Water beads on the Windows - hard to see out !

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by PriusNeckBeard, Nov 11, 2016.

  1. PriusNeckBeard

    PriusNeckBeard Active Member

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    When it rains, (or was it, after it rains? it's been a week...)
    water beads up on the windows.
    Light gets reflected - it's hard to see out to turn, etc.

    Is there a Rain-x type product that would fix this?
    (or maybe that was the cause! -- I just bought the car).

    I've never had this problem on a car before, that I can remember.

    I can put a towel in the car and use that,
    but I'd rather make a permanent fix.

    thx,
    PNB
     
    #1 PriusNeckBeard, Nov 11, 2016
  2. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Rainx
    Wipe it on.
    Also - maybe you need new windshield wipers?
     
    #2 Jimi1976, Nov 11, 2016
  3. PriusNeckBeard

    PriusNeckBeard Active Member

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    Jimi - to be clear -
    the problem is the side windows
    (The windshield is fine)

    There were like 100 medium-sized droplets all over the driver's window.
    Headlights illuminated these and refracted through, so hard to see out.
     
    #3 PriusNeckBeard, Nov 11, 2016
  4. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Sounds like a good cleaning is in order.
    Spray foam glass cleaner, microfiber cloth
     
    #4 Jimi1976, Nov 11, 2016
  5. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    They waxed the side windows. Clean off the wax using "Dawn" dish detergent. Don't get too much on the cars painted surfaces, it's not really good for the paint, though a little won't harm anything. I recommend a small bucket with the Dawn in it diluted, of course, and a "hand towel" or micro-fibre cloth. Soak the cloth and wring it out, then use it to clean the windows. When done, rinse the car and dry.
    Once done, the water will form a film all over the window and you shouldn't have too much trouble with it "beading".
     
    #5 David Beale, Nov 11, 2016
    Robert Holt, PriusNeckBeard and Bluegrassman like this.
  6. PriusNeckBeard

    PriusNeckBeard Active Member

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    David, you rock! Thanks!!

    You know, I bought the car used gettin a dealership that owns the car wash places. Maybe they sprayed some kind of overall spray wax stuff over the entire car as a cheap way to make it look good . ??

    Does this mean I should Dawn the headlights too?

    They've given me a year's worth of free car washes. Maybe I'll have to do this every time I get the car washed. It's one of those automated car washes.

    Strangely, a week or so after I got the car, scratches appear on the driver's side that I hadn't noticed when I bought the car. I wrote it off to new owner excitement blindness, but nite I wonder if they put some cheap wax on that covered the scratches and then wore off with the first rain or something.

    Maybe I should strip that crap and do my own wax job before winter? Or am I ok. I've never waxed a car before.

    Thx for any further thoughts.
     
    #6 PriusNeckBeard, Nov 11, 2016
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I wonder if it's related to this:

    Water-Repellent Glass Explained | PriusChat

    It was on some US levels as an option, and in our 2010 Canadian brochure it's part of "Technology Package". The description: "Water Repellant Front Door Glass". But still, it's supposed to make rain run off better, not bead, so do not know.

    Maybe try a heavy duty automotive glass cleaner?
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Nov 11, 2016
  8. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    Yep clean the windows thoroughly with a specific cleaner.
    I like General Motors Foaming Window Cleaner @$6.
    Dawn removes waxes so that could be a good idea for prep before the window cleaner.
    Apply Rain X.

    I really like that Rain X product; been using for decades.

    Let us know if you solved this satisfactorily.
     
    #8 Kenny94945, Nov 11, 2016
  9. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Rain X. Follow the instructions.


    iPad ?
     
    #9 jzchen, Nov 12, 2016
  10. PriusNeckBeard

    PriusNeckBeard Active Member

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    Will do, all.
    Will report back.

    Thanks !
     
    #10 PriusNeckBeard, Nov 12, 2016
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