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Need help removing bug & tar cleaner from windshield

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by co_prius_3, Jul 28, 2015.

  1. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    I made the mistake of using a bug and tar remover on the windshield to remove bugs. It left a permanent coating that makes it hard to see when the Sun hits it. Any suggestions for cleaning products that won't scratch the glass? The windshield is a non-OEM replacement, not the factory original.
     
    #1 co_prius_3, Jul 28, 2015
  2. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    ISO-PROPYL (rubbing) alcohol to remove the pine-tar, then 0000 steel-wool, followed by Rain-X. (see threads passim, plus youtube video)

    There's a vid on youtube (…isn't there always!) of exactly how it's done!
     
    #2 WilDavis, Jul 28, 2015
  3. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    Thanks, I'll try that.
     
    #3 co_prius_3, Jul 28, 2015
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I do not know about the steel wool. Maybe ok, but try on inconsequential corner first.

    Maybe try automotive glass cleaner, the spray can bodyshop stuff?
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Jul 28, 2015
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you use anything that can scratch, make sure you coat the glass with Windex before you use it
     
    #5 JC91006, Jul 28, 2015
  6. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    From what I've read, 0000 fine steel wool is safe on glass. Not 000, according to another thread.

    Here's a video that recommends using it dry before using a liquid cleaner.
     
    #6 co_prius_3, Jul 28, 2015
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2015
  7. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Let me get this straight.
    At this point you're NOT removing any bugs or pine tar.
    What you are trying to remove is some coating or haze left over as a byproduct of using Bug and Tar remover?

    Good Luck, I'm hoping the Bug and Tar remover didn't do some irreversible damage to the glass.

    Let us know how it goes.
     
    #7 The Electric Me, Jul 29, 2015
  8. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    Have you tried dishwashing soap, i.e. Dawn?
     
    #8 Den49, Jul 30, 2015
  9. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Kerosene removes road tars and bugs. Ammonia takes car of the rest.
     
    #9 frodoz737, Jul 30, 2015
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I used a kerosene moistened rag with a dollop of car polish, for tree pitch, worked best of all the things I tried.

    Still, hard to tell what's going on with this windshield.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Jul 30, 2015
  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    did you try to just wash the windshield with some dish soap? Also are you sure the glare is not coming from "interior" part of the windshield? I know my windshield needs to be wiped from the "inside". You can clean the outside all you want....it won't make improvements to the inside
     
    #11 JC91006, Jul 30, 2015
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  12. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    You can also try using a clay bar...
     
    #12 RRxing, Jul 30, 2015
  13. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    I tried the 0000 steel wool. It got close to 90% of the residue off without scratching AFAICT. I think it got less effective the more it picked up, so a second treatment might get the rest. I used it on the inside too, since that seemed to have a film. Now the windshield is clear even in direct sunlight.
     
    #13 co_prius_3, Aug 1, 2015
  14. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Who Knew! Steel Wool would clean glass. I always use industrial razor blades and Ivory dish soap deluded with water in a spray bottle to get really clean glass.
     
    #14 orenji, Aug 1, 2015
  15. CollinPark

    CollinPark Junior Member

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    have you driven in the rain after cleaning with steel wool?
    to the naked eye it may appear that there is no real difference, but when you scratch the surface, you introduce a change in the surface roughness, which basically changes the wetting properties of the glass.
    most car glass is finished with a hydrophobic post-treatment and if that's damaged driving in the rain will be a less pleasant experience. (there are spray on products if you accidentally removed it)


    I'm curious to know whether 0000 grade steel is good on that front
     
    #15 CollinPark, Aug 3, 2015
  16. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ugh, I would have started with car wax and followed up with Invisible Glass
     
    #16 wjtracy, Aug 3, 2015
  17. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Car detailer gave my mom this simple recipe.

    A shot of dish soap. A splatter of white vinegar. Hot water. Use one microfiber towel to apply and scrub. Use another one to dry glass.
     
    #17 qdllc, Aug 5, 2015
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  18. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    yeah microfiber is good idea too
     
    #18 wjtracy, Aug 5, 2015
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