Interesting "Crop Circles" on my windshield

rdswriter

rdswriter

New member
I have a '14 TEP and have noticed since I bought it 4 months ago that there are magical 'crop circles' that appear whenever the inside of the windshield becomes fogged.

They disappear once the heat/vent defroster evaporates away the fogging... but they appear every time it fogs. Over time, I've noticed that there are 4 or 5 circles all of which appear to have been from a suction cup used during manufacture. Additionally, there are two rectangles that (I'm guessing) are the result of manufacturing.

Nothing I've used so far on the inside windshield or outside windshield removes them - not hot water, not Windex, not Invisible Glass, not CLR. :frusty:

I've gotten used to seeing int when my windshield fogs... but the engineer in me is wondering what it might be the result of (and why I can't seem to clean it off). My thoughts are leading me to believe that the marks are INSIDE the layers of the windshield. I just hope its not an alien abducting & probing my 4Runner. :alien:

Any thoughts from the hive mind?
 
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Simple. You probably have the lucky windshield that was first after either new cups or existing cups were re lubricated on the line. Your cleaning list did not include any solvents. Try rubbing alcohol or *gasp* coca cola. Might even try nail polish remover. If you use coke you have to re clean it with water afterwards.
 
1engineer said:
Simple. You probably have the lucky windshield that was first after either new cups or existing cups were re lubricated on the line. Your cleaning list did not include any solvents. Try rubbing alcohol or *gasp* coca cola. Might even try nail polish remover. If you use coke you have to re clean it with water afterwards.
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This is a fantastic explanation and one that I never would have come up with. But, I imagine the glass "robot" is installing it from the outside. The OP's complaint is coming from the inside.
 
On my first replacement windshield, you could see where the manufacturer's stickers were placed - but there is no sticker residue whatsoever (cleaned it dozens of times). It is only visible in certain lighting or when it fogs up. Likely similar to what the OP is referring to?

My 2nd replacement windshield is much better - but still has one small area where this happens. Kind of annoying - will try the Magic Eraser, too.

Was the hydroflouric acid comment 'tongue-in-cheek', or are you serious? At what dilution?

:cool:
 
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1engineer said:
Simple. You probably have the lucky windshield that was first after either new cups or existing cups were re lubricated on the line. Your cleaning list did not include any solvents. Try rubbing alcohol or *gasp* coca cola. Might even try nail polish remover. If you use coke you have to re clean it with water afterwards.
Click to expand...

I agree on the rubbing alcohol. Had to go over mine twice.
 
Ducmonsta said:
This is a fantastic explanation and one that I never would have come up with. But, I imagine the glass "robot" is installing it from the outside. The OP's complaint is coming from the inside.
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A different machine stages the windshild for installation than the robot that installs it.
 
Thanks for the tips

Thanks everyone. I'm thinking I'll try some rubbing alcohol next. If that doesn't work, I'll try the magic eraser. We'll see.

If I have to, I may go the wet 0000 steel wool route.
 
rdswriter said:
If I have to, I may go the wet 0000 steel wool route.
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I just dropped $400 on my 2nd replacement windsheild (close to $1000 in windshields on a 2 Y.O. truck) - I'll let you try this and report back. I'm hesitant to think 0000 Steel Wool wouldn't leave scratches and need further buffing/finishing not to be seen worse than what's already there.

I'll try the rubbing alcohol over my weekend (Tues/Weds) and see how it works.

I love a clean windshield a bit more than the average bear (some OCD tendencies over here ;) ).

:cool:
 
I would try the Magic Eraser sponge first, Less aggressive than the 0000 and I have had very good luck removing some booboos my grandkids made with permanent magic marker on formica. Do not know what that little sponge is made of but it sure does remove marks.
 
BettysNephew said:
I would try the Magic Eraser sponge first, Less aggressive than the 0000 and I have had very good luck removing some booboos my grandkids made with permanent magic marker on formica. Do not know what that little sponge is made of but it sure does remove marks.
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Duh. It's MAGIC.
 
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