Waxy film building on inside of my side windows - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Supergia · 10-05-2021, 04:15 PM

I have a 4Runner 4th Gen 2005 limited V8. I noticed it is difficult to clean the inside of the side windows. They are tinted, so I do not want to use an abrasive on them, but they are blurry and it looks like their is thin plastic film on them. How can I clean them without scratching them? I've used Window Cleaner, water and vinegar, and Windex. I was just the rear side windows but now it has creeped to the front side windows. I do transport my two greyhounds all the time in it. Would that have anything to do with it. Thanks in advance for your help.

JK47! · 10-06-2021, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supergia

I have a 4Runner 4th Gen 2005 limited V8. I noticed it is difficult to clean the inside of the side windows. They are tinted, so I do not want to use an abrasive on them, but they are blurry and it looks like their is thin plastic film on them. How can I clean them without scratching them? I've used Window Cleaner, water and vinegar, and Windex. I was just the rear side windows but now it has creeped to the front side windows. I do transport my two greyhounds all the time in it. Would that have anything to do with it. Thanks in advance for your help.

Can you post a photo? I’ve seen old window tint get hazy before. It’s usually the backside of the film that faces the glass. Can you tell if it’s between the film and glass?

trey99ek · 10-06-2021, 12:06 PM

Is it the tint? Cheap tint doesn't age well.

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spartacus · 10-06-2021, 01:28 PM

regular Windex for carwindow cleaning is not recommended. windex crystal clear would be better. Houshhold glass cleaners are generally not good for tint.

Supergia · 10-06-2021, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JK47!

Can you post a photo? I’ve seen old window tint get hazy before. It’s usually the backside of the film that faces the glass. Can you tell if it’s between the film and glass?

Here you go.

JK47! · 10-06-2021, 05:31 PM

Thanks for the photo. My guess without seeing it in person, is that tint has deteriorated and will need to be removed. That photo looks like aged tint. Tint usually lasts 2-10 years before it needs to be reapplied. Cheaper tint will fail much quicker but even high end tints will fade, haze, or form bubbles eventually. The good news is the glass underneath should not be affected.

Best of luck!

Supergia · 10-07-2021, 03:50 PM

I haul my two greyhounds around in my 4Runner. I've done it for years. I basically "dog smutz" built up over years. I used paper towels soaked with white distilled vinegar. Soaked the windows and left the wet towels on the windows for a few minutes. Then took a bath towel and used elbow grease and was able to remove the waxy film. Greyhounds, who are typically very clean dogs, over the years smutzed up the place.

Charlievee · 10-07-2021, 06:51 PM

Old window tint.

creib · 10-21-2021, 06:10 PM

classic greyhounds

cormy · 01-06-2022, 01:53 PM

use white vinegar

01-08-2022, 12:15 PM

That is between the tint and the window, so its not coming off. Have everything retinted and ask if there is a preferred tint that might hold up better than others with your dogs in back. My Great Dane/Bull Mastiff makes a mess out of my back windows.

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