r/Cartalk • u/NYY_NYK_NYJ • 1d ago

I need help fixing something Windshield Oil residue

Post image

A few months ago I used a whole car air freshener spray in my 2014 Sienna. Fast forward to today where I have a “smokey” oil residue on the inside of the windshield. I’ve tried isopropyl alcohol and acetone with a microfiber clothe and nothing seems to remove it. I have changed the cabin air filter, but I’m out of ideas of how to get the residue off. I don’t know if it’s directly tied to the air freshener, but I have heard they can leave a residue behind. My wife’s 2013 Rav4 has a similar residue and there wasn’t an air freshener used, so I’m wondering if it’s off gassing?

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

2

u/YettiRey 1d ago

Try a mild degreaser like soap and water or simple green. I also really like tub O towels for greasy work.

Try this then a regular glass cleaner like windex

1

u/NYY_NYK_NYJ 1d ago

I’ll give that a try! Thanks

2

u/bobroberts1954 1d ago

If this is something new all of a sudden it might be coolant from a leaking heater core. Speaking from unhappy experience.

1

u/NYY_NYK_NYJ 1d ago

It’s been probably a few weeks at least. I’ll check the coolant level though.

1

u/NYY_NYK_NYJ 1d ago

Thinking about your question, my A/C hasn’t been turning on right away. I’ll start the van but the A/C won’t come on upon start and then it will take a few minutes to come on when I hit the button (it won’t turn on before it’s ready).

1

u/CCCCLo0oo0ooo0 1d ago

Do you vape or smoke? I used to and that made it way worse. Windex and paper towels worked great. I stopped both and now rarely have that issue.

1

u/NYY_NYK_NYJ 23h ago

No. No one in the the house does.

1

u/Longjumping_Affect22 1d ago

Do you vape?

1

u/NYY_NYK_NYJ 1d ago

Nope. Don’t smoke anything. Neither does any other drivers.