Smeary windshield?

halfmoonclip · 09-30-2015, 11:31 PM

I've been fighting this battle since the X1 was new. The wipers seem to leave a slight haze or smear, which makes for very poor visibility on a wet, dark night.
I keep the windshield clean with Simple Green and a squeegee, which has always worked well with other cars. I generally wipe off the wipers as well.
I got the warranty wiper blade change, and this didn't help.
Is this a common problem? Any suggestions about how to solve it?
Thanks,
Moon

GrantE83 · 10-01-2015, 02:52 AM

Hmm I'm buying new wipers this weekend as I have the same issue. If I have the same problem even with new wipers I'm going to be pis**d

0w40X1 · 10-01-2015, 08:40 AM

Rain X will bead up water to where wipers are nearly unnecessary.

Also, I think Bosch wipers are good replacements. Originals might be Bosch, but the greasy stuff might be leftover cosmoline during shipping.

I live in dusty area, and haven't put rain X on, yet, but I use Turtle Ice detailer everywhere on car including glass, and it doesn't seem to be greasy or streaky.

vstolpner · 10-01-2015, 10:00 AM

Yeah I heard rain-x isn't the best, I'm waiting on my order of aquapel - heard good things about it.

I'm still using the same wipers that the dealership replaced and I don't have any issues.

Maybe it's the windshield washer fluid you're using?

GrantE83 · 10-01-2015, 10:20 AM

Think fluid could be true, I have topped up with some new stuff but the old stuff still in there too.

Maybe I need to drain the old fluid and try that..

halfmoonclip · 10-01-2015, 11:03 AM

I used Rain-x back when I had a single-wiper Sirocco; the wiper couldn't go fast enough, and the Rain-x made the water slide right off....until you actually had to use the wiper, and then it was really smeary.
I've not been able to find correct wiper replacements except at the dealership; they will give you one new pair a year under warranty.
Ideas?
Moon

0w40X1 · 10-03-2015, 05:49 AM

Also, Stoner glass cleaner has petroleum solvent in it, and really gets residues off.

Red Bread · 10-03-2015, 09:01 PM

Can't see shit out of ours.
[img]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89...ads/image.jpeg[/img]

[img]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89...s/image_1.jpeg[/img]

Wife was alone and hit by a stolen car. Couple of bruises, but that's it. Time to try to find another 35i.

vstolpner · 10-04-2015, 12:04 AM

Wow. Glad she was OK.

Good luck with the search, especially now with the 2016 models going to a different chassis and from what I hear no more option for 35i.

0w40X1 · 10-04-2015, 06:24 AM

Damn Red, these cars are tough, eh?

Red Bread · 10-04-2015, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0w40X1

Damn Red, these cars are tough, eh?

Yeah, the responders were amazed that she just crawled out of the sunroof. They'd called for the jaws of life. They were really looking closely at the a-pillars and amazed at how well they held up.

Black Flagged · 10-04-2015, 09:42 AM

Wow, glad all is ok. Sorry for your lost. Good luck on your search for X1 35, hope you can find one.

Teutonic · 10-09-2015, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Can't see shit out of ours.
[img]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89...ads/image.jpeg[/img]

[img]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89...s/image_1.jpeg[/img]

Wife was alone and hit by a stolen car. Couple of bruises, but that's it. Time to try to find another 35i.

Darn man, what a pitty! Happy that nobody got hurt, that is all that matters. Wifey ok?
Too bad, you loved the little blue thing.
You can still grab one here and there... I am curious what you will pick next.

Carlin/14/E84 · 11-01-2015, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halfmoonclip

I've been fighting this battle since the X1 was new. The wipers seem to leave a slight haze or smear, which makes for very poor visibility on a wet, dark night.
Moon

I had the same problem only while driving thru states where humidity exist...In the past I have used 'Brillianize Plastic Cleaner' the 8 fl oz bottle has a great spray nozzle just a couple of squirts it will cover most of the windshield both the outside and inside.

Mr_Jack · 11-03-2015, 07:13 PM

Can you post a photo of your windshield?

Dilbert2402 · 11-12-2015, 08:04 AM

Whatever you put on your screen make sure its perfectly clean first, start with some 0000 grade wire wool and your choice of glass cleaner before applying any other product.

mose121 · 11-27-2015, 10:28 AM

Mine was the same way until I cleaned it extremely well. I also sprayed glass cleaner all over the wipers and let them soak, then wiped them very clean and scrubbed the glass very hard. Been fine ever since. It almost looked like there was some kind of wax spray on it. I also notice when washing the car that if the light hits the hood right it looks hazy but once dry it's gone. Possibly the kind of spray wax or whatever product my dealer may have used to detail it before delivery. I have just under 3,000 miles on mine and it still shows on the hood but again only when it's wet in certain light. Kind of looks like a wax haze like it was applied but not rubbed off.

vstolpner · 11-27-2015, 10:37 AM

Not sure if this would help but I'm using aquapel in my windows and it seems to work quite well at keeping the windshield nice and clean.

This is only for the outside of course, but I think there are similar products for the interior side of the windshield.

09-30-2015, 11:31 PM	#1
halfmoonclip First Lieutenant 40 Rep 336 Posts Drives: X1 28i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: westsylvania iTrader: (0)	Smeary windshield? I've been fighting this battle since the X1 was new. The wipers seem to leave a slight haze or smear, which makes for very poor visibility on a wet, dark night. I keep the windshield clean with Simple Green and a squeegee, which has always worked well with other cars. I generally wipe off the wipers as well. I got the warranty wiper blade change, and this didn't help. Is this a common problem? Any suggestions about how to solve it? Thanks, Moon
	Appreciate 1 Tweet Quote

10-01-2015, 02:52 AM	#2
GrantE83 Second Lieutenant 33 Rep 221 Posts Drives: BMW X3 E83 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Hmm I'm buying new wipers this weekend as I have the same issue. If I have the same problem even with new wipers I'm going to be pis**d
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2015, 08:40 AM	#3
0w40X1 Lieutenant 34 Rep 485 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X1 s28i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: West Texas iTrader: (0)	Rain X will bead up water to where wipers are nearly unnecessary. Also, I think Bosch wipers are good replacements. Originals might be Bosch, but the greasy stuff might be leftover cosmoline during shipping. I live in dusty area, and haven't put rain X on, yet, but I use Turtle Ice detailer everywhere on car including glass, and it doesn't seem to be greasy or streaky.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2015, 10:00 AM	#4
vstolpner Captain 25 Rep 673 Posts Drives: 2019 F39 X2 m35i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Yeah I heard rain-x isn't the best, I'm waiting on my order of aquapel - heard good things about it. I'm still using the same wipers that the dealership replaced and I don't have any issues. Maybe it's the windshield washer fluid you're using?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2015, 10:20 AM	#5
GrantE83 Second Lieutenant 33 Rep 221 Posts Drives: BMW X3 E83 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Think fluid could be true, I have topped up with some new stuff but the old stuff still in there too. Maybe I need to drain the old fluid and try that..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2015, 11:03 AM	#6
halfmoonclip First Lieutenant 40 Rep 336 Posts Drives: X1 28i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: westsylvania iTrader: (0)	I used Rain-x back when I had a single-wiper Sirocco; the wiper couldn't go fast enough, and the Rain-x made the water slide right off....until you actually had to use the wiper, and then it was really smeary. I've not been able to find correct wiper replacements except at the dealership; they will give you one new pair a year under warranty. Ideas? Moon
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-03-2015, 05:49 AM	#7
0w40X1 Lieutenant 34 Rep 485 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X1 s28i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: West Texas iTrader: (0)	Also, Stoner glass cleaner has petroleum solvent in it, and really gets residues off.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-03-2015, 09:01 PM	#8
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Can't see shit out of ours. [img]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89...ads/image.jpeg[/img] [img]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89...s/image_1.jpeg[/img] Wife was alone and hit by a stolen car. Couple of bruises, but that's it. Time to try to find another 35i.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-04-2015, 12:04 AM	#9
vstolpner Captain 25 Rep 673 Posts Drives: 2019 F39 X2 m35i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Wow. Glad she was OK. Good luck with the search, especially now with the 2016 models going to a different chassis and from what I hear no more option for 35i.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-04-2015, 06:24 AM	#10
0w40X1 Lieutenant 34 Rep 485 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X1 s28i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: West Texas iTrader: (0)	Damn Red, these cars are tough, eh?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-04-2015, 09:42 AM	#12
Black Flagged Captain 472 Rep 778 Posts Drives: M2C Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: 91739 iTrader: (0)	Wow, glad all is ok. Sorry for your lost. Good luck on your search for X1 35, hope you can find one.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

11-03-2015, 07:13 PM	#15
Mr_Jack Private 20 Rep 71 Posts Drives: X1 35i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0)	Can you post a photo of your windshield? __________________ '15 E84 X1 35i M Sport MPI DME Flash - K&N drop in - MPI Chargepipe - Oil T-stat valve - ETS 5" I/C - N54tuning 3.5" downpipe - catless mid section - Dinan 135i rear exhaust - Apex ARC8 18x9/10(255/295 tires) - H&R Sports - Bilstein B6's - F3x M Performance brakes '02 E39 530i 624whp/558ft-lbs @23psi
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11-12-2015, 08:04 AM	#16
Dilbert2402 Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 280 Posts Drives: X3 G01 30e Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England iTrader: (0)	Whatever you put on your screen make sure its perfectly clean first, start with some 0000 grade wire wool and your choice of glass cleaner before applying any other product.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-27-2015, 10:28 AM	#17
mose121 Humanist 272 Rep 398 Posts Drives: F80 M3 ZCP/F31 330i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	Mine was the same way until I cleaned it extremely well. I also sprayed glass cleaner all over the wipers and let them soak, then wiped them very clean and scrubbed the glass very hard. Been fine ever since. It almost looked like there was some kind of wax spray on it. I also notice when washing the car that if the light hits the hood right it looks hazy but once dry it's gone. Possibly the kind of spray wax or whatever product my dealer may have used to detail it before delivery. I have just under 3,000 miles on mine and it still shows on the hood but again only when it's wet in certain light. Kind of looks like a wax haze like it was applied but not rubbed off.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-27-2015, 10:37 AM	#18
vstolpner Captain 25 Rep 673 Posts Drives: 2019 F39 X2 m35i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Not sure if this would help but I'm using aquapel in my windows and it seems to work quite well at keeping the windshield nice and clean. This is only for the outside of course, but I think there are similar products for the interior side of the windshield.
	Appreciate 0 Quote