Film on inside of windshield

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IDSandman

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My ‘18 1500 gets a film on the inside of the windshield unless I clean it every day. Even then it’s a pain in the rear to get it off, damn near impossible. Any idea what it may be from and an easier cleaning solution than my normal glass cleaner and paper towels?
 

audiophile

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My ‘18 1500 gets a film on the inside of the windshield unless I clean it every day. Even then it’s a pain in the rear to get it off, damn near impossible. Any idea what it may be from and an easier cleaning solution than my normal glass cleaner and paper towels?
Typically it is from the coolant/defrost system. In older vehicles it indicated a small leak somewhere. I have used Rain-X anti-fog solution before and it helped but I would look at your coolant system to make sure you are not losing any.
 
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IDSandman

IDSandman

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Typically it is from the coolant/defrost system. In older vehicles it indicated a small leak somewhere. I have used Rain-X anti-fog solution before and it helped but I would look at your coolant system to make sure you are not losing any.
Thanks, I thought that was an issue so went looking for leaks and cannot find any. It’s worse in the summer when using the a/c so I had it checked without issue.
 
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It can also be something you used to clean your dashboard with, with the heat it evaporates and creates that film on the windshield, that is why I only clean the inside of the windshields and dashboards with an IPA mix of 80% water 20% alcohol ...

You can also have your windshield tinted very lightly and that will also help prevent it ...
 

Oliver Closehauf

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It's probably the UV stabilizers leaching from the plastic. A dash protector of some kind that will keep sunlight off it is probably the only thing that will work.

I sent an email to Weathertech last year saying they needed to expand into the dash cover market.
 

1970Pelle

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Its from the plastic parts inside your vehicle. It emits a vapor that lands on the inside glass.
The way to clean your inside glass is alcohol. Just your everyday liquid alcohol you pick up at the drug store or Walmart. Even alcohol wipes work great. Thats what I use, take a couple at a time and clean every square inch of glass. Don't be shy with it. Let it dry, and clean with a good glass cleaner.
I use a aerosol glass cleaner over the pump bottle type.
 
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IDSandman

IDSandman

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Thanks guys!! Figured it was from off gassing of the plastic, just never had a truck do it this bad, esp since I run a windshield sun shade. I’ll get busy with the alcohol tonight.
I do not vape or smoke or allow either in my truck.
 

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Always wondered what causes this.
 

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Being a smoker, I use maguires detail (liquid) wax. Won't prevent buildup, but cleans right up without streaking with a microfiber cloth

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Badger 13

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You use Quik Detailer on your inside windows ? It is so hard not to get "streaks" on the inside of the windshield, so I might have to try this.

Thanks for tip.
 
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IDSandman

IDSandman

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Thanks for all the input. Grabbed some fiber optic cleaner from work and went to town on the windshield and dash, wow the dash had sone nasty build up. Used Mcguires on the dash after. Windshield looks a ton better. The FOC worked amazingly well and the windshield hasn’t built up a film yet, 3 days now.
 

1979PowerWagon360

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Other people touched on it but it's from the plastic parts releasing gases. It is called Off Gassing.
Yes this is what I've read many times. Newer cars and trucks and all the plastics cause it. Definitely annoying. And with inside of windshields so much harder to reach now super hard to reach now even harder to put force on rubbing. I've had a little bit of success with isopropyl alcohol immediately followed with ammonia based cleaner.
 
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Yes this is what I've read many times. Newer cars and trucks and all the plastics cause it. Definitely annoying. And with inside of windshields so much harder to reach now super hard to reach now even harder to put force on rubbing. I've had a little bit of success with isopropyl alcohol immediately followed with ammonia based cleaner.
Air fresheners will also cause this especially the ones you put on the air vents when the a/c is turned on ... I use the small fresheners that come in a tin can that you open up with a dial and just put them underneath the seats ..

But best thing to do for the windshield is clean with alcohol and water mixture and nothing else, also the dashboard with nothing but the same .... anything that is put on the dashboards will eventually evaporate and stain the inside of those windshields, I have tons of customers who's vehicles I detail and I always tell them to get rid of the air fresheners
 

yogibear18

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Your dash and other interior parts are off gassing chemicals used to make parts as well as the cleaner, conditioner etc.. is gassing off. I have the same issue and bet everyone else is. Another thought it could be steam passing through from heater core a hair line or pin hole leak ?
 
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