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Can't see in the rain

6K views 27 replies 23 participants last post by  Tippy Tay 
#1 ·
I seem to be the only one with this issue as I searched other posts and can't find anything remotely close.

I have a 2014 jk purchased new and every time it rains I can't see out the windshield. And yes, I turn the wipers on but it seems like there is a film over the windshield. The windshield gets cloudy, and no it doesn't need the defroster, but it seems like something is on the windshield . I checked it several times and cleaned it with window cleaner but when it rains its the same issue. It literally gets hard to see as the rain drops seem to leave air pockets all over the windshield. I can see little streaks of what looks like air pockets all over the entire windshield. I replaced the wipers thinking that was the problem but the new wipers do the same thing. The rear window wipes clean with the wipers but the front , I swear feels like there is a plastic film over it or something was spilled on it and it embedded itself into the windshield. I know this sounds nuts but its getting difficult to drive when it rains. It literally interferes with my vision on the road it's so bad. When the weather is clear you can see out the window perfectly, no issues at all. It's only when it rains.
Anyone else have this problem or know of a remedy?
 
#2 ·
Coat windshield with denatured alcohol or acetone. Do not get it on the paint. Then use a single edge razor blade and scrape at an angle at wipe clean. Section at a time. When done clean with good quality streak free window cleaner.
 
#3 ·
before i went to that much trouble, i would try 50/50 white vinegar and water and newsprint to clean the windows. best ive found yet for cleaning glass- especially the haze that develops inside the windshield. cant hurt to try it on the outside. i keep a spray bottle of the stuff on hand.
 
#4 ·
Sounds to me like silicone grease contamination. I used to spray that stuff on high voltage insulators. The bucket truck windshield would act just like you described when it rained. Also at night with headlights coming at you it appeared to have a halo of rainbow colors around the oncoming lights. We always had to use Perchloroethane to remove the stuff. That product is no longer available. Electrosolve is a replacement that works. Alcohols and standard hydrocarbons will not work if that is indeed what you have on your windshield. You will only spread it around. Citri Solv is one other item that would work.

Not saying it is whats on your windshield, just saying I recognized the symptom you described. Good luck
 
#11 ·
Thanks for the advice. Could be some sort of grease but not sure how it would of gotten there. It's always been like that ever since I picked it up new from the dealer. I didn't really notice it until after a couple of thousand miles and blamed it on the windshield wipers but something is definitely on it. I'll try the alcohol and a razor blade to scrape it .

thx for the advice
 
#15 · (Edited)
I have been using synthetic wax (e.g., ICE; i.e., NOT a Carnauba-based wax) or spray-on Detailer (e.g., Meguire's, Mothers, etc.) on my Jeep windows for the past several years.

They clean the glass thoroughly, buff off easily with a microfiber, and leave the glass shining like it just came off the factory.

Aldo
 
#19 ·
Mine pretty much has the same thing, though I was assuming that was part of the "Aquapel" treatment the dealer put on before I bought it. It does seem to make the water not stay on the glass, but it ALSO seems to just smear the water all over. (e.g. whatever the hell it's doing, it's not better than nothing at all)

I think some steel wool 0000 is in my future!
 
#20 ·
This is the best video out there for proper glass maintenance. We all know how craptacular our windshields are. And after a short amount of time it looks like it's been sand blasted, gets covered in road grime and generally leads to poor visibility. Following the procedure in the video my windshield looks almost new again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVUtdlzrktI
 
#21 ·
Well I think i figured out what the problem was, there was definitely something on the windshield because i used a razor blade and there was a lot crusty film on it that i to scrape off. I also think my blades contributed as well. I remember during the winter that i always had to break off the ice that accumulated on the wiper blades. Sometimes i had to pull over and remove it. I think the ice warped the blades somewhat causing streaking. I also had used some cheap windshield washer fluid that didn't help much that i picked up at a convenience store which also streaked. I think all of these factors contributed as now I have new blades, silblades which i think are excellent, new better quality fluid and the windshield is scraped clean. Now i can see without any issues. Thanks to all who reached out to help
 
#23 ·
Just use 4-0 steel wool. Doesn't scratch and leaves a smooth surface that also seems to repel water. I never had good results with Invisiglass since it did streak my windows. Some windshields may have issues but none with my Civic, wife's Tucson, or my home double pain windows. This option seems to have a Hatfield/McCoy opinion based on online comments.
 
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