Strange windshield deposits

[sel1005]

had a lot of rain lately and so I detailed my truck over the weekend. When I took it out into the sunshine yesterday I noticed the windshield was covered in what looks like gritty deposits, almost like very small water spots. The whole windshield is covered.

windex, 409, rain-ex spray, nothing seems to remove them, micro towels, rough towels, bug scraper..... a friend said to try vinegar, as I may have driven past an auto body shop with paint spray in the air or something. Of course they are likely on the paint as well....

one thing at a time though; any ideas on what cleaners I should try? while the truck is a 2004, its in near new shape, windshield has no dings, cracks, anything at all.

 

[daka320]

Did you park it under a tree for any extended time? Could be tree sap.

 

[dougiefreshmx]

:iagree:

 

[sel1005]

nope, no trees, in fact, it spends 90% of its life in a garage. our Lexus is parked next to it and nothing on it, so we have ruled out something garage related. Had to be while on the road, but since its very much like lime type deposits, just very small, not sure what to use that won't glaze the glass or create a worse problem

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Pictures?

 

[toyotatech84]

What we did back in my porter days at Lexus is we would grab a lil handful of steel wool and spray the window with windex and then the steel wool pad and lightly scrub it to get off glue and tape reside from window stickers. Worked pretty well.

 

[ryangab]

I used to detail cars and I used a clay bar just like you would on the paint. It works like magic!! I do this to my windshield every spring and fall to get rid of all the junk. You'll be surprised on how much "stuff" comes off the glass.

 

[sel1005]

thanks for the great ideas, will try them tomorrow and let you know what happens.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

While we're at it... any tips for "sand blasted" windshields? Its always saddening when the light hits my windshield and I see all those little pits...

 

[snowbrdr033]

I had a somewhat similar problem, not only on my windshield but also on my hood. The area in which I was living had been undergoing a ton of road re-surfacing and they were constantly ripping up the old asphalt and putting down a new road surface. I had little black dots all over, and thought they were tree sap too, but I park in a garage. I think it was tar from the road that may have been somehow "thrown up" at my truck and got onto the hood. It was a PIA to get off!

 

[jimithing]

While we're at it... any tips for "sand blasted" windshields? Its always saddening when the light hits my windshield and I see all those little pits...

replace it. i bought my 4runner used and it's windshield was sand blasted like that. i tried fixing it with a windshield chip repair kit but it didn't really do much for me. it probably would have been fine for most people but i couldn't stand it. my wife thought i was nuts but it was worth the $125 for the new windshield.

 

[jimithing]

OP - try scraping gently with a razor blade to see if it comes off.