Is it necessary to remove stains when the steering mirror is blurred?
Oil film, stains or mineral residue appearing on the windshield is a fairly common condition after a period of use, especially for cars that are often parked outdoors or moving in heavy rain. However, according to a car repair technician at Ninety Eight Auto (Cat Lai ward, Ho Chi Minh City), not every case requires polishing or stain removal with specialized chemicals.
For cars that are only covered in dust, oil film or mild dirt, car owners can self-clean at home with specialized car window cleaning solution combined with a microfiber towel (which is a towel woven from a very small chemical fiber called microfiber). After cleaning, it is necessary to dry completely to avoid leaving water or film stains on the glass.
Meanwhile, long-term stains caused by calcium residue, hard water or chemicals clinging to the glass surface are often more difficult to treat. In these cases, it may be necessary to use a specialized stain remover solution combined with a glass polishing pad or a polishing machine.
However, using the wrong product or rubbing too hard can create tiny scratches on the glass surface, increasing the phenomenon of flashing lights at night.
Glass stain remover is not a "panacea" just needing to apply it and then wipe it clean, the glass will return to its original state. For heavily stained glass, the treatment process usually includes many steps such as cleaning the surface, removing mineral residue, checking scratches, polishing if necessary, and finally applying a protective layer to limit dirt recurrence.
Do not abuse online tips
Currently, many instructions for using soap, toothpaste or household bleaches to clean windshields have appeared on social networks. However, Ninety Eight Auto recommends not applying them arbitrarily.
Some household bleaches can leave film on the glass, causing glare when driving in the rain or at night. Products containing inappropriate abrasives also have the risk of scratching the glass if used incorrectly.
For waterproof coating products, this is a technology developed by many companies to help rainwater quickly drift out of the windshield when the car is running at high speed, thereby improving visibility.
However, the effectiveness of the coating depends on the product quality, construction process, and condition of the rain wiper blade. If the coating is degraded or the wiper blade is worn, the glass may experience vibration, jumping, or water stains when wiping. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the wiper blade periodically and construct the coating according to the manufacturer's instructions.
When should you bring your car to the garage?
If the glass is only oily or has a common stain, the car owner can clean it at home.
Conversely, if the glasses show white patches due to mineral debris, long blur marks after many cleanings, or there are small scratches that reduce visibility, the car should be taken to a car care facility with specialized equipment for inspection and treatment.
When the windshield is blurred during use, the car owner should check the condition of the windshield wiper blade, windshield washer and water spray system before considering polishing or removing stains, because these are the most common causes of reduced visibility.
