Okay so anyone owning an E van has seen or has those nasty looking stained side and rear door windows, the oily-looking trails leading downward from the button headed metal attaching bolts. here's a few ideas to reduce their appearance. Photos for those who like pictures too!

One of the ugly beasts caught on film:


I begin with a spray bottle of water and a new single edged razor blade, working on just one at a time. Soak the area quite liberally, use the razor blade to scrape as much of the stain away as you can, reapply water often. There might be a noticeable build up somewhat easily removed by just this action if this has never been done. Repeat until the razor blade no longer has any effect. Wipe the water away from time to time, checking your progress but reapply before beginning again.

Some progress made, mostly with the razor blade and firm pressure on the wiping cloth:


From this point use either a Scotch-Brite pad, fine (white) or medium (green) OR 0000 steel wool. This step requires flooding the area with water while GENTLY rubbing the stain with the abrasive. It can't be stressed enough the importance of water and gentle pressure otherwise you will scratch the glass. Persistence is paramount, get in a rush to complete and you WILL have scratches!

Repeat the flooding, gentle rubbing and wiping water away until you're satisfied. Eventually you'll have this:




Looking closely at the last photo's lower right bolt head area you'll see the results of not being careful and taking your time with this. The scratches were already present when I bought this van. Its a good reminder what can happen.

At this same time it might be a good idea to check the window mounting bolts and nuts---I've seen them either work loose over time. Using nothing more than a hand held 10mm nut driver CAREFULLY snug the acorn nuts. If they seem tight already and don't easily crank down just LEAVE THEM ALONE!


Here's one more method for such a project:https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ndow-haze.html

Always keep in mind you're working with automotive tempered glass--it WILL break if not careful! Not trying to scare anyone and this is not brain surgery but myself being impatient yet in the auto glass biz I know from experience haste makes waste!

Oh, if you'd like this from recurring clean your windows more often with a good cleaner. If you do its not necessary to repeat these steps every go 'round. Another idea is to wax the windows using a very hard paste formula, the stuff that requires a lot of elbow grease.

So hopefully this is helpful or just semi-interesting reading. Comments or questions always welcome!

 

My current E350 doesn't have those windows, but I had those windows on my previous Ford E. I never got around to it but always planned to remove the rust and paint the bolts.

I'm surprised you didn't do it

 

I'm not quite that **** about all that---cargo only work van. They're tough to see at 65 MPH anyway, not even visible behind the steering wheel!

Were I to do that though I'd use something like a black Plasti-Dip or similar, anything that would last a long time.

 

Ok ok but now you must tell me what is Plati-Dip ?

 

Plasti-Dip is that canned stuff to coat tools and such with a plastic-like coating. To wit: Coatings and Adhesives, Rubber and Plastic Coatings | Plasti Dip Interntional

Any sort of paint would work too!