2011 Tesla Roadster 2.5 edition from Florida. Full factory warranty. Front window has developed an oily residue on the inner windshield ever since I began to use A/C and front defogger. Reminiscent of build-up you might see in car with small coolant leak to defroster, but no coolant odor in car and coolant level seems constant in rear battery reservoir. Is this a coolant leak, an oil leak, or is it something else that is less sinister? Anyone else have this issue? Thanks, T
A trick passed on from an Elise mechanic is to apply Rainex all over the inside of the windshield. Keep applying as needed. What's happening is that the plastic is off-gassing and leaving the residue on the window. I did one application of Rainex over a year ago and never needed to do it again, oily residue hasn't appeared since.
Great News! I'm a great fan of Rainex, so I have plenty here. Application with old style Rainex is annoying and I switched to the stuff in the windshield fluid, but for this problem I'm happy to revert back. Much Appreciated, T
Baking in the sun off-gasses the residue of the detailing cleaners that give such a nice look when you get your car back. Soon the inside of windshield is coated with greasy stuff which takes a few cleanings to remove. In fact I don't think I ever completely removed it. I'm looking for a sponge on a 2 ft handle at some housewares dept to make this chore easier btw if these exist. --
Yes, they absolutely exist as I own one with removable microfiber washable clothes. I may have bought at an auto store or Bed Bath and Beyond. Not hard to make. Just get a microfiber clothe and use a Swiffer handle if you can't find the commercially available ones.
Here's one that I've used and it works great - http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/window+cleaner+set.do?sortby=ourPicks&page=2
I was told when Ford had this issue with the Pinto (I never owned one!) to use Bon Ami polishing cleanser to remove it.
I had this issue with my VW. I used a dry towels to 'absorb' as much as possible. Then I used real 409 (quite a good degrease, and generally very compatible with plastics). Then finally Windex to get the windscreen clean. Took about 2 - 3 iterations over 6 months to get the windshield to stay clean. I've also heard that interior RainX works wonders. I have not tried it myself though.
Not sure about that idea. Bon Ami has feldspar & limestone powder in it that could scratch your glass.
I get this every summer. Just clean it off with Invisible glass as part of my regular cleaning regimen.
I've never had a car that didn't do this. I found that a soft tube sock actually works surprisingly well to clean it off. I tend to just grab whatever is handy to clean it off whenever it starts to annoy me, and for now, the tube sock I pulled out of a backpack filled with clothes is the defending champion.
Hi, I have a similar problem. I once cleaned my windscreen with C-Thru on the outside aswell as the inside. Since then +- after 2 days my inner windscreen aswell as the back one starts this thick, foggy oily like streaks. I have tried sunlight with vineger, window lean, purple spirits, etc. It comes off cleaner like never before but after 2 days its back again. Could someone please tell me what to use or should I rather replace the windows?
When the car is new, the outgassing of the carpets and upholstery is going to do that. After a while it becomes less of a problem. The Chemical Guys window cleaner gets it off well enough. If you park indoors, open the hatch and windows so that some of the outgassing exits the car.
I find that the aerosol glass cleaners do a better job than Windex. Auto detail shops seem to favor them as well.