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Preventing windows from misting up. - Will Marshall

Seals are fine, nothing damp anywhere inside, used regularly, can clear quickly with aircon but I'm fed up with this and previous cars of any age misting up.

RainX doesn't stop it and stinks when applying, its a fag rubbing it in properly.

Any non-chemiocal remedies?

Preventing windows from misting up. - bathtub tom

Heating on re-circ instead of fresh air?

Preventing windows from misting up. - dadbif
Garage? If not available, cover your screen with a blanket, best invention used to be the heated windscreen fitted on my 1995 mondeo, plus avoid leaning forward to peer through the screen, your exhaled breath only makes things worse!
Preventing windows from misting up. - daveyjp

Aircon is still the quickest way, you can't mess with the physics of the situation - warm damp air meets cold glass = condenstation. Until either the water is removed or the glass warmed up it will occur.

Preventing windows from misting up. - dieseldogg

I seem to find this a bigger problem of this last few years,

I appreciate the basic Physics at work and wonder is it a direct result of the poorer insulation offered by the newer, presumably? thinner windscreens,

So,is this due to

(i) the introduction of laminated glass,

or to

()ii) ever thinner glass whether laminated or toughned in order to reduce weight?

(iii) the ever-growing number of diesels producing more particulate matter, (pm10?) which then provide a nucleus for the droplets to form around.

I find when I wipe the inside of the screen with a clean white cloth that there is what could only be described as "soot" left on the cloth.

I dont clean my screen very often.

Preventing windows from misting up. - schneip

Not a non-chemical remedy, but back in the late '90s my driving instructer used to swear by using Fairy washing up liquid (perhaps a thin film?). I learned between mid November and the following March and whilst the ventilation was kept on we never seemed to have a problem.

Preventing windows from misting up. - Armitage Shanks {p}

Bocked/wet pollen fiter - if fitted?

Preventing windows from misting up. - retgwte
Jus
Preventing windows from misting up. - injection doc

make sure the aircon is always off. Once you use it , it causes condensation in the car. Rover 620's were the worst ever.

yes the air con will demsit quickly and technically will dry the air but it also leaves mositure around the heater unit in the car.

Best fix is to drive the car on a long journey for a day with the haeter on full to really dry the car out ! or stick a dehumidifier in the car for a few days to really dry it out inside. This works a treat. Check the pollen filetr and any air vent flaps that may be fitted in the boot, make sure they are clear to allow air flow. Seen many of these clogged up by paint after car repairs.

Preventing windows from misting up. - piston power

make sure the aircon is always off. Once you use it , it causes condensation in the car. Rover 620's were the worst ever.

yes the air con will demsit quickly and technically will dry the air but it also leaves mositure around the heater unit in the car.

Best fix is to drive the car on a long journey for a day with the haeter on full to really dry the car out ! or stick a dehumidifier in the car for a few days to really dry it out inside. This works a treat. Check the pollen filetr and any air vent flaps that may be fitted in the boot, make sure they are clear to allow air flow. Seen many of these clogged up by paint after car repairs.

Spot on turned off air con last week and drive with window slightly open if it starts to mist up & on the plus side better fuel consumption, the heater vents do hold the moisture as soon as you start up they pour onto the screen.

Pollen filter new.

Preventing windows from misting up. - NARU

I often carry a wet dog in my car, so I know where the damp comes from!

After checking the pollen filter, scuttle and that the air is not on recirculate, I'd recommend cleaning the windscreen and using a 500g pack of silica gel in the car.

I pop the silica gel on the radiator for the weekend to dry it out again, leave it in the car during the week. makes a huge difference. Needs to be in a breatheable bag of course!

Preventing windows from misting up. - Collos25

I run a Mercerdes and the air con default is on and I have never had a problem with condensation or steaming up one of the biggest causes is as previously stated a blocked or wet cabin filter famous problem on the Ford Focus.

Preventing windows from misting up. - Bobbin Threadbare

You can get a special kind of cushion for your parcel shelf that acts like the silica gel. I will see if I can remember where I read about them......

Preventing windows from misting up. - Trilogy

A potato http://lifehacker.com/5485831/keep-car-windows-from-fogging-with-a-potato

Preventing windows from misting up. - bathtub tom

A potato http://lifehacker.com/5485831/keep-car-windows-from-fogging-with-a-potato

And after using it on your windscreen you can stuff it up your exhaust as an anti-theft device. ;>)

Preventing windows from misting up. - unthrottled

I try not to breathe deeply for the first couple of miles!

Since I don't have air con to dry out the air, I try to make sure the air in the car is as dry as possible at the END of each journey. I drive with the heater on full on to keep warm but on the last half mile, I flood the car with cold air (lower vapour pressure). That way, the air in the car is (hopefully) below the saturation when I set off next morning.

I can't bear sitting and idling the engine waiting for the heater to warm up. And, as any fule kno, it's fatal to touch the windscreen to try to wipe the condensation away!

Edited by unthrottled on 08/12/2011 at 00:09

Preventing windows from misting up. - jamie745

I had a Mondeo once which had misting and condensation issues, used to keep a cloth on the dashboard!

That was an interesting trip down the M11........

Edited by jamie745 on 08/12/2011 at 00:17

Preventing windows from misting up. - unthrottled

But the cloth smears!!

Preventing windows from misting up. - jamie745

You say that but this was a special valeting sponge which i 'creatively acquired' from the valeter where i worked at the time. It was brilliant!

Preventing windows from misting up. - Roly93

I have noticed this to be very bad on both our cars this year. We have had some pretty unusual weather conditions, ie very warm for the time of year and hence very humid.

I think you just have to live with it as part of the current environment until it gets colder and the air holds less moisture.

All this assumes of course that you dont have any leaks or damp mats in the car.

Preventing windows from misting up. - Trilogy

Just discovered the joys of clay bars. Now I have crystal clear, non-smear windows. So easy to use, just with water as a lube, if you buy a Bilt-Hamber one. Although its now a bit too cold to use one!

Preventing windows from misting up. - Will Marshall

Thanks for the various tips, pollen filter is fine and no leaks or damp sources.

As mentioned above I'm also inclined toward the view of it being something to do with the difference in modern "glass". ~In the past old cars when driving along without the blower or heat on did not begin to show a mist on the windscreen at the drop in outside temperature toward dusk in Autumn.

That clay looks good - I saw a youtube video of it in action on bodywork.

Edited by Will Marshall on 13/12/2011 at 19:51

Preventing windows from misting up. - sandy56

For about the last 20 years I have had cars with A/C and used it all the time I never switch it off. I have never had a problem with condensation- if its there when I switch on then its gone in about 3 - 5 minutes.

There is obviously moisture - water in the car somewhere. You just havnt found it yet.

Preventing windows from misting up. - CaptainKephart

I first noticed misting up which was hard to clear when I used to get lots of hire cars - turned out to be the 'polish' they put on the inside of the glass to make in nice and shiny (and smell lovely) that formed a film that seemed to encourage condensation.

Then had same issue on two of my previous second hand cars - showroom valeting also used polish on the glas. Has been reaaly hard to get off - tried ammonia cleaner, jif-type stuff, rubbing with newspaper, etc etc and a few solvent-based approaches.

My current car have had almost from new - no problem, glass always cleaned with water and a leather. Might this be a clue?

Preventing windows from misting up. - dumbo

I have a 51 plate Astra estate which was so bad that I nearly sold the car. I'd had the pollen filter changed, the car checked for leaks, the carpets lifted, and finally the recirculation button tested by a qualified auto electrican. No joy anywhere.

Then, one day I had a spell following an old tractor towing an even older load of manure. Naturally, I pressed the recirculation button. The car steamed up as expected. When the button was eventually pressed again, the light went off as it should. A few miles later I realised the misting hadn't improved.

I stopped the car and played with all the button and switches I had and, eventually, got the recirculation switch working though I don't know how. I've never touched it since and the car has remained well behaved.

I think the moral here is 'don't believe the on/off light'

Preventing windows from misting up. - Bobbin Threadbare

I am intrigued by this clay stuff! My car isn't too bad but I do miss the heated windscreen from my old Focus. That was a genius idea.

Preventing windows from misting up. - sirionman

It is interesting that you say previous cars have also given the same problem. It makes me wonder what the common link is. I have owned many cars and sure they steam up on a cold day, and especially if it is a wet day, but using the cabin conditioning controls correctly clears it away in a flash.

To prevent misting up use the air conditioner with heat and blower selected to windscreen and air drawn from the outside (not re-circ). Keep clutter inside the car to nil, especially clothing material items.

I have lived abroad a lot and we English are an international joke when it comes to car air-conditioning. We treat it like something that must never be used for some bizarre reason and we seem to not understand what it actually does. The world won't end if you use the air-con.

My advice is don't be shy about using the air con because not only does it produce cool air, but perhaps even more importantly, it produces dry air, which is ideal for winter use.

Preventing windows from misting up. - dieseldogg

Except Sironman, we have been driving with A/C since June 1998, on 90/100% of the time, ( and only switched off to establish if any fuel savings)as it makes no appreciable difference to the fuel consumption in a diesel in my experience.

But the Galaxy steamed up, particularly when loaded with people, and the Octavia appears to be prone as well, with generally only two up.

With the full use of the climate Control Air Con.

We dont like too much heat in a car, generally running about 18 or 20 degrees which could be one factor, as a blast of heat to the windscreen will clear it, but this "cuts the eyes" out of me, anyway since the A/C dries the air this heat should not be necessary

I am aware that here in N Ireland our climate is particularly wet/humid/moist, which could/will be a factor.

Preventing windows from misting up. - jamie745

Who on earth would buy a car without a heated screen?

Preventing windows from misting up. - madf

I leave air con on 365 days a year. Odd misting on wet days solved by redirecting air to screen.

Las t year in -18C ice on inside of screen plus slow warm up diesel so scraper inside plus demisting fluid.

Preventing windows from misting up. - sirionman

dieseldogg,

Once again you fall into the category of car owners who have persistent fogging up problems with any car you own. I merely make the observation once again; what is the common link?

Preventing windows from misting up. - dieseldogg

Erm Sironman,

Since I bin driving from 1978 and only bought the Galaxy in 1998, that ud be 20 years driving , or about 400,000 miles, without being aware of misting up problems, which is why I postulated that it might be due to some change in the windscreen technology.

So

Ya Boo Sucks

PS

I could argue that VW was the common thread, but I didnt see how.

I have grown fatter, could this be a factor?

But No.....................Hey! I got it.......................its ...........................CLIMATE CHANGE.......................

Since that is responsible for most everything else

Preventing windows from misting up. - sirionman

dieseldogg,

I stand by my claim it is an operator problem by virtue of the observation you claim it occurs to any car you own.

I have seen countless posts on other forums on the same topic and every one of them claims it happens regardless of what make or model car they own. What is the common link?

Modern technology for dealing with glass fogging in cars is the best it has ever been in the history of automobiles. However if an operator does not use the cabin conditioning system wisely and correctly glass fogging will still occur.

Regards.

Preventing windows from misting up. - dieseldogg

Sironman,

Gee, See I actually agree with you, in principle leastwise.

BUT

(i) I understand the Physics of fogging/condensation incl the signifence of dirt forming a nucleus.

(ii) I understand how A/C works, and that cold air cannot carry as much moisture, and what the "recirc" symbol means and what happens when it is activated.

(iii) I also understand that if modern glass is thinner, in order to be lighter, that it will be a poorer thermal insulator, hence more prone to condensation.

(iv) I also understand that this thinner, but laminated glass, may however be as thermally insulating due to the inclusion of the plastic laminating film.

(v) I also drove other cars owned by myself for TWENTY years, i.e. from 1978 to 1998(& as stated above) and was not aware of a fogging condensation problem.

I always ask WHY?

Just like I asked WHY the auto trans had failed in the Steyr Puch,......... No reason I was told, they just fail>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>DOH! ....................the flex pipe leading to the radiator had been twisted & kinked therefore no cooling of the transmission fluid.

There is ALWAYS a reason.

The reason can however sometimes be counterintuitive

And yes the reason could be down to the operator.

Edited by dieseldogg on 16/12/2011 at 10:50

Preventing windows from misting up. - madf

The answer is simple.

Sweaty, coughing , spitting geriatrics mist up anything.

Incontinence just makes it worse..:-)

Preventing windows from misting up. - Bobbin Threadbare

The answer is simple.

Sweaty, coughing , spitting geriatrics mist up anything.

Incontinence just makes it worse..:-)

:-D laughed so hard

Preventing windows from misting up. - sirionman

Dear dieseldogg,

Firstly whenever anyone says "but", what they actually mean is disregard anything they said before it. So you actually don't agree with me.

Secondly, your thoughts on apsects of glass fogging is "interesting". You plainly have a theories that suit you, so I will say no more.

Have a nice day.

Preventing windows from misting up. - MikeTorque

As already mentioned, washing up liquid & water.

Clean all the inside glass areas with this mixture and all dirt & grime particles wipe off easily. This reduces the tendancy for moisture to form on the glass surfaces.

To help clear the front screen of any moisture an in-car Ceramic heater soon shifts mist and also helps to melt outside frost/ice.

Pity Ford don't license their Quickclear windscreen to other motor manufacturers, mist & ice soon clears with that system.

Preventing windows from misting up. - Avant

Is there still a problem with the Ford quickclear windscreen interfering with sat-navs?

Preventing windows from misting up. - AndyT

To help clear the front screen of any moisture an in-car Ceramic heater soon shifts mist and also helps to melt outside frost/ice.

Pity Ford don't license their Quickclear windscreen to other motor manufacturers, mist & ice soon clears with that system.

I have thought before about trying one of these ceramic heaters, but the experience of others seemed always to be negative. What make/model of heater are you using?

Ford's patent for the heated screen ran out a few years ago, and other manufacturers have been and are using similar systems.

Preventing windows from misting up. - MikeTorque

A 150w rapid defrost car fan 12v ceramic demister heater.

The site below shows a selection of similar types of heaters. If one of these heaters is used then you need to check what wattage is allowed for your vehicle via the 12v connection socket. Some vehicle sockets will only allow up to 10amps (i.e. 120 watts max.).

http://www.supaprice.co.uk/p/result.jsp?ga=uk10&q=ceramic+12v+car+heaters

Preventing windows from misting up. - dieseldogg

Gee Madf,

An there I thought the real reason was that me & the missus were so hot blooded & passionate.

Cheers Sironman

PS

I really do agree with your line of reasoning, honestly, despite the "but"

Preventing windows from misting up. - madf

DD

lol.

I don't steam up anything nowadays as my boiler has cooled down...

Preventing windows from misting up. - dieseldogg

I near choked on my porridge the morning our 18 year old daughter said, Dad! would be quieter, "you woke me up this morning with all that noise you were making".

Mum near choked on her toast, ...............................but fortunately we both sung dumb as tiddles went on to say....................................with all those banging doors, clanking coffee machine & ratteling cutlery.

I think I was actually slightly dissapointed.

Mum did kick me under the table as I chortled.

Tiddles were quite oblivious, the young so unobservant. arnt they

Preventing windows from misting up. - Sofa Spud

A chamois leather. That will wipe away mist from the windows, whether on the inside or outside. It's so simple! :)

Preventing windows from misting up. - piston power

Fit a Webasto heater to your car to come on 1hr before you drive in the morning this heats up the engines coolant and clears the screen or you can have it to blow so warm air in cabin as you jump in nice.

Not cheap and standard fit on some cars just not serviced and clog up and smoke a bit.

Preventing windows from misting up. - mss1tw

Fit a Webasto heater to your car to come on 1hr before you drive in the morning this heats up the engines coolant and clears the screen or you can have it to blow so warm air in cabin as you jump in nice.

Not cheap and standard fit on some cars just not serviced and clog up and smoke a bit.

I fitted an outside socket and keep a fan heater in the car. Total cost: £35.

A Webasto would be very nice, especially a car-powered one I could use anywhere, but ££££

Preventing windows from misting up. - madf

I just have a heated garage..

Preventing windows from misting up. - Sofa Spud

My car has a Webasto auxiliary heater fitted as standard and I wish it didn't have. It's right up there with dual-mass flywheels on the list of retrograde steps in modern car design.

Edited by Sofa Spud on 20/12/2011 at 20:18

Preventing windows from misting up. - Durelli_tyres

I fitted an outside socket and keep a fan heater in the car. Total cost: £35.

A Webasto would be very nice, especially a car-powered one I could use anywhere, but ££££

The fan heater is an idea, but not if you park in the street!

You can get mains powered pre-heaters like Webasto's too. No use when away from home (unless you can find somewhere to plug it in) but generally the cold mornings at home are the worst times.

Durelli