re-occuring nasty film on inside windshield

I have a '95 Camry LE V6 that has a nasty film that developes on the inside of the windshield. I have wiped it off numerous times but it just re-forms after a few days of running the car. What is causing this and how do I fix? Thanks, Clint

Do you put any dressing on your dashboard or seats (ArmorAll or such)? This is probably the result of this type of treatment. Smoking cigarettes (or marijuana :)) will also do this.

To fix it, don't do whatever you do to cause it. If you just bought the car, then the previous owner may have treated the interior with something and, in that case, there is nothing you can do but give it time to wear off. Leaving your windows open as much as possible will help.

I have not used any dressing on the interior in a while as a matter of fact the same film is on the top of the dash as well. I do not smoke period and NO ONE smokes especially not pot in my car. I have had this car since it was new and it hasn't done this until lately. Wish I could just "not do whatever I do to cause it" but I think it's a little more complicated than that. I am inclined to think that it is something coming out of the vents, may be some type of condensation funk coming from the AC system. I have rubbed my finger accross the film and touched it to my tongue, it has a very bittery sour taste. It's not Armorall or tar. Thanks anyway for the reply!

It could be you have developed a leak in your heater core and it is antifreeze that is blowing on your windshield when you turn the defroster on. Are you familiar with the smell of antifreeze? Does the stuff have a sweet smell to it?

Mike

I'm pretty sure I know what smell your talking about and I haven't noticed that smell. This film has occurred in the cold as well as the warm months (now), I'm in the south so I haven't used my defroster in weeks and vey little in months (AC, yes - defrost, no) and am still accumulating the film. But I actually have noticed a musty (old lady arm pit) smell when the AC initially comes on, don't know if there is any relation to the film but that is the only odor I've noticed. Thanks Clint

Maybe you drive though or park in an area with alot of pollution.

I live in a borderline rural/subrban area in Alabama, polution is definitely not a problem. Besides this is not occuring in any of my other vehicles.

Check your carpet near the dash for wetness.

"musty (old lady arm pit) smell" - AWESOME!

I'm inclined to think you're on the right track with the a/c - condensor, maybe? I think you'd definitely know if it was the heater core. Besides, it's not a Ford. :) (Sorry...bad joke.) Is it possible to have the system checked?

Take care,
Jerry

Clint, Thanks for asking this question. I've been having the same problem for a while in my car too. I just chalked it up to old, used car problems. Guess it's time to have the A/C checked. (one more thing to fix on this figgin' money pit.)

I'm sure I will eventually get it checked, I'm going to wait and see what replies and opinions I get here just to see if there's a fix I can handle.

I have a similar build up. I do smoke in my car and always thought it was just that. I clean the car all the time with interior wipes and glass wipes, this film appears immediately after turning on the fan. 93 Camry LE V6

I talked to a buddy of mine today who does body work who, like mike gerber, seemed to think it might be a crack in the heater core. I'm sure someone who's either had this problem and had it fixed or is familiar with this problem and has experieince fixing it, will come along soon.

That's why I suggested checking the carpet under the dash for wetness. Usually a sign of a leaking heater core.

sorry for not replying, there is no water or moisture on the carpet under the dash.

I have no moisture on the carpet under the dash at all, and have never had any.

If it's a leaking heater core, replace it before it makes a mess on your carpet. Antifreeze does not dry easily.

If it is a leaky heater core, should there be fluid/anti freeze dripping somewhere other than the carpet? should there be small puddles or wet spots on the ground after I've been parked for a while or should I be able to see fluid actually dripping underneath the car after I park?

Depends on how your heater core is positioned and how the ducts are routed. The antifreeze has to go somewhere. It doesn't evaporate.

Just a thought, maybe call the local A/C automotive repair guys, see if this is a problem that might be happening with the evaporator core, when it condensates, water has to go somewhere....................

Oh yah, one more thing, it might be the "out-gassing" or vapors of the plastics from the cars interior...I dont have a clue how that would be solved, you might try using a cheap dashmat for a few days, see if the fog doesnt form.....

One thing that I have failed to mention is that the same film does accumulate on the inside of all of the other windows as well. The film accumulates at a quicker rate on the windshield but it eventually builds up on the others. Thatt's why I'm inclined to think it is something coming from the vents but the cheap mat is worth a try. Thanks for the reply.

Now that I think of it, It only forms on my camry and my mom's sienna. The fords and chevys in our family don't get it. Is there something toyo does different in the vent/climate control system?

do you smoke?

no, none of my family members smoke.

non-smoker here as well

Is the air blend set to fresh or recirculate?Fresh would be the best setting to avoid a mist.But if it is the heater core this won't help.

It is set on recirculate as a matter of fact. I just cleaned the film off today so I will try running it on fresh and see what happens. Thanks for the advice.

after cleaning the film off and moving the air blend to fresh (from re-circulate) for a few days, the film has not returned (may still be to early to tell though). Anyway Joe W, you mentioned that if the problem was the heater core, then moving the blend to "fresh" would not help the problem. Well since it looks like the film is only forming on re-circulated air what could this mean? Thanks

Not exactly sure,but probably something in the duct work or car itself.

I would say it may be a very slow leak. Take it to someone that can perform a pressure check of the heater core. A very slow leak can emit a fine enough mist that will eventually coat your windshield and dash and other places where air flows. Sometimes the small leak can be small enough where you can barely smell it if at all. This can be hazardous to your health also if you drive inside a car like this all sealed up for a long length of time.

Also to come to mind, it may be the refrigerant coming from the A/C core. I would have that core pressure checked also.

I too have a 93 Toyota Camry that the windshield gets a film on it and less film on the windows back to the rear window. Cleaning it daily bugged me so much that I felt I could not sell this car to a private party as it’s very obvious something is wrong. My car now has 160K miles on it… but It runs excellent!!! I have never had to replace any major parts on this car since buying it new in 93. I need to know WHAT IS UP WITH THIS FILM and is there a gas being released in the car that may be bad for my health??
The daily window cleanings drove me me nut’s enoughtonight to put in a keyword search of “windshield film in camry” on google and luck have it… I found this website.
My car and the film:
I use windex to clean the nasty window film and it appears to streak a bit (like it contained an oil) but it’s dry to the touch!!! I can wipe it with a dry towel and with a little effort, it will come off with out streak, but it takes an effort to rub it off. I thought it was the heating system, but never had a leak, fluid levels never dropped. It occurs in the winter as well as summer (live in Massachusetts). I do not smoke nor use any the of dashboard cleaning solutions mentioned in this thread. I never had water damage inside the car. I have had 3 windshields replaced in the past 2 years (thanks Rt.95 and all your pebbles) and it occurs with each new windshield too. I did make one observation. My brown interior dashboard is starting to show sign of wear and tear. Specifically, it almost looks like I have placed objects on and off the top of the dashboard (which I do not) and a section of wear is starting. Could the film be from a chemical reaction of the dashboard breaking down and the foam or whatever is under is releasing a nasty chemical?? My dashboard appears to be in very good, clean condition with the exception of the sun spot wear outs that’s aprox 3” diameter at this time in starting on two areas of the dashboard. One between the steering wheel and dashboard, the other between the top of console (where the radio is located) and the windshield.
Ok.. I have vented enough!! Any Toyota experts out there???

I too have what you have on my dash board. Ever since joe w suggested putting my blend on fresh air instead or re-circulated air, my film has not returned (as far as I can see) but I really don't drive this car all that much so it still may be too early to tell. Everything you've described is exactly like my film. I will eventually have this checked by a tech but as little as we drive it and the fact that the fresh air setting is doing better, it could be a while.

I have 3 Toyotas, and they all get the "nasty film syndrome". The only fix Ive found so far is to use a powerful cleaner on the inside and outside of the glass. Purple Power from Carquest seems to get it off best. Regular glass cleaner just leaves residue. Im assuming it has something to do with the type of plastic used on the safety glass, or inside the ducting? Also sticky gas pedal from dirty throttle body is common. Finally, semi metallic replacement brake pads are cheaper, but will warp the rotors....spend extra money and buy the good ones from Toyota.

I have the same film problem on my 93 XLE. I tried virtually every kind of cleaner, including acetone and carb cleaner to get the stuff off, and it always comes back. I have finally resorted to using those blue disposable shop towels to wipe it off every few days at red lights. Seems to be worse with heat and sun, and my dash has sort of a brown corroded look, so I attribute it to some kind of plastic vapors. Very frustrating, but I have discovered that wiping it off with a plain dry towel works better than any kind of glass cleaner, which just leaves its own residue on top of the film endemic to the car.

I have continued to run the car with the air on fresh as opposed to recycle and the film has not accumulated (or atleast not enough to really notice) since my last post. I have it in the shop right now having some other work done on it and I had the mechanic try to diagnose the film problem and as usual, the car won't act up (produce the film in this case) while at the shop. He said he ran the A/C and heat on fresh ,recycle, defrost, every different scenario for "hours" and could not get the film to accumulate. He basically told me just to swing by one day if and when the film came back. May be a long shot but I'm hoping that running the air on fresh for a month or so "mysteriously" fixed the car. We'll see.

Do you put any dressing on your dashboard or seats (ArmorAll or such)? This is probably the result of this type of treatment. Smoking cigarettes (or marijuana :)) will also do this.

To fix it, don't do whatever you do to cause it. If you just bought the car, then the previous owner may have treated the interior with something and, in that case, there is nothing you can do but give it time to wear off. Leaving your windows open as much as possible will help.


Hey Clint!

Please don't put your tongue on the inside of the windshield, especially while driving as it could be hazardous.

Heh! Heh! Just kidding. I know you didn't do that right?

I share your frustration. I've had two cars for some time now. Up until recently if i cleaned the windshields (in and out) the didn't film up later.

All of a sudden a few hours after cleaning all widows (in and out) I get not only a film but a mist with what appears to be oil substance type (rainbow colored) streaking.

I threw out all interior coating products changed all rags to virgin material (never used as cleaning rags) and used only window cleaners specified as "safe for tinted windows"

Still I got lousy results. I then actually had the windshield changed and only cleaned it with warm water in and out. About 3 days after that process the new windshield started to mist up too.

Finally I went ahead and cleaned the interior surfaces wit a damp rag and proceeded to leave the windows slightly opened.

Suddenly the problem went away.

I can only deduce that there is a chemical reaction taking place that is exacerbated by the hotter interior temperature when the windows are closed.

I wish all cars came with the feature that I heard one of the Japanese makers installed which included a thermostatically controlled interior fan that is powered by a little solar pad that is integrated into the roof area and impervious to the affects of a car wash treatment etc.

It is a good way to keep the interior at a lower temp thus putting requirement on the AC when it is first cranked up.

Probably would be a benefit to pets left in cars too.

FUDD

PS. The "rainbow" type streaking I am now told, probably came from using gas station water and squeegy. It was pointed out that people ofter clean fuel spills on the car body with the squeegy to prevent paint from erroding. Sooo, the next time the squeegy is used, it smears some fuel all over the glass.

I have a 94 camry and have had the same problem for years. I've had this car since it was 3 years old, and it has always developed a film on the inside of all the windows. It has been through numerous full-system check-ups, so I can't imagine that it's from a problem with the heater or AC core, but you never know...

It is definitely worse in the summer, so I've always assumed it had to do with fumes given off from something when the interior gets really hot. I abandoned all interior cleaning products long ago, and this hasn't helped, so I assumed maybe it's the plastic in the dash? Like others who have posted here, the dash is starting to show signs of deterioration (presumably from the sun because of where it's located) but the greasy film has been a problem since long before the deterioration became obvious. I hadn't considered the AC as the possible culprit. I live in Portland,OR and I RARELY use my AC, so my first thought is that it's not related, but I can't be entirely sure. I will monitor the film development for a while and see if it comes back without using the AC at all.

I actually searched this post out of frustration from being unable to get the film OFF. No regular window cleaners or household cleaners (409, etc.) seem to remove it but just smear it around. Wiping with a dry cloth turns up endless black residue, but I still can't seem to get it all off. Someone suggested Purple Power - what's in that? (Just wondering if I can pick up something similar nearby.) Also, I'll try the "damp rag" method.

Thanks for all the info!

i have the exact same problem... i do not smoke and definitely do NOT clean my car (muchless with anything fancy like armorall)...heh... anywho, it is either the AC compressor or the heater core like others have said. but if it doesnt have the smell (which i think you would know cuz its distinctive!) than it is most likely the compressor leaking up through the defrost vents. :smile:

Try this to get the film off..... Use Turtle Wax Chrome Cleaner... Apply with a damp cloth & buff off... This stuff will take overspray off glass.... Bob

I am old (50). When I was in high school my part time job was detailing cars at the local Datsun dealer (Nissan to the younger crowd). This included keeping all the used cars clean. There were always some cars on the lot that got that film on the windows. Some developed really quick. I'll never forget the dang Renault, it would film up by the next day. Anyway, since that time I have had a LOT of cars (I buy and sell a lot) and many have had this film problem. I always assumed it was either Vinyl treatment (aka Amoral etc) or just the plastic inside the car, mainly the dash out gasing. One experiment we could try would be to park the car and not use it for some time frame, or if that's not possible, try not using the heating or AC for a while. Then if the slime came back we could rule out AC or Heater. Ok, well, not completely since there would still be water in the heater core and Freon in the evap, but it wouldn't be under pressure. Besides, I would bet that the film will still develop by parking the car with the windows rolled up. One thing that I have done with some success is to clean the windows with Windex very throughly three times and then clean the dash with Acetone. Be careful there however, Acetone is powerful stuff that can ruin many plastics (I buy it by the gallon and use it for everything). Try it on an inconspicuous place first. The Acetone will get most of any vinyl treatment off and will also take some of those vapor causing agents out of the dash. The fact that our poster's windows don't fog up with the fresh air vents on is a big clue. I would love to solve this problem while I'm still young enough to drive.

paulcalif, you revied a zombie thread!