Film on outside of windshield
 

Have I got a good one! My '04 TL has gotten a "film" of something adhered to the outside of the windshield. It is only in the area where wipers sweep. Other areas of the windshield or OK. I have been told it is from the drive thru car wash. Of course they say it is not caused by them. I have tried everything I have read about and been told to use including: Windshield cleaner, vinegar and water, nail polish remover, paint thinner, Bon Ami, Coca Cola, etc.! I have talked to the people at The Tire Rack where I bought the Valeo wiper blades from and they said it might be from the car wash. I talked to the car wash and they said they didn't think they caused it because it is only in the wiper blade sweep area, not the whole windshield! When driving toward the sun or at night, light shinning on the windshield causes two BRIGHT holograms(?) to form in my line of sight! If anyone has a solution or has ever had this problem, please let me know! Right now I am scheduled to have the windshield replaced for $250. I certainly don't want it to happen on the new one!

have you took it to a glass shop? i've never heard of that before though sorry..

I haven't taken it to a glass shop yet, but will tomorrow. The manager at the car wash said he had never seen anything like that. I have been driving 30+ years, some years were 40-50k miles a year and I have never had anything like this. I've had bugs, road grime, diesel fuel, oil, whatever, but never anything that wouldn't come off no matter what I try.

can we get some pictures?

Are you sure it is not fine scratches? Glass can actually produce the hologram type reflections if it has been scratched.

How can I paste them on here?

Nope, not scratches. It is a gray, mottled(sp) film like. But it is "glued" on. Along with everything else I have tried, I tried a razor blade with no success! I will post some pictures as soon as I figure out how! HaHa!!

Not sure if your situation is the same as mine but under the right conditions, I would put my wipers on and I could barely see through the area the wipers covered. There was some kind of film on the glass and after the wipers were off, it would take a few seconds before the glass would clear. I tried many of the same solutions that you tried but what finally worked for me was to use a fine rubbing compound (used for polishing automotive paint) and lots of elbow grease. I did a small area, put the wipers on with spray and noted that the small area I worked on came out clear, no film. I then completed the rest of the windshield successfully. I would recommend a power polisher to do this as a fair amount of work was required. Other forums have indicated that this happens for various reasons where water/moisture is left to dry on the windshield without being wiped off.

Thanks, Fred! I will give the rubbing compound a try and let you know how it works. I would like to post the pictures I have, but can't find out how to attach them. Can anyone tell me how? Thanks!

I have some pictures on the "Photo Gallery". Take a look and let me know what you think. Thanks!

try using some rubbing compound on the windshield. If that doesn't work, try a clay bar and see if that helps it.

Judging from the first picture, it does look like water spots. Info I gathered from other forums have indicated that the water can contain minerals/chemicals (acid rain) that if left on the glass (not wiped off), can etch the glass and that is why it is difficult to remove. If the rubbing compound/bar clay does not work, some people have had the windshield power polished but too much polishing can cause imperfections on the glass. If the windshield is bad enough, it will require replacing.

Well guys, I tried the rubbing compound and clay bar ideas this morning without any success. I am just going to replace it. I can't imagine what caused it only in the wiper coverage area. Outside of that area and the rest of the car everything is fine. Thanks for your help and suggestions!

Some glass polish, a rotary buffer and a wool pad will fix it.