Windscreen smearing

[clevedon]

Tried every windscreen cleaner on the market ( spirit.vinegar,glass cleaner etc)to clean windscreen on my 2015 s80 of smears. Eventually advised by professional valeter to fit new wiper blades. Fitted pair of Bosch blades and instantly cleared screen. Brilliant.
2 weeks later the smearing was back using ready mixed screen wash ( supermarket and Halfords). Cleaned screen and wipers with Autoglym Fast Glass and screen clean again. Refilled washers with RAC screen wash and lo & behold screen smears again. I cannot understand why several ready mixed screen wash brands cause this or am I just jinxed.

[Longhouse21]

I've had trouble with the Halfords scented concentrates.
I've trawled the net in the past looking for a solution (no pun intended) and the Wurth, Prestone & Sonex brands seem to get good reviews. I've used the first 2 and they seem OK, not tried the Sonax. I also find the ECP Triple QX to be OK for the price (especially when on offer).
The RainX rain repellent seems to get some bad reviews regarding smearing.

[abdiel]

Search ebay for Clearalex, it is very good!

[pierremcalpine]

you could also try cleaning your windscreen with clay bar to get ALL the grime off for a fresh start. Does wonders!

[staffy460]

fairy platinum

[Georgeandkira]

Of the products mentioned, use of the name "Rain-X" must be specified.

The original Rain-X windshield application comes in 4 oz. and 8 oz. bottles.
It's thin, clear and has a carrier which evaporates quickly. You rub it with force onto clean glass with small circular motions. You do the entire windshield clockwise then do it counterclockwise. The remaining haze is buffed off with a slightly dampened towel. This buffing also requires elbow grease.

In plain English, it's a hard job which takes 45 minutes to an hour. Most people won't apply it correctly. Most won't cite the difficulty or allude to their own weakness or lack of stamina.

Rain-X saw fit to place its name on gallon jugs of orange colored washer fluid. This is the stuff which globs up so miserably for many. I've never bought any of it because I was warned.

Get the original and have someone in your corner rub your tired arms like a boxer between rounds if necessary.

I gave original Rain-X treatments as Christmas gifts to family members and everyone was impressed by its effectiveness. Rain water doesn't ever touch the glass and falls off as fast as gravity can pull it.

I also own a bottle of their treatment for the windshield's interior surface (Rain-X Anti-Fog) but must confess to never having applied it.

[AndyV7o]

Get rid of the bosch blades!
I had this exact problem repeatedly until I stopped using Bosch blades, problem never returned. I used everything. It was bosch blades. Other people have had same too.
I use Trico, But Denso are also highly reputed.
Of course re-clean thoroughly to remove whatever it is that bosch smear across the screen before fitting the new wipers 👍

[ThomasG]

Originally Posted by AndyV7o

Get rid of the bosch blades!
I had this exact problem repeatedly until I stopped using Bosch blades, problem never returned. I used everything. It was bosch blades. Other people have had same too.
I use Trico, But Denso are also highly reputed.
Of course re-clean thoroughly to remove whatever it is that bosch smear across the screen before fitting the new wipers 👍

+1, that.

[Longhouse21]

Have to admit... best blades I've fitted to a car were Denso Hybrid (flat) blades to my old HRV. Ultra quiet, very efficient, superb quality.