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That new car film inside windows

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by abq sfr, Apr 4, 2007.

  1. abq sfr

    abq sfr New Member

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    My 2007 Prius has the same problem my 2000 Sienna had when new... the interior plastic and fabric are degassing so much it is coating the inside of the windows, making it difficult to see when heading into the sun. I guess that's the source of the "new car smell". I've tried using Windex, that just smears it around. Got any good suggestions for some cleaner that will cut through it? Maybe if I leave the windows open half an inch it will vent out and not redeposit. You gotta wonder about the health benefits of those gases... I think I remember high nitrates or something.
     
    #1 abq sfr, Apr 4, 2007
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I use ArmorAll AutoGlass glass cleaner.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Apr 4, 2007
  3. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    I use Meguiar's NXT glass cleaner. (And the smell will drive you insane. :D )
     
    #3 Godiva, Apr 4, 2007
  4. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(abq sfr @ Apr 4 2007, 02:24 PM) [snapback]417787[/snapback]</div>
    A thin layer of plastic will protect your lungs from dust, pollution, and oxygen. Not only that but it gives you lungs a healthy looking sheen that will last for decades. :D

    I've wondered about that too.
     
    #4 tripp, Apr 4, 2007
  5. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    #5 aaf709, Apr 4, 2007
  6. aapopper

    aapopper New Member

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    I do one of two things. either of them seem to work:

    1) Invisible Glass by, I believe, Stoner. A spray of that followed by wiping dry with a paper towel does the job for me.

    2) A damp microfibre cloth followed by a paper towel rubdown.

    I believe I saw the Invisible Glass at Wal-mart just the other day. In any case, I've seen it in the Advance Autoparts stores in my area. Stores of the same type in your area most likely will keep it as well.

    Personally, my preference is #2.
     
    #6 aapopper, Apr 4, 2007
  7. seasalsa

    seasalsa Active Member

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    Invisible Glass works for me. Many glass cleaners contain a wax that just adds to the problem.
     
    #7 seasalsa, Apr 4, 2007
  8. BethlehemPrius

    BethlehemPrius New Member

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    Invisible glass in the aerosol can by Stoner is a kick a** product. No streaks and leaves the car shining. It also works great at home.

    They also sell a product called Trim shine which works great both on outside black plastic and the interior trim work.

    And like someone else said, always a microfiber towel.
     
    #8 BethlehemPrius, Apr 4, 2007
  9. abq sfr

    abq sfr New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BethlehemPrius @ Apr 4 2007, 10:53 PM) [snapback]418026[/snapback]</div>
    I found a bottle of ArmorAll glass cleaner in my garage... didn't work worth a poop when using paper towels. I'll go get a bottle of Invisible Glass and a microfiber towel tonight. I think the problem is exacerbated in the Prius because you look SIDEWAYS through the glass because its so aerodynamic, both in the front and back. That makes even the slightest film look 10x worse. Thanks for all the suggestions!
     
    #9 abq sfr, Apr 5, 2007
  10. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(seasalsa @ Apr 4 2007, 10:03 PM) [snapback]417943[/snapback]</div>
    I tried using Invisible Glass, but the first time I set down the bottle I couldn't find it again. :p

    Tom
     
    #10 qbee42, Apr 5, 2007
  11. Beryl Octet

    Beryl Octet New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(abq sfr @ Apr 4 2007, 03:24 PM) [snapback]417787[/snapback]</div>
    Windex with vinegar works for me, but I use old terrycloth bath towels instead of paper towels. Leaving a window cracked when parked also helps, if possible.
     
    #11 Beryl Octet, Apr 5, 2007
  12. abq sfr

    abq sfr New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Beryl Octet @ Apr 5 2007, 10:53 PM) [snapback]418627[/snapback]</div>
    I hesitate leaving front windows open, the placement of the unlock buttons in front would make it easy to use a stick or wire through the window to unlock the car... I don't have the alarm system. Back windows might be ok to leave open.

    I bought invisible glass last night and a microfiber towel. No film inside windshield this morning! Back window was so bad it still has the film/streaking after cleaning, guess I need to go over it with a clean microfiber towel, the one I used yesterday is probably all gunked up. Thanks for all the suggestions!

    Invisible Glass + microfiber towel = :D
     
    #12 abq sfr, Apr 6, 2007
  13. tnymntna

    tnymntna New Member

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    What works VERY well is buy using your favorite glass cleaner + NEWSPAPER to clean it off! Yes NEWSPAPER! I don't know why, but newspaper will not leave any streaking of smuding behind!
     
    #13 tnymntna, May 2, 2007
  14. jimmyrose

    jimmyrose Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Apr 5 2007, 11:24 PM) [snapback]418614[/snapback]</div>
    :lol: :lol: :lol: Think that's what Wonder Woman used on her plane?
     
    #14 jimmyrose, May 2, 2007
  15. priussoris

    priussoris New Member

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    Good ole vinegar and water wiped off with a crumpled newspaper or lint free microfiber cloth you have laying around.
     
    #15 priussoris, May 2, 2007
  16. bobc

    bobc New Member

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    Just repeating what others have said:

    Can't beat Stoner's or vineager (sp?) and water.

    And yes, newspaper!

    Cheers,
     
    #16 bobc, May 2, 2007
  17. phidauex

    phidauex Junior Member

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    Just a note, window tint (and even some OEM films that are on the glass, which the Prius may or may not have) are damaged by glass cleaners that contain ammonia. You know that bubbly tint you see on cars sometimes? That is often the result of using Windex on the glass. Worst part is, it doesn't do it right away, it just slowly eats away the adhesive, so one day it may bubble..

    Make sure you use a glass cleaner that is safe for tint (like all the auto-specific choices). Vinegar is probably fine too.

    -Sam
     
    #17 phidauex, May 3, 2007
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