Hazy Windows FINALLY Clean with BLUE Scotch-Brite Pad!

[Sturdybirdy]

Well my windshield had some kind of defect that caused it to break in perfect concentric circles. It was really weird.

Ahhh. That makes sense.

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[eswimm]

Do not use green Scotch Brite pads, btw. I scratched the crap out of my Model X windshield before I realized they would scratch glass.

 

[CYB3RQ]

https://a.co/d/07qguGCl

Thanks!

 

[Sturdybirdy]

Do not use green Scotch Brite pads, btw. I scratched the crap out of my Model X windshield before I realized they would scratch glass.

Glad you noted this.

 

[Sturdybirdy]

Thanks!

You’re welcome!

 

[Bridgeboy69]

I took it into service twice because I always get notifications to clean my windshield.

Wait. You do realize those notifications are for cleaning the windshield in front on the cameras though, right? It can't know what the rest of your windshield looks like. And those cameras are hidden behind that plastic thing-a-ma-jig piece that supports your rear-view "backseat" camera...

 

[Sturdybirdy]

Wait. You do realize those notifications are for cleaning the windshield in front on the cameras though, right? It can't know what the rest of your windshield looks like. And those cameras are hidden behind that plastic thing-a-ma-jig piece that supports your rear-view "backseat" camera...

Yes, thanks. Whatever was on my windshield was on the entire thing but you couldn’t see it or feel it except in certain light so when they cleaned the FSD camera area it didn’t help because the issue was on the exterior. It was very frustrating.

 

[mbrockus]

Do not use green Scotch Brite pads, btw. I scratched the crap out of my Model X windshield before I realized they would scratch glass.

You are not alone in that discovery.

 

[sharpgator]

I have been detailing cars for decades, and as much as I hate to admit it, the Norwex window cleaning cloth is the best thing that has ever happened to auto glass. It's the only thing I touch my cars with now.

Just use any scrubber with water, and then wipe dry. I'm telling you, perfect finish, no streaks. It's better than anything I've ever tried, including other microfibers.

What makes this better than regular/cheaper microfibers?

Also, I've owned 2 cyber trucks now (24 and 26). On the first one, I felt like the outside of the window was always dirty. The new one does not have this issue. I'm not sure what changed.

 

[no%X#XMVk65v#cq]

What makes this better than regular/cheaper microfibers?

Others leave streaks. These dont.

 

[NSCyber]

Silly question but are you using this on the exterior of the window or the interior or both? With water only or soap? If so, how are you drying it after?

 

[EWELON]

This post is for those with CT windshields that don’t ever seem to get clean.

Ever since I bought my Cybertruck in July of 2024 I’ve had a haze on the windshield that was only noticeable in direct late afternoon or early morning sunlight. When not in direct sunlight, it was crystal clear. I took it into service twice because I always get notifications to clean my windshield. No matter how much I cleaned both the inside and outside of the windshield (and I really, really scrubbed), the issue would never clear up. Service said it was “within spec” but I’m certain they never viewed the windshield in direct, slanted sunlight. I couldn’t feel anything on the surface, and it looked perfectly clear—outside a specific angle of sunlight.

I noticed for the first time this morning that the haziness was no longer uniform. There were a couple areas that looked clearer than the rest of the windshield. I bought a blue scotch-brite pad that was safe for glass and, lo and behold, it removed whatever had been stuck on my windshield this entire time.

Now, before I get e-pounded for being a moron and not trying the scotch-brite pad a long time ago, I do know what I’m talking about (at least as much as the next guy, anyway). I make acoustic guitars and have spent many years in the painting industry. Fingertips are sensitive enough to detect extremely small textures on what should be a smooth surface and I couldn’t feel anything. Normally, when something gets overspray from paint or lacquer, you can feel the little bumps. Regardless, whatever it was, it’s gone now. Attached are a couple of video clips of the issue before it was resolved. Even these clips don’t do it justice. The smartphone camera does a better job cutting through the glare.

Hopefully this helps anyone who just can’t seem to get a clean, glare-free windshield.

Edit: apologies for the audiobook in the background…I could figure out how to mute.

blue scotch brite and what cleaning liquid? water? sprayway? got the scotch brites in the amazon cart!

 

[Bridgeboy69]

because the issue was on the exterior.

Wait, so your issue was on the outside surface of the windshield? Or that was not what you meant? Most likely your haze was the typical haze that eventually builds up on all windshields, on all vehicles, on the inside, which is caused by outgassing of plastics in the vehicle. The same outgassing causing the problem with the cameras...but everywhere for you.

Some of these CT's sat with windows up and in the heat for a long time before they were sold and had this haze from the beginning. Mine had some and I read on these forums to use Dawn dish soap (with water) to clean it first, then use like Sprayway after. The chemicals causing the haze will break down by the degreasers in the soap, but the window cleaner won't affect them.

I think I foound the one (although there are many threads on this):

A quart spray bottle of water with around 4-5 drops of Dawn seems to be just enough to break down the new car gassing 'fog' that accumulates on the inside of our windows.

And this is the pole I used to do it:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFZLPT7B?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1

It worked great and that was over a year ago and I have not had to do it again ever since. Although I do have tinted windows now.

 

[Sturdybirdy]

blue scotch brite and what cleaning liquid? water? sprayway? got the scotch brites in the amazon cart!

I cleaned a small test section with just the scotch-brite pad (no liquid) and it worked fine. After that I did a couple squirts of Kochchemie glass cleaner and went to town aggressively with the scotch pad. After that I cleaned my windows like I normally do. Here’s a picture of my “normal” cleaning supplies. I should have included a can Sprayway in the pic.

 

[Sturdybirdy]

Wait, so you're issue was on the outside surface of the windshield? Or that was not what you meant? Most likely your haze was the typical haze that eventually builds up on all windshields, on all vehicles, on the inside, which is caused by outgassing of plastics in the vehicle. The same outgassing causing the problem with the cameras...but everywhere for you.

The issues was some sort of uniform coating on the outside surface of the windshield that could only be seen in direct morning or afternoon sunlight. In most other lighting conditions, the windshield looked clear. Also, I couldn't feel the coating at all. As I mentioned earlier, normally the average fingertip can detect extremely small irregularities on a smooth surface and I couldn't feel a thing. It was really weird. I was just learning to live with it because I thought it was something inside the glass. It's a huge deal to finally have a clean windshield--though it's still a pain in the ass to get perfectly clean.
It was definitely not offgassing--I dealt with that in the early days of owning the truck. Hope that makes sense. And I hope it helps others with the same issue.

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