2000 Expedition with factory tinted windows. The exterior of the side windows has a pronounced haze that regular window cleaner (windex etc) doesn't remove.

What can I use to remove this haze that won't damage the window tinting?

BTW I have no idea if factory tint is applied inside, outside or in the glass or if it can even be damaged by a cleaner.

 

Tint is in the glass. #0000 steel wool cleans glass great and will not scratch it.

 

Glad to hear ithe tint's in the glass. Sounds a little scary taking steel wool to it but I'll trust you. Do I do it wet or dry?

 

I usually do it dry, blow off the mess, then clean with Windex. Been doing it for ten years restoring vehicles and haven't scratched one yet. Just stay away from plastic molding and paint. Remember thats #0000 fine steel wool.

 

What causes this? i have noticed on all my old Fords this has not happened but my 2006 it has along with other newer trucks including all makes.

 

Thanks gfw, I remember using 0000 fine steel wool to polish up some old chrome wheel covers. I'll give it a shot.

 

Water spots from washing and deposits from acid rain.

 

Caution:
Steel wool works great to clean the window glass but DO NOT use it on the mirror glass. It will scratch it.
I learned this the hard way.

 

Is there a way .. other then replacing the glass ... to repair scratches in the glass? I have one set of door glass that the wiper / anti-rattle strip was shot and the metal clips scratched the glass. I have replaced said glass however I still have the old and was wondering before I pitch it ... if It could be repaired??

there pretty heavy and deep. You can see them as soon as you look at the glass and can feel with your finger let alone with a finger nail.

 

Not that I know of. Couple kits out there to remove scratches, but don't work if you can feel with fingernail, much less your finger.

 

pretty much what I thought. Thanks for the response. Guess I need to maybe knock the track off the bottom of the glass and pitch it.

 

I know this was last posted on a long time ago, but I have the same situation, I recently bought an 02 Explorer sport, both driver and passenger side windows have vertical streaks that go across the window, I cannot feel any scratches with my fingernail, and it will not come off with any product i have used so far. I have tried the 0000 steel wool, Windex, haven't tried the vinegar yet, but I thought i would post here, It is very difficult to drive at night. any help is appreciated.

 

I'm in the auto glass biz so maybe this will help.............

Windex and most other consumer grade window cleaners are absolutely worthless. I use a product called Burco Window-Glo however its available only through glass retailers/wholesalers. It will astound you how good it is. I can't/won't speak for your local glass guys but I can buy five GALLONS of this stuff in a suitable bulk package for less than $30.

The triple and quad ought steel wool is an excellent method HOWEVER the glass needs to be flooded with water while in use, a spritzer spray bottle works just fine. New single edge razor blades also work but can be dangerous to fingers etc---proceed with caution.

Your particular marks are most likely minor abrasions not yet able to be felt with a finger or finger nail, caused by the outside weather strips which have worn out. Today's cheaper materials degrade quickly and in the presence of sunlight this happens faster than we might realize.

Sadly there's little choice but to replace the glass IF the steel wool trick doesn't work. Since door glass is tempered it cannot be successfully polished---it will explode due heat build up from the process.

Not sure this helps but hopefully aims you in some sort of direction.

 

Thanks, I will try the steel wool wet. I only tried it dry like suggested above.

 

Hope it works better Anthony---keep us updated please!