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Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:23 am
by timjonz
After washing my Bongo I am always left with water marks on the glass, I have never tried to clean them until this week end. I washed as usual then to remove the water marks I tried windolene but the marks are still there.
Is there a way of removing them?
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:47 am
by rita
timjonz wrote:After washing my Bongo I am always left with water marks on the glass, I have never tried to clean them until this week end. I washed as usual then to remove the water marks I tried windolene but the marks are still there.
Is there a way of removing them?
Hi Tim,do you have tinted windows(film)??
Cheers..
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:54 pm
by Triple/R
rita wrote:timjonz wrote:After washing my Bongo I am always left with water marks on the glass, I have never tried to clean them until this week end. I washed as usual then to remove the water marks I tried windolene but the marks are still there.
Is there a way of removing them?
Hi Tim,do you have tinted windows(film)??
Cheers..
I was thinking the same Rita~~if they are tinted,as apposed to factory glass,could be condensation between the tint & the glass especially after washing them.
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:15 pm
by roofraisers
Our Bongo had water marks on the outside of the glass when it came from Japan, it looked like salt water but it wasn't.
The windows were not factory tinted, but we have now made them tinted with an after market tint on the inside.
We tried all kinds of window cleaners but in the end I rubbed them with very fine wire wool covered in "Bar Cleaners Friend" powder.
I don't think the wire wool actually did the cleaning but it was more down to a "chemical reaction" clean so I guess a fine plastic scourer would do the same job.
The paint work was thoroughly cleaned afterwards in case there was an unwanted knock on effect!
I have only done one side to compare the results & the difference is very noticeable in the wet/ drying process.
I have noticed this water mark effect on a few other Bongos & I did wonder whether it was down to volcanic ash being present in the atmosphere & binding to the glass over time.
Nigel
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:32 pm
by bigdaddycain
Or you could try using a clay bar detailing kit... A decent claying even removes overspray from lacquer!
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:42 am
by timjonz
The windows are factory fitted darkened glass. The marks are definateley on the outside. The volcanic ash theory sounds plausable. Might give the clay bar or bar cleaners friend a go. I guess it will take alot fo elbow grease too
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:59 am
by dunslair
Could also be a fine film of tree sap which has been concentrated where the water has stayed on the van when washed (then dried in the sun). Do you chamouis the van after washing? Sounds like a bit of elbow work may do the trick for you. let us know how you get on.
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:40 am
by apole
I had a similar problem with the patio doors on my house. Travelled alot this year and hadn't cleaned them in ages, With all the hard rain the lower half of the windows had what I could only describe as limescale stains on them. Nothing would shift it.
In the end I used a light coating of Viacal (pretty harsh bathroom limescale remover), making sure I didn't get any on the rubber seals or the window frame etc.
After about 5 mins it had completely removed the marks.
If you do use something like this be very very careful not to get it on the paint or anthing else, and I'd test a small area first !! Remove as much as possible with paper towel before giving it and the car below it a very good wash and rinse.
I would be trying T cut, claying etc first though I must admit.
Good luck and be patient.
Andy
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:44 pm
by roofraisers
I did try Meguiares clay kit on the exterior glass & that didn't do a lot, apart from get me sweating & cursing at the lack in change of appearance.
The wire wool wasn't entered into lightly but if you use really fine (grade 0000) there is no scratching, it's like slightly rough cotton wool!!
Nigel
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:06 pm
by jutwit
have you tried cillit bang, works on everything else on the planet!!!!!!!
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:26 am
by cheffy34
bigdaddycain wrote:Or you could try using a clay bar detailing kit... A decent claying even removes overspray from lacquer!
I have tried telling the missus big D but she no listen

Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:49 am
by Cosmic Bus
microfibre cloth moistened with white vinegar could be worth a shout.
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 6:18 pm
by bigdaddycain
roofraisers wrote:I did try Meguiares clay kit on the exterior glass & that didn't do a lot, apart from get me sweating & cursing at the lack in change of appearance.
Nigel
Did you find that there was a lot of "drag" and then the drag reduced with claying? If so, you have removed a lot of contaminants (be they visible or not).
Don't get me wrong... Claying the windows is HARD WORK! And the improvements aren't always immediately visible.. but trust me..You have saved yourself plenty of graft in the future by turning the glass into a blank canvas...They will be much easier to clean in the future with all that muck cleaned from them.

Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 6:21 pm
by bigdaddycain
Re: Water Marks on Windows
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 9:52 pm
by roofraisers
BDC,
When I did the window claying, there was a lot of "drag" initially & it did get less, but after an age these marks were still visible.
I mixed "Bar Keepers Friend" powder into a thick paste & rubbed it over the glass in a circular motion & then left it on to soak in for maybe 15 mins & then gave the glass another circular rub before rinsing off thourghly. I think my window marks were removed by the "chemical reaction" rather than with the brute force of the wire wool, hence I say you shoud be able to use a nylon/plastic type scourer or a stiff cloth.
Nigel