How can you remove smoke film from a car window? I have tried everything!!?

Question

This film is kind of waxy looking and glass cleaners don't remove it. I called a window replacement center and the only alternative I was offered was to have it replaced. I have compared my window to others and mine looks terrible. It's especially worse at night, causes a bad glare.

The film appears to be on the interior glass.

Answer 1

First, wash the window with a mixture of 1 cup lemon Pine Sol to a half gallon of hot water, as hot as you can tolerate it. Then rewash with regular window spray and paper towels. The lemon Pine Sol and water solution works on ANYTHING that has the "smoke film" on it (although it's not all smoke, some is tar and nicotine). We bought a desk that was so covered, and this worked. I tried regular Pine Sol and it works too but not as well as the lemon AND the lemon does smell better....

Answer 2

PLEASE DON"T have it professionally done.but if you must do iy yourself go to an auto body supply store and get a gallon of laquer thinner(tell them you want the cheap stuff or "wash thinner" and a LOT of rags.You will also need a few single edge razor blades.Remove your door panels and peel the tint off with a razor blade now take a rag and wet it with thinner then wipe the glue on the window to soften it.Now take a razor blade and scrape as much of the glue off as you can then take your rag and wet it again and clean up the left over residue.Once you think you have all the glue off clean the glass with some wndex.I assure you there will still be some glue there so take a clean rag wet it with the thinner and spot clean the left overs,now clean with windex again.THis job is a huge mess and labor intensive so think twice before getting into it.Hopefully by the time you do all the side glass you'll have the hang enough to be very careful when you do the back and windsheild not to drip thinner all over the place.Also you'll wana wear some heavy duty latex gloves...GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

Ammonia will do the trick, but be sure to have all the windows down and cover your face with a towel as it will really take your breath. In a few minutes the ammonia smell will vanish.
You should be able to get it at a grocery store.

Answer 4

A Vinegar solution will work.
What kind of car is it? How old is it? Does it happen when the defroster is on? Is the floor wet under the dash?
It might be a more serious problem.

Answer 5

years ago I used to drive taxi on the weekends at night for extra $ and i had that problem especially in the rain ,,a guy told me to put coke or Pepsi on it ,,i tried it and just let it sit there 30 seconds or so ,and presto,it doesn't,t make your wipers sticky and it works
try it it,ll only cost you a buck..

Answer 6

You can use head and disc cleaner solution. Order it from mcminone.com or try some of the struff they sell at Radio Shack or Camelot music or something. Good luck.

Answer 7

Believe it or not, try a white toothpaste. It is not gritty enough to do damage to your windshield but it is course enough to cut through the film. I use it on my truck, with tough film.

Answer 8

slightly use paint thinner with windows open i tried it and it worked for me it took a while for the smell to go away but it worked lightly rub it on and wipe it off

Answer 9

have you tried a vinegar water mix, spray it on and use a newspaper like a cleaning cloth...it might work

Answer 10

Use Greased Lightning it works great.