Strange "oily" like spots when running windshield wipers

So it is raining over here in the DFW area...when day turned to night I noticed I am getting some type of "oily" like spots on my windshield. I hit the defrost this didn't help. I pulled over to a 7/11 and tried wiping window. with hard wipes I got some of this "oily" like spots off the windshield. So I proceeded to drive and used wipers again. "oily" like spots came back.

Got home, hit the windows with some Windex and the spots are gone. Tested the wipers and spots are back.

As far as removing the rain the wipers did the job. I believe these wipers are from Toyota from 2013.

Is this end life of these wipers even though they look to be in good shape?

 

Probably oils off the roads. Clean your wipers with rubbing alcohol or replace...if they are original from 2013 you're probably due.

I replace mine once a year but the cold winter and hot summer do them in here. We it's the first rain we've have I awhile and the roads are oily I use the windshield washers to clear the oil spots.

 

Give the wiper blades a good cleaning using rubbing alcohol and a paper towl. See what comes off of them.

I typically replace mine every 2 years

 

may the spots be on the inside portion of the windshield?

using armor all or another oily protectant on the dashboard may ooze oils in the air if there is enough heat
its seems more noticeable at night than daytime

its been hot as hell around the US and i see you're in Texas

 

spots on outside. I wiped wipers with windex and the paper towel was all black afterwards.

I will purchase some new ones and see if it was the blades leaving the oily spots.

At one point reflection was so bad could hardly see and the rain made it worse.

 

Cleaning the wipers is recommended from the manufacturers. Think about it. You clean everything else... Wipers pick up a bunch of road grim and oils constantly, not to mention the angle that they sit causes them to collect all kinds of filth. Wouldn't it be logical that cleaning them is the norm? I wipe mine down with alcohol wipes every oil change. Sometimes more depending on environmental conditions. Granted, not all wipers all equal. A good set should last at least 3-4 years.

 

Picked up so new wipers and no help. Used a clay bar to wipe the windshield no help. I think I can attribute whatever these spots are to a cheap car wash (spray it yourself kind). I bet I got some engine or tire cleaner residue on the windshield. Guess I cannot drive the Taco until the rain stops.

 

Wipe the windshield with 90% isopropyl alcohol. Try to keep it on the glass.

 

okay. picked up some IPOH will try it after the rain stops.

 

Scrub the glass with Barkeepers Friend. Rinse well. Scrub again. Rinse again.

That will likely take care of it.

If it does, it means your clay work was insufficient, as it should have handled it. Buy a Nanoskin Autoscrub and you'll never use clay again.

 

Also, if you are using rain-x washer fluid, that could be the culprit. And wipe the wiper blades with the IPOH

 

I get oily streaks for a while after running through an auto carwash where the last step is a "spot free rinse". Usually wears off after a bit.

X10 on wiping the blades with alcohol. I learned this from a retired cop. I do change my blades once a year but in between I wipe them every so often with an alcohol pad/wipe. I use those little folded up wipes meant to clean the lenses of your glasses. Keep a few in the glove box. Do it once a month. You're good to go.

 

Try using a Mr Clean magic eraser, you know the white block. This will take off the oils. Wipe off and then clean with window cleaner. You can do both inside and out, results are fantastic - like there is no windshield it gets so clean! Be sure to wipe the window after scrubbing with the magic eraser, and then clean with window cleaner. Cheers

 

All right so quick summary of items used (all while still raining using an umbrella to stay dry):

• Replaced wipers
  
• Palmolive soap
  
• Clay Bar
• Windex
• Pledge Multi surface
• spit

None of those worked.

Last night used some 91% IPOH (@Scrubber3) and paper towel. It appeared to help where I scrubbed hard. I gave up because of the downpour.

Well this morning the rain let up briefly. Got out the 91% IPOH and this time went with a Scotch-Brite Blue scrub sponge. I used the more ruff side to clean and the less ruff side to wipe off. For $1.50 in IPOH whatever the heck that cheap car was put on my windshield is gone

It was hard to get a pic from the inside how dangerous the glare was. I got some from the outside this morning:




Thanks TW for all the suggestions. If I had some nail polish that would of been next. Then the Barkeepers.

 

I'm glad you got it squared away. Isopropyl alcohol works on a bunch of stuff. It breaks down sugar well to, especially cola stains.

Vinegar works well to get blood out of carpet BTW...

Don't ask... my name is scrubber for a reason and we can just leave it at that. Lol

 

Just run about a cup of white vinegar in a full tank of fluid,does a good job keeping the road film off
If your not using 91% alcohol your not even close to getting the oxidization off the blades
NEVER USE RAINX to start with,its junk

FWIW,Peroxide is the go to for blood,doesnt matter what its on,its gone.

 

Peroxide does work, but it will also discolor a carpet.

 

Fwiw a rag soaked with acetone would've cleaned it up quick. Just don't let it rest on any painted surface.

 

Looks like an oily film from road spray. Been doing a lot of traveling for work for 25 years and I see it frequently. Just use some paper towels and alcohol to wipe your windshield and wipers. Might take a couple of passes to get it cleaned off. I never use RainX for this very reason.

 

I've been having a problem with morning glare down here in Texas, with morning temps around 60 F or so. It is so blinding that I have to pull to the side of the road and run the defrost until the fine dew is gone. I tried experimenting with RainX on half the windshield. The side with RainX was worse. I have new wiper blades, and they will not remove the fine dew. I'm going to try wax on the windows next.