Need some help getting some residue off my windows

[Topshelf]

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. I haven't checked the thread because I thought I would get an e-mail when there was a reply. Looks like I have a few things I can try out this week. I picked up a clay bar, but haven't had time to try it out. But now that there are a few other liquid ideas that I have in the house, I'm going to see if any of them work first. Hard water stains does seem logical. I'll give vinegar and nail polish remover a test tonight before running out.

 

[Shipkiller]

For email notification, change your 'User Control Panel' settings....

 

[Smokin]

ooooooooooh, be very very careful with that acetone!!!!! That will really mess up your paint. Won't dissolve the hard water stains (if that's what they are). Try the vinegar first. Dampen a cloth with just a little and try it on the spots.

 

[20ducks]

I use 50% vinegar, 50% distilled water for mineral spots.

 

[Homes]

Homes, welcome. Where 'bouts in Atlanta are ya?

Thanks.

I live in Roswell (Holcomb Bridge, just east of 400).

My office is in Lilburn. (Just east of 85, one exit north of Jimmy Carter).

And your bad self ?

 

[Homes]

ooooooooooh, be very very careful with that acetone!!!!! That will really mess up your paint.

Don't mean to be disagreeable, but nope - it won't adversely affect your exterior coating (paint). If it did, my P38 would have been down to bare metal a long time ago. One NC / GA acetone use: removing pine sap.

I suppose the caveat should be 'in the concentrations found at Home Depot or nail polish remover.' Maybe you could track down some far more concentratred stuff if you really tried, but that would be potentially hazardous to work with. (However, it might add one more to the list of ways to skin a cat).

Do, though, keep it away from interior plastic and any/all black plastic trim. It will eat that alive. (the black bumper on a black vehicle would still be fine).

I agree with you about the mineral / 'hard water' marks. (What I use for that would cause wailing and gnashing of teeth, so I'll keep that to myself until my number of posts is a lot bigger).

 

[Topshelf]

Alright gents, had a few minutes to test out some products tonight, here's the results....

Soft scrub (used this once to remove baked on Rain-X) - No change.
Vinegar and Distilled Water in a 50/50 mix - No change.
Straight Vinegar - No change.
Nail polish remover - No change.

Any other ideas? I just used a paper towel to apply. Should I be using something else? I did pick up a clay bar as well, but haven't had a chance to try that out. I've never seen a substance like this before. Might have to move to some hardcore stuff if the clay bar doesn't do the trick. :headbang:

 

[Homes]

Alright gents, had a few minutes to test out some products tonight, here's the results....

Soft scrub (used this once to remove baked on Rain-X) - No change.
Vinegar and Distilled Water in a 50/50 mix - No change.
Straight Vinegar - No change.
Nail polish remover - No change.

Any other ideas? I just used a paper towel to apply. Should I be using something else? I did pick up a clay bar as well, but haven't had a chance to try that out. I've never seen a substance like this before. Might have to move to some hardcore stuff if the clay bar doesn't do the trick.

Soft Scrub ist verboten, henceforth. It is an abrasive - though I suppose 'softer' than one of those wads of copper used to scrub the bottoms of pots and pans.

Paper towel = good. Stay far, far away from anything remotely abrasive. If you have any of that green Scotch brand scrubbing 'material' - bury it somewhere far from home.

Just crazy enough to work: WD-40, CLR

Hardcore: oven cleaner, grout cleaner

Read the labels first.

Craziest idea yet and undoubtedly the wisest one to try first: Take it to a couple of auto glass places and see what they say.

 

[Topshelf]

Take it for a professional opinion??? Are you crazy? :rofl: What would we do on these forums all day if we let the pro's solve our issues?

I have some CLR in the garage. Will test that out this weekend along with the clay bar. I'll stay away from abrasive pads too. I just can't believe this stain is this stubborn. :x

 

[Homes]

I know you're goofin' - just sometimes you have to quit while you're behind - before the glass guy says, "Looks like somebody tried to clean it off with *****. It all has to be replaced."

The green scrubby comment comes from experience:

Like a brain sturgeon, I used one of them on my windshield (windscreen) some years ago. I have done a lot of work on one particular triumph of British engineering. Using a little piece of that green stuff for about 15 seconds was my most expensive mistake by a long shot. What does a new Pilkington windscreen cost on one of those things ? $ 1200. I believe that's what is called 'learning the hard way.'

http://www.janvil.com/glass_faqs.htm#Which_system_will_remove_scratches_caused_by_a_kitchen_sponge

Scroll down to number 12.

 

[Topshelf]

Man, I really didn't realize they did that kind of damage. Thanks for the warning! Luckily I've been using a small test area on a side window, and there's been no side effects from any of my attempts. I guess I'll try the clay bar this weekend, and if that doesn't work, I'll have to talk to a pro. Thanks again!

 

[20ducks]

Topshelf, Griot's sells 2 products for glass: Glass Polish and Fine Glass polish. Yet another product to consider.