I just got my RX-8 about 3 weeks ago, and I already see a ton of what looks like waterspots all over the windshield. I regularly clean all the windows about once a week with Rain-X windshield cleaner. Just yesterday I went through with the cleaner + crumpled newspaper, and then did a Rain-X application (1st time). It was after that that I saw all these little whiteish outlines all over the windshield. Is there any way to get them off??? It's actually at the point where it's hindering my rear view.

 

Zaino's glass polish does a good job with that sort of thing:

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...ory_Code=Zaino

I would imagine similar glass polish products would work just as well.

--SL01

 

I would recommend using a Clay Bar on the windshield. Works great!

 

I use Armor-All glass cleaner on my windshield whenever I wash the car. It works wonders. Also, if you're going to apply Rain-X, make sure the windows are 1000% spotless.

 

I'll probably look into getting a clay bar...although I don't recall seeing the local auto shops (Napa, Checkers) selling any.

Another problem I was having was the wipers chattering and squeaking across the windshield. I'm guessing it's because of the Rain-X cleaner and application? I tried using isopropyl alcohol on the wipers like a previous thread on this problem said to do, and it made things even worse. Should I consider new blades? Was considering silicone ones I saw at Walmart.

 

Also, make sure that the spots, for whatever reason, aren't on the inside.

 

The Walmart blades are ok but the metal pieces on top rust after the first couple of showers. I usually get Bosch micro excel blades. They last pretty long, but wipers should be changed every year anyhow. I wonder if anyone's tried the Rain X blades.

 

edit: nm, I re-read the original post and the reference to white outlines

 

I had the same issue. It got so bad that I was really getting PO'd. I tried invisible glass, armor all glass cleaner, windex...you name it...never got better. So I finally tried my friends suggestion of using a WET piece of super fine steel wool, with a glass polishing compound. This got the windshield SUPER clean, but actually left the glass "sticky"...very wierd, I've never felt sticky glass....anyway, after it was clean I applied cheap knock off product that is the same as rainX (my friends, but I've seen it at Checkers...just don't remember the name)...then I used the invisible glass on the inside, with newspaper. Needless to say, this is a lot of work, but it was worth it!!!! I couldn't stop singing my friends praise afterwords, It's been weeks, and the glass still looks great...I'll probably wind up doing this every few months or so.

Good luck.

 

Tried a clay bar recently, and that didn't work. Looks like the steel wool is up next...

As far as the chattering wipers go...an application of Rain-X suprisingly helped that problem out. But I still wouldn't mind trying out some silicon wipers that leave behind a coating of silicon, as someone here in the past experienced.

 

PIAA has silicon wiper blades too.

I once used a very fine sample of steel wool on my windshield to get rid of waterspots. It worked quite well, but I'm reluctant to use it on my 8.

 

Do you park near a sprinkler system??? I use Eagle One Window polish. It works great. Once every 3 months or so I use isopropyl alcohol along with an abrasive cloth. This does the trick nicely.

Good luck.

- Irish

 

Using a product that makes water sheet off would work I'd think. RainX makes water bead, so when dew forms in the early morning, it beads up and then dries that way.

Do you live in an area with a lot of industrial fallout? That stuff can collect in the water droplets and get left behind when the droplets evaporate.

 

Vertigo: I don't know if you have found the solution to your problem, but I was just watching ESPN a minute ago and there was some car show sponsored by Mother's. They had a little tutorial on window cleaning and they had some interesting solutions for water spots. First, try vinegar. Then, clay bar. Then, of all things, use CHROME POLISH on your window. Follow that up with a glass cleaner and the windshield should be spotless. Let us know if it works!

 

Chrome polish on glass? Very interesting because I worked as a custodian in a school years ago and we used glass cleaner to polish the chrome taps in the bathrooms. Nothing worked as good, including "chrome" polish.
Do you believe in U.F.O's?

 

I also use glass cleaner every once and a while to clean my sink faucet, but I wouldn't even think about doing that with our chrome tips. The differences between the two, I believe, are that a) our chrome exhaust tips are exposed to the outdoor elements; a sink is not, and b) chrome polish supposedly has ingredients in it that remove tarnishing and add a protective layer to the metal; glass cleaner does not.

 

Get some baking soda and vinger, heard that works to remove the build up from the hard water that causes them water spots.