This e-mail serves to put you on notice as much as to solicit help. Two Sat. ago I took the car to a White Glove Car Wash - normally I like to wash myself but I was running late for a date. Well as the car is going through the cycle that sprays on the soap the car wash track gets jammed. So my car sits there for a good 15 to 20 minutes soaped up w/o being rinsed. Finally they resolve the problem and as the car comes to end of the line I run to tell the day manager that I paid for the "Elite" wash or whatever the top choice was and that barely any of the cycles were functioning as it came through. The manager was real cool and said: "I'll hook you up" so they take the car around to the detail bay and actually give me a hand wash and quick wax. Well as I am driving home into the sun I see these streaks on the windshield. I get home and nothing is getting them off so I go back to the White Glove. After various applications they get them off with either Rain-X or a wax (wasn't paying attention at this point as a really hot girl pulled in in vert bimmer). Anyway the streak looked to have been removed. Well this Sat. the car got caught in a little rain. After the rain, I towelled her off and noticed those streaks had reappeared. So I went back to the White Glove and again they tried several things in the detail bay but still no luck. 1st off have to admit, the Asst. Manager was real nice and took good care of me. He said that we would have to have the regional manager take a look and when I told him that I no longer had my receipt he said that we would tell him that he remembered me and he proceeded to right me a handwritten note with an account of the probelm, his name and his manager's contact info. I told him that I wasn't trying to be difficult - and he cut me off and said" Hey man, if that was my Vette, I would act the same way and would want it fixed no matter what" - so he seems to be very understanding.

So now be forewarned that apparently if this soap sits on your car too long it presents a problem to the windshield (I'd post pics but its really hard to see). The body panels appear to be okay but the window exhibits streaks as to where the soap ran down the windshield.

Has anyone had this problem? I am going to speak w/the regional manager this week when he is in this area - so I'll keep you posted. Sorry for the long post - just wanted to provide a warning to everyone.

On a lighter note had a cool run in with a light blue C5 with black rims on 42 Sunday afternoon if anyone knows who that may be.

 

You might try a little bit of diluted rubbing alchohol. After going to Carlisle this year, I couldn't get the damn glue off the windshield from the registration sticker they use. Had to use some diluted rubbing alchohol and water. Worked perfectly. Just don't get it on the paint since it'll strip your wax.

 

The moral of the story?

Never, EVER take your car to a car wash!!!



EG

 

Alex, thanks - I'll give it a try when todays rain subsides.

Stephen, moral learned - next time I'll go on my date in a dirty Vette rather than the Superstreak....she's super streaky! (sorry bad Rick James reference - trying to find humor in this story)

 

Charlie,

The question remains - was she worth it? And if yes - does she have a sister?

Stephen

 

My wife bought these packets of wipes from K-Mart, I think, that are intended for removing sticker residue on glass. She bought them to remove price stickers from picture frames. I used one to remove residue from the VA state inspection sticker I scraped off (I live in MD). Anyway, these things work like magic. I'll post the brand name when I find it. In the meantime, if you want to try to find them they come in a small box containing 10, or so, foil packs.

Man, I wonder what residue is on your paint dude!

 

I haven't been to a car wash in...well...ever?!

 

 

there is a product called "bon ami" that may take the stains off. it is a bar or can of powder that is a slight abrasive, you wet it and rub it on and then after it is dry rub off. good luck

 

Definitely not worth the streaks on my car - no longer dating her. And no but has a brother if your are interested?

 

It's cool that the manager is willing to do what it takes to fix the problem. My insurance includes broken glass coverage (waves my deductable) so I would pop it with a hammer and get it replaced. Is that legal? Oh well.

 

Cool, thanks. Where do I get it?

 

I'll try the suggestions here and thank you all. Its really bizzare. Its sort of like an iridescent (sp?) film - you have to catch it at the right angle to see and is more noticeable with polarized sunglasses on.

 

This works!

 

All of these problems seem to revolve around women and your pursuit of same. Maybe there's a lesson here.

 

Never have, never will.

But still.... WHAT DOES SHE LOOK LIKE!!!! (And that doesn't mean your car, either.)

 

Rainex does make a window cleaner that's like a liquid tootpaste and it will clean most nongreasy stuff off of glass, but as far as really getting the glass clean, try Invisible Glass. A 16 oz. spray can is about $3.00 and its about the only thing I have found that will even make the area outside of your wipers match the area covered by your wipers.

 

But having said that, try to clay bar the windshield, it always works great for me. Good Luck.

 

Ah she had a nice body, okay face, but was about as talkative as a brick wall.

Dumped her....

 

Never used a car wash. It's better by hand and I kow that I can get all of the joggles and voids.
Try white vinegar with regular news print.
Something about the Soy ink and the vinegar does great.