[DunWaiten]

Do MINIs get a film on the inside of the windscreen and other windows?

On a non-MINI I have, the glass gets a film that makes the world look hazy. It can be washed-off with window-cleaner, but returns after a few days. It's not dust, as it doesn't push around, but rather smears. I've had other cars get a similar film, though not as fast. I assume the film grows on all the other surfaces in the car, but is really only noticable on the glass.

The car is a 12 year old Lexus. Until a few months ago, this car didn't hardly get the film at all. Then, I started parking it outside during the day, rather than garaged during daylight as it had been for years. Also, at about the same time, I applied a Lexol leather treatment to the seats, which hadn't been done in years. So, I can't tell if the faster film growth is caused by parking in the sun, leather treatment, or age.

Anyway, do MINIs do it? And if so, is it related to cleaners/treaments, or to sun/heat?

[EBMCS03]

U mean like kinda a dirty film? Kinda like condensation when u get into a cold car and human heat blurs out the windows? Ya I get that after a couple of weeks if I dont wipe the inside of the windows. Or now more frequent when i use a sunshade for the front windscreen and parked out in the sun the whole day. When I take off the screen at the bottom corners there tends to be some "film" there that can be wiped off relatively easily with a tissue paper. I just thought it was my sunshade causing the problem, making a layer of air between the windshield and the sunshade.

[lmiddag]

Any chance you added more oil recently? If you over-filled the oil when you last changed it, this could happen. We accidentally did this on an older car of ours and suffered with film on the inside of the windshield for several months, until the oil burned off.

Just a thought (and one more, maybe unwelcome, variable???)

Cheers!

Lisa

[EBMCS03]

What? what does engine oil have to do with windscreen film? but no i havent changed my oil for a while... nor checked it hehe I should check it.

[lmiddag]

Yeah, I suppose it isn't intuitive. But the smoke from the oil burning off the engine was getting into the driving compartment somehow through the heat/defrost system and coating the glass with a greasy residue/film. There was a pesky smell too, which tipped us off to what had happened.

But if you didn't overfill, then that shouldn't be your problem.

Good luck, though!

Lisa

[Barnabas]

I read somewhere that gases are emitted from the vinyl and plastics in the car's interior. That could be it...

[KennyP]

Barnabas is correct. It is not uncommon for the plastics that are used to make the car's dash along with so many other interior components will release phthalates that build up on the windshield as a film. Unfortunately, they don't seem to become exhausted over time as I have read people with 12-year-old cars still having the problem. It may be accelerated by parking in direct sunlight.

Here's the "Straight Dope" on phthalates: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990528.html

KennyP

[EBMCS03]

Quote: Originally Posted by KennyP

Barnabas is correct. It is not uncommon for the plastics that are used to make the car's dash along with so many other interior components will release phthalates that build up on the windshield as a film. Unfortunately, they don't seem to become exhausted over time as I have read people with 12-year-old cars still having the problem. It may be accelerated by parking in direct sunlight.

Here's the "Straight Dope" on phthalates: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990528.html

KennyP

Ah... then thats probably it. I noticed it more when parked all day under the sun. Before when it used to be garaged all day long I wont have to wipe the interior windows for like months at a time... now its like every week or so.

[Barnabas]

Try using 303 Aerospace UV protectant for vinyl and plastics. I hear it works wonders, may cut down on the film thing too...

[EBMCS03]

Quote: Originally Posted by Barnabas

Try using 303 Aerospace UV protectant for vinyl and plastics. I hear it works wonders, may cut down on the film thing too...

I never heard of it... is that whats it called? 303 Aerospace UV Protectant? Local Kragen store have it? K-Mart? Target?

[Dave&Stacy]

All, the phenomenon you are seeing is commonly called "fogging" in the auto industry. Each manufacturer typically has their own test methods to evaluate fogging.

Anyway, most plastic materials contain a variety of additives and modifiers to improve various properties (i.e. impact performance, lubrication during molding, UV stability, heat stability, etc.). Some of these modifiers tend to "bloom out" under certain conditions such as with increased age and exposure to heat (i.e. parking in the sun). The additives/modifiers then vaporize into the air, only to collect on the windscreen. Many manufacturers have testing protocol to test the fogging performance of materials used in the cabin area. However, occasionally materials get specced in that don't meet the fogging performance. Hence the film you're seeing.

KennyP also posted some good info. on pthalates as well.

-Dave & Stacy

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by EBMCS03

I never heard of it... is that whats it called? 303 Aerospace UV Protectant? Local Kragen store have it? K-Mart? Target?

Just 303 Aerospace Protectant . 303 Website

It seems the best place to find it is boating supply stores. West Marine and Boaters World carry it. 303 also sell it on line and properautocare.com sells it, that's where I learned about the stuff.
It's the best product I've ever used. Absolutely crystal clear on clear plastics. Overspray is easy to get off glass. Just wipe it off with a clean dry rag.

It is not shiny and it does not slow the hazing.

[EBMCS03]

Ooo free sample... Gotta give it a try.

[Barnabas]

obehave: What do you mean it doesn't slow the hazing??

EBMCS: You can order it from the NAM autostore. It's nice as it retains the matte look and doesn't overly shine anything. It basically "freshens" up the vinyl/leather/plastics.

[EBMCS03]

Is it cheaper there?

[Barnabas]

Or you can borrow mine and rub it all over your car. I'll bring it when I stop by. I'll let you pour some out to a container or something.

[EBMCS03]

Hahah nah... its ok.. if its that good you'll need it too... I ordered a free sample wipe from that site Obehave posted..