So this started a couple of days ago when I left my car in the sun. The windshield got fogged up in the middle and I've been trying to get rid of it and I just can't! This is some crazy ___ condensation cuz I tried everything. I know how to use the A/C and how to turn on the defogger and everything but it just doesn't go away. I've even driven with all my windows open and the sunroof open and it's still there! I've had it for like 2 days now. I've tried using cold air, warm air and hot air and it still won't go away. Very weird. Any ideas?

 

Hey ... I noticed a similar fog or condensation on my tC when I first got it... but my condensation occured at night... I think you need to go over your windshield in and outside (probably inside) with some sort of window cleaner.

There is probably a film of something on your window that is causing the water to condense in that area... try that and see if it works.

 

You try wiping it off? Try putting some defogger...or use your spit or toothpaste (snorkel/scuba trick)..

A/C, windows up = clear windows
A/C, windows down = waste of A/C
Fan, windows up = fog
Fan, windows down = clear windows
Heated fan, windows down, clear windows...

*shrug* I have no clue what that is... Maybe a flawed windshield?

 

I think it is the detailers at the dealers wiping down the car to get it ready for customer inspection... I believe they may have used a dirty rag or one with wax residue....

 

Wild guess ... maybe it's Armor All or similar substance from the dash that evaporated in the heat?

I had a similar problem with my xB in the first month. IIRC lots of other people had the same problem. Try glass cleaner and Simple Green spray.

 

I also have the same problem...in the morning, my car looks like it has been sitting in a rainforest with all the condensation on it. It goes away after awhile but it is still very weird...

 

get a cup or something, mix water and vinegar, and use 2 lint-free clothes. One for the inside, one for the outside. Wipe all the windows...

 

If it's a new car, as I understand it, it's the stuff they use from the factory to treat the dash that causes the fogging. Use a vinegar solution to get rid of it.

 

if you have tint, never ever ever ever use vinegar in your car. It'll turn it purple.

The fog usually is caused by the plastic in the car leeching out into the air and ending up on your window. My wife actually uses a clean blackboard eraser to get it off (just rubs).

 

Umm don't you mean ammonia? I thought vinegar was completely safe. Windex has ammonia in it, and since it's a base it reacts with the metal in the tint to make that purple ____ appear. That's why tinters always say "DO NOT USE WINDEX OR ANYTHING WITH AMMONIA!!" . I forget, is vinegar a base or an acid. Oh well, anyone have more info?

 

The “fog” on the inside of the front window is actually an oily-film caused by process called “out gassing”.



WHAT IS IT?

Remember the "new car smell?” That is an example of outgassing. The foggy window is typical of the long-term effects, a haze deposited on surfaces. Many synthetic materials (plastic, vinyl, etc) will emit gases under heat and UV, such as the heat of the sun on the interior of your car.

These "volatile" materials are present in almost all polymeric/synthetic materials, such as the vinyl, soft plastics, carpet and hard plastic interiors, as well as the wiring. As heat is applied, the volatile organic compounds (or VOC's) evaporate from the material .The gaseous molecules are free to be redeposited on a cooler surface, such as a car window, mirror, or any other surface.

It is debated that Armor-all (and other vinyl protectors sprays) may only make the problem worse.



HOW DO I FIX IT?

Prevention

Park in the shade to keep the interior temperature down. Perhaps a car cover might help if no shade can be found.

Use windshield shades. We use an oversize one, which actually consists of two separate shades (the collapsible fabric on wire frame type) which are sold for vans and other vehicles with large windshields.

It may help to "cook" the car on a few hot days with the windows down so as to get rid of the outgassing stuff all at once.


Cleaning Windows

20/20 Auto Glass Cleaner
Windex (with Ammonia)
Lint free paper towels

Sources:
http://www.eanet.com/kodama/ev1/tips.htm
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/stuff/8020stuff.html
http://store.auto-geek.net/eagone20glas.html

:D

 

Wow thanks guys! I had no idea there was so much science behind a foggy window. Now I think I know what's causing it...I bought a "sticky mat" and put it on the dash to hold my sunglasses, cell phone etc... Maybe it's the sticky mat that's causing this. After all this problem just started recenty when I bought it. Hmm... I will experiment and let everyone know. Also pics will be posted. Thanks for everyone's help. :D

 

Stinky mat could definitely do it...

The only fog I get is if I drive with AC on, then turn off the car, I get a little bit of fog on the bottom of the windshield - but that's normal.

 

Vinegar is acidic, and both acids and bases will react in certain ways with certain metals at certain concentrations. Vinegar is no more safe than using ammonia on the tint.

In most cases, purple tint results from older dye based tint fading due to prolonged exposure to the sun. However, in metallized tint, I would be more concerened with chemicals reacting with the glue than the metal.

 

We're talking about windshields. You don't (legally) tint windshields.

And you NEVER use ammonia or vinegar on tint. They both act as solvents. This is the stuff that's used to remove tint, not to mention the discoloration which can by caused by dye-based tints (ceramic and metallic tints won't purple unless they're dyed).

I use a dish soap / water solution. 3-4 drops of Dawn or whatever in a spray bottle with water will usually do it.

 

think that depends on how good your brand of tint is... I've had Johnson tint and used the Windex brand with Vinegar (instead of Ammonium-D which will eat through the adhesive and take off your tint) and I've never had problems... of course, it's not raw vinegar with water so maybe that's why...

 

Or maybe your heater core is going and you're evaperating coolent into the cabin"? Do you smell something sweet?

 

Please! He's not driving a "domestic" car! GM is notorious for this heater core corrosion ... and that's only because of the infamous "dex-cool" they use in their cars and trucks.

 

OMG! Yes I do smell something sweet....but it's that new air freshener I bought...I hope.. I really doubt that a brand new car would be evaporating coolent. Right? Right? Right????

 

Don't worry! This type of heater core failure usually happens over a period of time and is prevalent in domestic cars, especially GM junk.

Anyhow, the coolant would coat everything in the interior with a sticky-like film. You would definitely "feel" it!