Smeary windscreen

[Supperonthebeach]

hi
Our new cali is fine in the dry but in rainy weather the wipers seem to just smear the water, it only clears once the rain stops and the water dries. Makes driving in the rain difficult. Is this a common problem? Was something left on the screen by the dealership? Any ideas please?
Thanks!

 

[Van Diesel VW]

Have you tried cleaning the windscreen with a good auto product such as fast glass by atuoglym. Also give the wipe blades a wipe over.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I have not had that problem with my new Ocean.

In the past, my VW technician suggested cleaning both screen and blades (as previous post) with a good quality, but neat, screenwash. Microfibre clothes seem to work the best.

 

[Meoncoast]

hi
Our new cali is fine in the dry but in rainy weather the wipers seem to just smear the water, it only clears once the rain stops and the water dries. Makes driving in the rain difficult. Is this a common problem? Was something left on the screen by the dealership? Any ideas please?
Thanks!

Is your van new or just new to you? just browsing on your profile.
if a van second-hand has a good washer fluid in the tank and what are the wiper blades' condition.
If new if I would give the screen a good wash and clean including the wiper blades.

 

[ArunAlec]

I would try AutoGlym Car Glass Polish. I have been using it and it seems to work And removes the stuff that the cleaners don‘t seem to touch.

Remove minor scuffs, scratches and marks with Autoglym products

Browse our wide range of Polish & Scratches online. Autoglym world leading car care experts since 1965. Shop Polish & Scratches online now.

www.autoglym.com

 

[kurienp]

I would try AutoGlym Car Glass Polish. I have been using it and it seems to work And removes the stuff that the cleaners don‘t seem to touch.

Remove minor scuffs, scratches and marks with Autoglym products

Browse our wide range of Polish & Scratches online. Autoglym world leading car care experts since 1965. Shop Polish & Scratches online now.

www.autoglym.com

I second the use of the autoglym car glass polish. My other car had a smearing issue. It was so bad that I had to apply it twice and since then it's been good.

Takes some good amount of elbow grease if you don't have a polisher.

 

[Hawthorn37]

Agree with above posts. That said, I’ve noticed the drivers side blade on our van has started juddering on part of its stroke - must be some Road film, need to try the Autoglym Polish again.

Also, something that bugs me, is the internal ‘fug’ smears on the windscreen, particularly in the winter. I’ve tried lots of products to remove this, such as AG Glass Polish, Windowlene, vinegar and water, Nilglass, etc. When cleaned, the immediate effect is the windscreen looks ok, but as soon as it mists, it’s back to square one. Happens in all cars, not just the Cali.

 

[kurienp]

Agree with above posts. That said, I’ve noticed the drivers side blade on our van has started juddering on part of its stroke - must be some Road film, need to try the Autoglym Polish again.

Also, something that bugs me, is the internal ‘fug’ smears on the windscreen, particularly in the winter. I’ve tried lots of products to remove this, such as AG Glass Polish, Windowlene, vinegar and water, Nilglass, etc. When cleaned, the immediate effect is the windscreen looks ok, but as soon as it mists, it’s back to square one. Happens in all cars, not just the Cali.

I have not changed the blades on my Cali 3 years now. Two factors - rainx in the washer fluid and a dab of Gummi pflege on the wiper blades has kept them supple and clean (the Gummi pflege does smear the screen sometimes, but the rainx helps clean it away quickly)

The only solution I have found to the internal smears is a roll of blue industrial cleaning wipes. Cleans up pretty good everytime and reduces the internal smears as well

 

[Stu@rt]

I have not changed the blades on my Cali 3 years now. Two factors - rainx in the washer fluid and a dab of Gummi pflege on the wiper blades has kept them supple and clean (the Gummi pflege does smear the screen sometimes, but the rainx helps clean it away quickly)

The only solution I have found to the internal smears is a roll of blue industrial cleaning wipes. Cleans up pretty good everytime and reduces the internal smears as well

Hi - Is that normal rainx in your regular washer fluid, or Rainx's own washer fluid? Thanks

 

[kurienp]

Hi - Is that normal rainx in your regular washer fluid, or Rainx's own washer fluid? Thanks

Normal RainX in the Halfords washer fluid. Also, only use half of the recommended dosage of RainX.

 

[kurienp]

Normal RainX in the Halfords washer fluid. Also, only use half of the recommended dosage of RainX.

this one ... to be precise. Just noticed that they have many options

 

[B J G]

Most likely cause of the problem is pre delivery clean & polish getting wax on the windscreen.

Just do as previously suggested to remove any residues.

 

[EddieEagle]

Used to get seriously bad windscreen clearance on trucks esp at night,
The ‘every little helps’ baby wipes along the wiper blades and a good wipe over the glass really works wonders.
As for the inside, the low sun really shows up every blemish. The industrial blue towel is very good for cleaning but it’s a regular job.

 

[Stu@rt]

View attachment 101674

this one ... to be precise. Just noticed that they have many options

Ah ok - that makes more sense - Thought you meant the original product. Thanks for posting - gonna give that a go.

 

[Fish111111111.]

If it is still an issue after cleaning the blades and screen check how your blades are sitting on the screen if they are not sitting at right angles to the screen they will not deflect to the correct side as they sweep the screen often causes the juddering and noise as they sweep . if people are a little excessive with pressure on the arms whilst cleaning etc they can twist slightly preventing the blade laying correctly on the screen.This can be readjusted to realign the blade, or the screen /blade may just need a clean, pick your favored product.

 

[Dell]

When dry give it a clean with some newspaper and it removes whatever film has been left on.

 

[kurienp]

When dry give it a clean with some newspaper and it removes whatever film has been left on.

ha ha! I used to go to tesco's just to pick up whatever the day's paper was available, just for this ... until the quality of the newspaper paper deteriorated so bad that it started to smear the glass with the paper ink . The first world solution to this was to go get some blue heavy duty tissue. Maybe I should have tried another store for another newspaper publisher

they don't make newspapers the same way that they did in years past ...

 

[Ch1pbutty]

View attachment 101674

this one ... to be precise. Just noticed that they have many options

Careful this stuff used to cause issues with VW's (but they might have changed the forumula). The spray on rainex 2in1 cleaner is a good alternative:

Rain-X 2in1 Glass Cleaner & Rain Repellent 500ml | Halfords UK

Shop the latest RainX Glass Cleaner & Rain Repellent a 2 in 1 formula which cleans the glass & improves visibility at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

 

[Stu@rt]

Careful this stuff used to cause issues with VW's (but they might have changed the forumula). The spray on rainex 2in1 cleaner is a good alternative:

Rain-X 2in1 Glass Cleaner & Rain Repellent 500ml | Halfords UK

Shop the latest RainX Glass Cleaner & Rain Repellent a 2 in 1 formula which cleans the glass & improves visibility at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

What sort of issues, can I ask?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

What sort of issues, can I ask?

It can clog the pump. If you google ‘vw rain-x’ it comes up on a few forums.

We used to use it all the time, but stopped out of caution..and now just use the 2-1 spray.

 

[kurienp]

It can clog the pump. If you google ‘vw rain-x’ it comes up on a few forums.

We used to use it all the time, but stopped out of caution..and now just use the 2-1 spray.

Correct, and hence the suggestion to use it at half the strength recommended and it has worked well for the last 3 years without any issues. 1/4 the bottle for 2 full tanks of washer fluid and refill/reuse in tank only when you can feel that the water is not beading off the glass at 50mph+ speeds.

 

[Hawthorn37]

ha ha! I used to go to tesco's just to pick up whatever the day's paper was available, just for this ... until the quality of the newspaper paper deteriorated so bad that it started to smear the glass with the paper ink . The first world solution to this was to go get some blue heavy duty tissue. Maybe I should have tried another store for another newspaper publisher

they don't make newspapers the same way that they did in years past ...

How have I got to my time in life without ever knowing this!! Maybe Halfords should sell newspapers?

 

[Paul G - 2022 Ocean]

Have you had Lifeshine applied at the dealer? Could have applied the wrong product to the screen. Happened to my son and he had to take it back to get them to correct it.

 

[Borris]

Whilst on windscreens, how do members keep the inside of their windscreen clean. No matter how I clean it or with what ever, when I drive into the sun it always looks a right mess.

I don't think that I'm going off topic but apologies to all if you feel I am.

 

[Hawthorn37]

Whilst on windscreens, how do members keep the inside of their windscreen clean. No matter how I clean it or with what ever, when I drive into the sun it always looks a right mess.

I don't think that I'm going off topic but apologies to all if you feel I am.

Agree with you - this time of year especially! Did you see the tip about using newspaper? I’m going to try it.