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      09-18-2012, 07:47 PM   #1
Romer
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Inside windshield develops dirt layer

Every week or so, enough of a film build up develops on the inside of my windshield I need to clean it. It's happening less now that its getting cooler. I am guessing the heat makes the materials outgass which create the film. Anyone else have this issue?

edite - fixed typo to say cooler
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Last edited by Romer; 09-18-2012 at 10:57 PM..
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      09-18-2012, 09:19 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Romer
Every week or so, enough of a film build up develops on the inside of my windshield I need to clean it. It's happening less now that its getting cleaner. I am guessing the heat makes the materials outgass which create the film. Anyone else have this issue?
Yup. Very frustrating. I've never, ever, had a vehicle that the windshield needed cleaning on the inside as often as the Z4. I was going to post last week and ask the same question, as well as any good suggestions for an interior glass cleaner.
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      09-18-2012, 09:42 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Baremeg55 View Post
Yup. Very frustrating. ...
Yep it happens to my Z and my 128i. Anyone know why? I have been thinking that the AC is blowing in outside air from other cars which is filing up the wondows.

UGG.
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      09-18-2012, 10:09 PM   #4
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i read somewhere a while back that the reason is because of the outgassing of the dash plastics. i haven't noticed that problem with mines. i have extended leather so it may be different since the plastic parts are covered with leather.
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      09-18-2012, 10:56 PM   #5
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Thanks, now I know its not just me. I am betting outgassing with the heat. Lets hope it goes away for the winter
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      09-19-2012, 08:35 AM   #6
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To minimize it, keep the windows open at all times when in the garage. You need ventilation to keep the outgassing from depositing on the windows. Better yet, keep the top down as much as possible.
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      09-19-2012, 09:07 AM   #7
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The same for me.
BMW shop try to eliminate this trouble by changing the AC filter... Nothing to do, but I paid for that 70 € anyway.
This problem reduces when the weather's getting cooler and dry.
So, IMO, could be a problem in the AC de-humidity system.
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      09-20-2012, 08:56 PM   #8
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I don't have a problem with debris but fogging up and will not clear until I clean it. Annoying!
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      09-20-2012, 09:47 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Desmoduece View Post
I don't have a problem with debris but fogging up and will not clear until I clean it. Annoying!
Yep that is exactly the issue.
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      09-20-2012, 10:44 PM   #10
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Oh and you have to clean it with window cleaner or it smears. It's like an oil or mold release.
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      09-21-2012, 07:14 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoa View Post
i read somewhere a while back that the reason is because of the outgassing of the dash plastics. i haven't noticed that problem with mines. i have extended leather so it may be different since the plastic parts are covered with leather.
If that were true, then the side windows would be affected as well. More likely it's just road dirt deposited when the top is down. Think of what's getting on you!
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      09-21-2012, 07:17 AM   #12
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the side windows also do it, I just think we do not notice that much because we generally do not stare out the side windows while driving. the problem is very annoying but every car I own does it
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      09-21-2012, 07:54 AM   #13
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After the initial interior outgassing during the first 9-12 months, what occurs afterwards is a side effect of cleaning the interior. I think we all probably condition our leather seats, etc or use other hydrocarbon based products on the interior. These products evaporte and end up vapor deposited everywhere -the interior glass and certainly the windshield is most noticable. The occurance is worse during the warmer weather obviously.
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      09-21-2012, 11:14 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintage
the side windows also do it, I just think we do not notice that much because we generally do not stare out the side windows while driving. the problem is very annoying but every car I own does it
Yes, I too have had this same experience with other vehicles I've owned, but........ my Z4 seems to need it every few days, weekly would be the maximum period between cleanings, as opposed to my other vehicles going weeks if not longer.

It's not just the windshield, however, looking thru the WS with the sun at odd angles brings it into focus more so than the windows.
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      09-21-2012, 01:09 PM   #15
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now I am worried about breathing while the top is up - I am going to ignore this thread from now on and pretend like I know nothing of it
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      09-21-2012, 03:42 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintage
now I am worried about breathing while the top is up - I am going to ignore this thread from now on and pretend like I know nothing of it
LOL. Take a weekend drive over to Houston. Then you can also worry about breathing with the top down!!!!
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      09-23-2012, 01:25 PM   #17
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Spend almost an hour trying to clean the WS to get rid of the layer... No luck. Streaks are still present. Does anyone have a method to get rid of this layer on the inside? I tried window cleaner, isopropyl alcohol and quick detailer to no avail....
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      09-23-2012, 02:39 PM   #18
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Mine does the same. Had the car for 6 months or so, probably the worst for grease / film build up on the windscreen. Ok in the day, now experiencing glare while night driving. So far, leaving AC on for most of the time. Thought it was just me, glad to see I'm not he only one
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      09-24-2012, 01:12 PM   #19
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Getting great results using regular old Windex and a dedicated microfiber cloth, does much much better than paper towels (tried 30 different types), T-Shirts or anything else.
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      09-24-2012, 01:33 PM   #20
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Getting great results using regular old Windex and a dedicated microfiber cloth, does much much better than paper towels (tried 30 different types), T-Shirts or anything else.
Ah! the trusty old Windex...guess will have to try it as I went to the deep end trying everything else BUT the Windex...should have remembered the dialog from My Big Fat Greek Wedding
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      09-24-2012, 08:40 PM   #21
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I found better success with a cloth I bought at an autopart store that was made to clean glass. Others left streaks
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      09-24-2012, 10:13 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Romer View Post
Every week or so, enough of a film build up develops on the inside of my windshield I need to clean it. It's happening less now that its getting cooler. I am guessing the heat makes the materials outgass which create the film. Anyone else have this issue?

edite - fixed typo to say cooler
Try Invisible Glass and a microfibre cloth
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