YACT: Windshield problem

[pontifex]

I have a Saturn and the windshield always seems like its fogged up or has some kind of thin film over the inside. If i'm in the shade, you can't really see it but its really noticable in the sun. If the sudden happens to hit the windshield in a certain way, it pretty much makes it so you can't see out of it.

it seems to be only the windshield that has this problem. it was the same way with my last saturn.

what the hell is it and how do i get rid of it? its really annoying.

 

[funboy6942]

Heater core with a hole in it allowing a fine mist of rad fluid to evap and will cause the windshield to fog up and get the film on it. Do you at times smell something sweet because that would clinch it for sure to be the heater core.

 

[jhayx7]

Originally posted by: pontifex
I have a Saturn and the windshield always seems like its fogged up or has some kind of thin film over the inside. If i'm in the shade, you can't really see it but its really noticable in the sun. If the sudden happens to hit the windshield in a certain way, it pretty much makes it so you can't see out of it.

it seems to be only the windshield that has this problem. it was the same way with my last saturn.

what the hell is it and how do i get rid of it? its really annoying.

If you run your finger over the glass on the inside, does it make an oily smudge/streak?

 

[nakedfrog]

Have you cleaned the inside of it with Windex or anything yet?

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: funboy42
Heater core with a hole in it allowing a fine mist of rad fluid to evap and will cause the windshield to fog up and get the film on it. Do you at times smell something sweet because that would clinch it for sure to be the heater core.

can't say that i've noticed any sweet smells. would that cause the whole windshield to be like that or just a certain are? the whole windshield is like this.

If you run your finger over the glass on the inside, does it make an oily smudge/streak?

sort of.

Have you cleaned the inside of it with Windex or anything yet?

yes, but it comes back fairly quickly.

 

[jemcam]

Most of the plastics that surround you in a vehicle are made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). This material is a very stiff, non-flexible material which, with the proper chemical ingredient, can be made very flexible. With the addition of chemicals called Phthalates (pronounced Thall-eights), which is a plastizier; the hard PVC can be made into dash coverings, seat covers, trim panels and other flexible products. During the day when the interior of your vehicle is hot, the chemical evaporates from the dash, seats and other plastic parts. A thin, oily film forms on the inside of the window glass mainly at night when the air is cool, which allows the chemical to condense on the glass.

When enough of the Phthalates have evaporated, the plastic then becomes brittle and non-flexible. Since the plastic can no longer stretch and contract with the temperature extremes, the plastic will then start to crack. The main areas that are affected are also the areas where the temperature extremes are most prevalent, near the defroster vents and in the center of the dash.

 

[allisolm]

What jemcam said (from here). I find that it happens very quickly with a car that is left outside during the day. Sunlight making those pesky plastics react.

 

[pontifex]

ok, so what do i do about it? or am i just screwed?

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: pontifex
ok, so what do i do about it? or am i just screwed?

stop buying american cars with their crappy plastics.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: pontifex
ok, so what do i do about it? or am i just screwed?

stop buying american cars with their crappy plastics.

that doesn't help me right now
and after reading other posts, it doesn't seem to be an american only thing.

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: pontifex
ok, so what do i do about it? or am i just screwed?

Clean it off.
Wait until it reforms.
Clean it off.
Continue for as long as you own the car. 🙂

I had a Maxima that was still doing it after 10 years. I have a 6 yr-old Taurus that still does it.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: allisolm
What jemcam said (from here). I find that it happens very quickly with a car that is left outside during the day. Sunlight making those pesky plastics react.

Would Armor-All make a difference?

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: jemcam

Most of the plastics that surround you in a vehicle are made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). This material is a very stiff, non-flexible material which, with the proper chemical ingredient, can be made very flexible. With the addition of chemicals called Phthalates (pronounced Thall-eights), which is a plastizier; the hard PVC can be made into dash coverings, seat covers, trim panels and other flexible products. During the day when the interior of your vehicle is hot, the chemical evaporates from the dash, seats and other plastic parts. A thin, oily film forms on the inside of the window glass mainly at night when the air is cool, which allows the chemical to condense on the glass.

When enough of the Phthalates have evaporated, the plastic then becomes brittle and non-flexible. Since the plastic can no longer stretch and contract with the temperature extremes, the plastic will then start to crack. The main areas that are affected are also the areas where the temperature extremes are most prevalent, near the defroster vents and in the center of the dash.

:thumbsup: