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Author Topic: Smear smear  (Read 6085 times)

Offline stealthwolf

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Smear smear
« on: December 12, 2008, 01:47:36 pm »
Don't know why this is happening now but when I use the screenwash to clear the windscreen, the wipers clear it but as the windscreen dries, there's some white "residue" appearing, largely in the bit missed by the wipers but also at some other points in the wipers' range. It has the appearance of some white stuff being smeared by the wipers.

Disappears when you wash the windscreen again and then reappears a few moments later.

Have been using screenwash from the dealers.

What is it? Why's it happening? How do I stop it from happening in future?

The GTI isn't just a machine. It's very much a living, breathing thing.

Offline The wheel man

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2008, 01:56:15 pm »
good question, i have this also and have the dealers screen wash.  Dont know why though.......  could it be the salt in the water (from the road)??
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Offline neg

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2008, 02:48:34 pm »
I would empty your washers and refill, also clean you screen with glass cleaner or similar to remove any film.

Offline Greeners

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2008, 02:55:28 pm »
I would empty your washers and refill, also clean you screen with glass cleaner or similar to remove any film.

Remember to clean the wiper blades too. White spirit will get any residue straight off them  :happy2:

Offline 182_blue

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2008, 03:09:02 pm »
it sounds like road salt to me

Offline bennylenny88

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2008, 03:55:08 pm »
just whack some rain x on it
it helps a hella lot!


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Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2008, 03:57:58 pm »
Damn you bennylenny! Wrote a reply and clicked post. Then closed the tab and as I did, realised you had replied and therefore got that "warning" thing up. :rolleye: :rolleye: :rolleye:

Anyway, I went past a gritter a few days back. Can't remember if the smear problem started before then or not.

If it is the road salt, what's the best way to remove it? I already tried AG fast glass once (Quickly) and have AG glass polish to hand if required.

The GTI isn't just a machine. It's very much a living, breathing thing.

Offline cohiba

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2008, 03:59:59 pm »
When empty fill with clean water, not sex wee. :signLOL:

Offline neg

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2008, 04:00:20 pm »
RainX on the front screen is not recommended - great on the others though

Offline 182_blue

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2008, 04:26:02 pm »
Damn you bennylenny! Wrote a reply and clicked post. Then closed the tab and as I did, realised you had replied and therefore got that "warning" thing up. :rolleye: :rolleye: :rolleye:

Anyway, I went past a gritter a few days back. Can't remember if the smear problem started before then or not.

If it is the road salt, what's the best way to remove it? I already tried AG fast glass once (Quickly) and have AG glass polish to hand if required.

if it is road salt its just dirt hitting the screen, not alot you can do about it

Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #10 on: December 12, 2008, 04:34:19 pm »
Yeah but it happens when I'm stationary too!

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Offline bennylenny88

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #11 on: December 12, 2008, 07:40:58 pm »
RainX on the front screen is not recommended - great on the others though

works well with my windscreen :S


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Offline Top Cat

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #12 on: December 12, 2008, 08:59:02 pm »
Yeah but it happens when I'm stationary too!

Did you not say you put some collinite on before the meet, its probably bits of dried wax flying out of your water drain catcher thing, once you get wax on the wipers it hangs around for ages.   :xmastree:

Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #13 on: December 12, 2008, 09:09:53 pm »
Yeah but it happens when I'm stationary too!

Did you not say you put some collinite on before the meet, its probably bits of dried wax flying out of your water drain catcher thing, once you get wax on the wipers it hangs around for ages.   :xmastree:

Yeah but not over the windscreen lol!

Strange since it happened only in the past week but not after I detailed (a few days before the meet).

I'll have a go at the windscreen tomorrow.

The GTI isn't just a machine. It's very much a living, breathing thing.

Offline v2brett

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Re: Smear smear
« Reply #14 on: December 12, 2008, 09:21:39 pm »
i can highly recommend using cerium oxide to clean the windscreen, it removes all residue its like having new wipers and a brand new windscreen  :driver:
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