[2000rpm]

Guys,

Me and a lot of my friends with cars of multiple manufacturers and vintage are facing a unique issue in the Mumbai Rains.

The windshield during rains always seems to be hazy. Even while using the wiper, the windshield doesnt seem to become clear. (Check video attached).

https://youtu.be/MwG_8yCugYM

Things i have tried
1. Wiper usage, Normal AC usage with AC blower on passengers - Doesnt clear the window.
2. Wiper usage, AC on max with blower on windshield - Doesnt clear the window.
3. Wiper usage, AC on Heater and blower on windshield (the windows clear up when heated but the car becomes undriveable, especially since we cant open the windows.)
4. Wiper usage with washer fluid, Normal AC usage with AC blower on passengers - Doesnt clear the window.

My friends with Creta, Ertiga, Innova are also reporting the same.

Can our experienced Mumbai Veterans please help.

[Bsilver]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

The windshield during rains always seems to be hazy. Even while using the wiper, the windshield doesnt seem to become clear. (Check video attached).

What about the recirculation settings. Normally when you need to clear the windshield, you use the windshield setting and switch off the recirculation. This will clear it with the heater setting. Some climate controllers will automatically switch off recirculation when you switch to the windshield defogger setting.
Could you confirm about the recirculation?

Happy Motoring!

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

The windshield during rains always seems to be hazy. Even while using the wiper, the windshield doesnt seem to become clear. (Check video attached).

.

You seem to mixing problems on the inside and the outside of the window?

First you need to check where the haze is. If is it inside, then it is a wiper problem. Difficult to see on the video, but I think the wiper is definitely leaving some haze.

Irrespective, it is always a good idea to clean the in- and outside of the windshield regularly with a proper cleaning agent. It could be just a simple house hold fluid, e.g. some vinegar in warm water. Or use some of the spray on cans.

Using the window wiper washers won't really clean the glass properly.

I use special car glass polish stuff and a special car glass wipe, which I have found to make a huge difference.

Old wipers can leave smears and haze too.

Haze/condensation on the inside is usually a problem with the ventilation system. Check as Bsilver suggested the recirculation. Check you are getting sufficient air flow from the various vents, especially the ones at the front of the dash near the edge of the windshield. Without sufficient air flow, nothing is gonna happen. It might be an indication of a clogged-up cabin filter (if installed) or a stuck ventilation valve.

But again, I emphasise the need for squeaky clean windows on the inside too. If the car is smoked in, you're in for it. Almost impossible to keep the windows from getting steamed up, and haze.

So my advise, check in- versus outside problem. But start with a proper cleaning in- and outside.

Jeroen

[Kosfactor]

Weather is very humid and if the temperature drops outside, then your vehicle`s windshield is a good place for water vapor to condense.

Spray a glasscleaner generously on the windshield and run the wiper, you may have to do this everyday if the route you travel has plenty of standing water on the road, there will be oil residues that would reach your windshield, causing smearing in the night.

Just use the wiper to clear the condensation and you should be good. In our cities its not that easy to use outside air mode \ heater etc due to smoke and other fragrances from outside, so heating up the windshield may not always be possible.

[alpha1]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

Guys,

Me and a lot of my friends with cars of multiple manufacturers and vintage are facing a unique issue in the Mumbai Rains.

The windshield during rains always seems to be hazy. Even while using the wiper, the windshield doesnt seem to become clear. (Check video attached).

Things i have tried
1. Wiper usage, Normal AC usage with AC blower on passengers - Doesnt clear the window.
2. Wiper usage, AC on max with blower on windshield - Doesnt clear the window.
3. Wiper usage, AC on Heater and blower on windshield (the windows clear up when heated but the car becomes undriveable, especially since we cant open the windows.)
4. Wiper usage with washer fluid, Normal AC usage with AC blower on passengers - Doesnt clear the window.

1. You need to add soap/shampoo to your washer fluid. Also while cleaning the glass areas - place special importance to using soapy fluid to clean and DON't RINSE off with plain water.

This is important because you need to understand what haze/fog on the glass is: it is millions of tiny, condensed droplets on the glass. This makes it optically equivalent to glass surface with million tiny, bumps making it opaque.

Soap/shampoo reduces surface tension, in less fancy words that means it doesn't allow water to form spherical droplets when it condenses. In fact, all the tiny droplets will merge with each other forming a thin, flat, water surface through which one can easily see across.

2. You need to keep the AC temperature as high as comfortably possible but do ensure that AC compressor is running all the time. (In some cars, the AC may cut-off at higher temperatures). Also preferably DO NOT direct the AC draft onto any glass surface.

To understand why, you need to understand that fog = tiny droplet condensation. This happens on any surface that is cold but is exposed to moist air (e.g. a tumbler with cold water/ice).

First this happens on the inside surface. The rainy weather has already cooled the glass surface on the inside as well as outside. Introduction of breathing human beings inside the car suddenly increases moisture. This starts condensing on the inside surface. After the AC has had its proper run (say 2-5 minutes), it has removed sufficient moisture, and the fog will vanish from the inside surface.

Now because the AC continues cooling, the temperature may fall lower than outside temperature (that's why I asked you to keep it as high as possible). In such situation the outside surface of the glass starts dropping, and this invites condensation and haze on the outside surface. This is aggravated when you direct the AC draft onto the glass surface (therefore I asked not to point the vents at glass).

Now from the video it is not clear, but could you further elaborate if you have haze issues on the inside surface of glass or the outside surface? (It appears to be on the outside)

[NomadSK]

There are 2 simple hacks to mitigate the issue if the moisture build up is happening internally;

1) Keep silica gel bags inside the car. These reduce humidity and moisture in the cabin and you can refresh them by placing them in the sun or popping them in the microwave. Reasonably priced and can be placed anywhere in the car.

2) Baking Soda/Activated charcoal - Place them in a pan or some textile bag under the seat in the car to absorb the bad odor emanating during rainy weather.

Externally - You need to fill your washer with proper windshield fluid. Soap/shampoo aren't that great, in addition to having a better rubber on your wiper blades.

[ALTIMAed]

This is exactly what is happening in my Comet, specially these days where Delhi NCR is facing humidity at its peak. My colleague and myself drive to Gurgaon everyday. With the pair of us breathing, the inside surface of the windshield fogs up. As a 'best practice', I have always being using shampoo and water in the windshield liquid tank. The only solution I have arrived at is regular usage of windshield wipers with a spray burst and directing the airflow to the windshield on a regular basis. AC cooling set at L2, on recirculatory mode. Hate the outside smell coming inside the car.

[2000rpm]

P.S. - There is no condensation on the inside of the windshield. The car is parked in dry covered parking with only water source being wet cars and their tyres.

I havent switched off recirculation, will try that.

The washer fluid has soap but will increase concentration and try.

Will change the wipers also once.

[microscopic]

See if the matrix given below helps:

[pkulkarni.2106]

Used to happen in my Santro & happens in my Harrier as well.
If I don't use AC, then inside fogs up. If I use AC, then the outside of the windshield gets condensed.
I've been setting the ACC to 30C off late & the problem goes away to a great extent. Plus, there's no fogging inside as well.

Hope it helps!

[hrman]

For me, if it is inside moisture, a combination of keeping the window slightly down and ac at 25/26 temperature helps.
If it is on the outside, please use some formula1 or any good brand glass cleaner. It would most probably be due to formation of impure water/ humidity related where the wiper does not clear it cleanly.

[Cresterk]

You can keep changing wipers all you want but there is contamination on the windshield causing it to fog up like this. Clean it up with a decent glass cleaner or APC to remove any oil and organic contamination. I don’t mean just spray it on and wipe it off. Use a Microfiber towel or mitt to lightly scrub the windshield with it. Use water to rinse off.

Dry it properly with a glass microfiber or a newspaper. Check if there are any hard water spots or scaling.

See if it still happens. If it does, then you need to visit a detailer with better chemicals or polish your windshield.

[na_agrawal]

I'm glad someone started this. I was also wondering the same.







In the above pics, the haze, is only visible when an oncoming headlight falls upon the windscreen. My wipers were replaced last year with Bosch. Additionally, this is not a fog build up. That I have confirmed multiple times by fiddling with the AC and using the heating/recirculation/window methods.

I am now thinking to buy some windshield cleaner. Also, I was thinking of rubbing a cut potato in my glass for an oleophobic effect. I even thought of replacing the windshield but I thought to hold off as that would be too extreme. I don't have a clue on how to proceed. I'm just firing all my guns in all directions.

[pandabear]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

Guys,

Me and a lot of my friends with cars of multiple manufacturers and vintage are facing a unique issue in the Mumbai Rains.

The windshield during rains always seems to be hazy. Even while using the wiper, the windshield doesnt seem to become clear. (Check video attached).

https://Youtu.be/MwG_8yCugYM



Can our experienced Mumbai Veterans please help.

I am not from Mumbai, but I would still take the liberty of answering this question.

Long ago, used to work for a Swedish telecom company. It my first job and I had to travel to remote villages during rains as part of the mobile network roll out.

One of the cab drivers used to generously apply the old white Colgate toothpaste on the windshield spread it with hand and wipe it off worth an old newspaper (no water used) and it used to do the trick. The windshield used to be clear and the water used to just repel and roll away.

Try it and see if if it’s still works and thank me later if it does. Cheers.

[CSA]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

The windshield during rains always seems to be hazy. Even while using the wiper, the windshield doesnt seem to become clear.

Maybe windshield is scratched by hard rubber of wiper blades.

Maybe it is Car Wax polish contamination. Someone or you applied paint wax on roof accidentally or unknowingly.

Maybe it is engine oil fumes from engine bay. Some engine oil leakage or engine oil spilled inside engine bay is converted to fumes when engine is hot and Radiator fan pushes these fumes on windshield.

Never apply paint wax on cars roof because it will drip down over windshield during car wash and wax accumulates in minor scratches of windshield you cannot see them with naked eye and this wax accumulation is only visible with wet windshield.

So all you have you do pick a bottle of 100% isopropyl alcohol and rub your cars whole windshield with it.

Wipe and remove Isopropyl alcohol from windshield with good quality tissue paper only.

Do not use washed or old microfibre towel it's not ideal for wiping. You can use a new microfibre towel but after first wipe your new microfibre towel is use less.

Repeat this process atleast 2 times. If Haze is gone then you are good to go, get your wiper blades replaced put some good quality wiper fluid.

If Haze is still there your windshield is definitely scratched.

I hope it helps.