Windshield Washer Fluid Staining Paint & Glass

[JayceeP]

Freezing cold day: -8C/17F and windchill somewhere around -15C/5F.

Anyway it's been almost a month since the 4Runner has been hand washed (ONR'd). I drove to the self-wash bay and hosed off as much salt/road grime as possible.

Everything freezes by the time I get home. Pull into the garage, everything melts. I proceed to ONR and notice the areas where washerfluid overspray concentrated (windshield, panel above door, driver window etc) had a haze-lik stain/residue. Even with strong pressure from a microfibre, it will not come off. Lots of rubbing with my finger on the glass seems like it makes it go away... Not practical for all glass and of course not he paint.

I never experienced this with my black Jeep Wrangler. Either the gas station uses new chemicals in their product, or the 4Runner paint/glass is more vulnerable.

Anyone have this experience and what did you use to get the stain off the paint? I'm hoping my routine spring clay/polish/wax will remove it from the paint. Not sure about the glass. Any tips are welcome.

Note- I bought the 4R in late March and this is the first time I've seen staining on the glass and paint.

Thanks.

 

[JayceeP]

For those interested, I tested a small area on the panel above the driver door. I tried using the same washer fluid and also a clay bar and neither worked. I used a bit of polish and a microfibre polish pad, and it did the trick. I then put some wax over the polished area to re-protect the paint.

The glass is a different story. I scrubbed incredibly hard with a microfibre towel and it finally started to come off. I doubt a cleaner will do anything, just a lot of elbow grease unfortunately.