe, repeat.

but when it dried.... (sorry image abit big)




any way to restore it?

anything i can do?

the seller promise to refund, but that small amount aint gonna help much, i just want my windscreen back!

help

I have same prob for years with my wife's car
the white marks is really annoying when we drive during raining time at night.. (the spot mark appear when running the wiper, it occurred at driver side view only)

I never use any WM removal all this while..
but my wife maybe tried some kind like Rain-X b4

past 2 weeks I use Joy Dish Liquid and brush it with Scoth-Brite (non-scratch type), it it does improve..
now still monitoring..

is it windscreen prob ? or it is a tar/stain instead that cannot be removed by normal car shampoo ?

rainbow blur is it when ur wiper wipe, it like got rainbow color stivk on ur windscreen? then awhiel disappear again,,,

after use soft99 glass stain cleaner must use ultra glaco to coating?? if only use stain cleaner dunwan coating can?

Can but water won't bead anymore during rain just to let you know...

oohhh... but i use liao hor and no apply glaco coating, when use cloth rub on screen or wiper swipe, will see like rainbow color on winscreen

Crap used waxco watermark removal. Result is the wiper area a lot of white marks, most of it seems to correlate with previous watermark area

Haih cannot remove. Even send to detailing center they tried to polish also cannot. Did i just destroyed my windscreen


Attached thumbnail(s)

Had same problem when sent to watermark removal by some shop in ipoh.even sent back to tint shop initially bcos suspect tint problem.the problem is more obvious during night bcos light glare appear vertical.see pic

well, experienced on this. to make it happen.....the best is have to wait for hot weather to apply with totally dry environment (with DRY CLOT as well).
Most of the time if it don dry fast will happen like that or with wet condition when apply (After wash).
make sure the screen is clean, kao kao bagi. surely can work.

i would never trust those no brand home made watermarks removal. there is a lot in facebook.

I used this and its proven. the only issue is - after polish/wiping, need to clean off immediately.

http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/prod...r-spot-remover/

I did so many swirl and scratches on my windscreen after use sponge and watermark removal products...before this use microfibre cloth ok no problem

Quite a trouble at night, vision badly affected and undriveable at night

To make it short and want settle fast, i just hammered my windscreen and claim insurance.

sofar no good experience, dad went car wash shop did removal.
result is ruin night driving

No luck after polish glass using normal polish compound. Watermark product clearly says not to apply at wiper area .sigh

********************************
I am facing same issue dan problem after I used Watermark Remover.

Previously, some used Meguairs M105 and machine polish off the blurring due to acid. Can also try to use commercial alkaline based cleaner (such as EP Eco- Kleen sold at HomePro at tiles section) to neutralise the acid. The blurness will disappear after months, usually 6 to 12 months if nothing is done.

This post has been edited by mot88: Apr 4 2018, 11:47 AM

I use watermark removal occasionally to clear my Vios windscreen every half a year, I am resolve this issue follow these steps: http://www.carreviewsncare.com/auto-glass-...ks-remover-diy/

Sorry to bring up this old topic as I have similar issue as well.

By early this year, I changed my wiper to BOSCH Aerotwin Wiper Blade early this year and the screen is in perfect clean condition during raining except no repel water effect. Recently I used the Soft 99 Glass Stain Cleaner to polish the clean and windscreen, then following by applying Soft99 Glaco Ultra hope to improve the water repellent effect.

After that, by the next day, I realized that the wiper leave full of tiny haze like lines in both direction, but the lines disappeared in second. If at early morning cool weather, the lines could stay for few seconds before disappear. I'm not sure if this is what people called it as smearing. Don't think the lines are caused by my wiper as it's perfectly clean before this.

To test it further, I tried to remove the water repellent effect using Soft 99 Glass Stain Cleaner again, and using it to clean the wiper blade as well. Now the water repellent effect is gone, but the tiny lines effect still there. Worst case is now the running wiper leave some sort of 'white' mark on about 70% of the windscreen, seemed like due to oil or wax. This white mark will disappear in few seconds if I stopped the wiper from running. I tried to change my wiper back to the old one today, but seemed still the same, with temporary tiny lines and white oil mark.

I will try to use another windscreen polisher to clean the screen again this weekend to see if any help on it. Quite annoying especially with the white mark on screen, can't see it clearly during raining day.

Not sure if anyone of you have idea on how to solve it?

Did you resolve this finally?

Guys, here is my advice. I had this issue as well after stupidly applied VAL watermark removal on front windscreen. I could see that terrible white marks/haze under direct sunlight, and during night it was too much of glare against any upcoming lights....

i tried Amway Polish, Meguiar Wax, Dish drops liquids, and so on..
Nothing worked.

The only method which worked for me was... To polish the windscreen using Cerium Oxide powder (you can google or there are some youtube videos).. it is a chemical powder (orange in color) and it is used to remove minor scratches on any glass surface. It is safe, not acid. I did this at a car wash shop in Shah Alam Sek 20. Just need a polisher machine and buff the surface (screen) using cerium oxide powder + water. Must be done in wet condition. Dont let it dry while buffing, add water from time to time.

There is one local company selling this powder (cerium oxide glass polishing powder) online Shopee/FB. Factory is located in Puchong.

Kleenson Glass Powder.

If you buy from China via online, it is much cheaper + more quantity. But you have to wait for shipment.

I did this and my screen is 80 - 90% better now.

Thanks~~ It is good to know that it can be repaired by using cerium oxide glass polishing powder. May I know whether you polished your screen with rotary tool? Or just rub by hand?

old thread bumped.

i have the same issue now after using a watermark remover from Shopee. left windscreen has blurry light bluish patches, in the shape of the movement of wipers.

l tried 3 cleaners, dish washing liquid etc. no use at all.
very frustrating now.

lets hope it goes away in montha as suggested by pals above.

sory bump old thread. just a spot of my windscreen has this problem now. luckily i tried it at top area (where dark tint is) so it didnt affect my vision. watermark remover bought at shopee. it works for all other windows. just for windscreen it kind of damaged the surface.

mikehwy, did u manage to solve it with the cerium powder?

Hello, sorry for bumping up this thread. I have also encountered this problem. The watermark remover I used is from waxco and it stated there can be used in windscreen and nw my windscreen is ruined. Does anyone configured out any solution?

I come across this thread and realized many of us encounter the side effects after using the watermark remover / cleaner.

So far any good alternatives that are able to remove the watermark without having any problem?
My perception is IPA (Isopropylachohol) which is good in removing most of the dirty, but I am not sure for the watermark which could be the hard water that rich with minerals and impurities.

Anyone tried (diluted/non) bleach?

This post has been edited by Holyjolly: Jan 4 2021, 09:52 AM

You can try using DA or Rotary using glass polish like Carpro Ceriglass or Osren 04A to polish. By hand not sure if can be fixed, even machine also not guaranteed cause those waxco type is acid type, it seeps into the pits and wiper trails of the windshield. I always use those proper glass polish to polish glass instead of acid type.

Tried IPA before, it does nothing for waterspot haha. Just use proper glass polish to polish. Safer and cheaper in the long run.
.

Meguiar's ultimate compound.

Tried on my mom's myvi which got rust mark and water spot on the windshield. Clears everything. Applied with polisher, using manual by hand is too labor intensive. It is supposed to be really mild abrasive, so it should be safe.

This evening tried it again on my windshield to remove some weird oily spot. After the application, it seems that the compound has revealed numerous small chips on the windshield. It's a 13 years old car, so maybe it's normal and wasn't caused by the compound.

This post has been edited by Steponlego: Jan 4 2021, 10:22 PM

Ultimate compound works with tinted screen?
Will not ruin the tint? Got after side effects?

no idea. i don't think my car have tinted film on the outside.