Stupid question about dirty windows in the Smart

doogster · 07-01-2008, 03:27 AM

With cars I've had in the past - after, say, a month or 2 - the windshield and side windows would start to develop, what I might describe as a dirty "film". Simply cleaning the glass with a glass cleaner would make them sparkle and shine and off I'd go for another 2 months....

BUT - in the smart - after 2 weeks I had that film develop on the windshield and side windows... didn't really think that much of it... I cleaned them all and they sparkled...

Now its been another 2 weeks and the film is BACK!!!

I'm a non-smoker... shower everyday.... what is causing this film???

Is anyone else seeing this?

mdfortwoguy · 07-01-2008, 03:39 AM

All new cars get this... it is residue from the outgassing of the vinyl and other materials used in production.

It's just something you have to ride out. After you wipe the windows down with glass cleaner, use a second clean towel to buff the streaks off of them, and it will help it not be as noticable for a few weeks. Alternately, you can use newspaper to clean your windows - although I don't like this method because you can leave behind ink on interior surfaces once the paper gets saturated enough.

bull8042 · 07-01-2008, 04:40 AM

If it helps any, I am seeing the exact thing within the same time frame. I bought a can of glass cleaner wipes and hit the windows when I wash the car.

jonnysan · 07-01-2008, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogster

With cars I've had in the past - after, say, a month or 2 - the windshield and side windows would start to develop, what I might describe as a dirty "film". Simply cleaning the glass with a glass cleaner would make them sparkle and shine and off I'd go for another 2 months....

BUT - in the smart - after 2 weeks I had that film develop on the windshield and side windows... didn't really think that much of it... I cleaned them all and they sparkled...

Now its been another 2 weeks and the film is BACK!!!

I'm a non-smoker... shower everyday.... what is causing this film???

Is anyone else seeing this?

The Jersey Shore????

doogster · 07-01-2008, 05:12 AM

anything is possible :-)

stevenvillatoro · 07-01-2008, 07:06 AM

I attacked my 'film' with window cleaner, then Goof Off, then newspaper, more Goof Off, then superfine steel wool, then more glass cleaner, newspaper, then car wax, more glass cleaner... you get the idea. So far, NO recurrence after several months. I think it's like jock itch... if you don't get it all, it just starts spreading again. The nice thing about the smart is the ease of access to the interior glass AND a tiny front windshield. There's NO EXCUSE for dirty windows!

parnami · 07-01-2008, 07:37 AM

I've had this problem in the past with cars with vinyl seats, especally the "soft" type with the feel of leather. It never stopped! Do smart seats use the look alike vinyl in their upholstery? How about the leather seats: does anyone know if they are entirely made of leather (with the cloth back insert) or do they also contain this crappy vinyl stuff for areas other than actual seating surfaces?

**jwight** · 07-01-2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

I attacked my 'film' with window cleaner, then Goof Off, then newspaper, more Goof Off, then superfine steel wool, then more glass cleaner, newspaper, then car wax, more glass cleaner... you get the idea. So far, NO recurrence after several months. I think it's like jock itch... if you don't get it all, it just starts spreading again. The nice thing about the smart is the ease of access to the interior glass AND a tiny front windshield. There's NO EXCUSE for dirty windows!

So, would Cruex work?

JIM VINYARD · 07-01-2008, 09:00 AM

The film you are seeing on your windows is from the A/C and heating ducts that are made of plastic and there is a plasma sizer in the formed ducts that come off during the fan blowing while the A/C or heater is on. Everyone of my automobiles has this problem . Just clean your windows every time you wash you smart and there is no problem.

Westfield 11 · 07-01-2008, 09:23 AM

I have had good results using Bon Ami cleanser, but any product safe for Fiberglas tubs will work. It seems to micropolish the glass removing the residue.

How do I get the film out of my lungs though?