THE LARGEST BMW 2-SERIES FORUM ON THE PLANET
2Addicts
2Addicts
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash/Wax/Detailing/Exterior Restoration & Repairs) Smears on Windows

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-26-2016, 07:10 AM   #1
Cjnj
Private First Class
Canada
33
Rep
174
Posts

Drives: 2016 228i xdrive
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Kingston

iTrader: (0)

Smears on Windows

I have noticed that since about a month after getting my 2er, that there are "smear" marks on the inside of the glass on the side windows, that smear onto the glass after opening and closing the window. It is on the inside of the glass and rubs off, therefore it is an annoyance at this point (hoping it won't start to damage the tinting and/or glass).

Anyone have any ideas on how to stop it? without taking apart the doors of course.
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2016, 10:37 AM   #2
tinyTIM
Private First Class
tinyTIM's Avatar
United_States
33
Rep
101
Posts

Drives: 2016 m235 xdrive
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Mars,PA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 BMW M235xi  [0.00]
The same thing happens on mine. It is an annoyance, especially after a good detail. Interested if anyone here has a solution.
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2016, 11:36 AM   #3
Beartato
Major
Beartato's Avatar
882
Rep
1,202
Posts

Drives: M235i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Utah

iTrader: (0)

I get the same thing, especially when it's been humid outside. I have a microfiber towel I keep inthe glovebox that I use to wipe it off when it happens, I guess that works
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2016, 11:55 AM   #4
Cjnj
Private First Class
Canada
33
Rep
174
Posts

Drives: 2016 228i xdrive
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Kingston

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beartato View Post
I get the same thing, especially when it's been humid outside. I have a microfiber towel I keep inthe glovebox that I use to wipe it off when it happens, I guess that works
At least I;m not the only one (the sales manager hadn't seen it before). I guess that is an idea, just worried it is dirt or something inside the door.

Wonder if putting window cleaner on the window and then operating it to try and clean it off of the seal?
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2016, 12:08 PM   #5
pz619
Brigadier General
3274
Rep
3,254
Posts

Drives: F87 M2C 6MT, Tesla 3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

It happens. You'll just need to keep cleaning the window until it doesn't happen anymore. Other solution is basically disassembling the door to clean the rollers directly.
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2016, 06:01 PM   #6
BentZero
Lieutenant Colonel
BentZero's Avatar
United_States
624
Rep
1,753
Posts

Drives: 6MT Mineral White M235i
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Charleston, SC

iTrader: (2)

Hmm, I don't notice this. Perhaps because I clean my windows every week when I wash my car. I listen to the radio while I'm drying the car so I roll the windows down. When I roll them up they get wet, so I clean them as my last step. I roll my windows down every morning on the way to work and I have no smearing now.
__________________
I rev-match from neutral to first

6MT Mineral White on black M235i coupe
Build thread
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2016, 06:44 PM   #7
BMWZ4
Major General
BMWZ4's Avatar
1904
Rep
5,097
Posts

Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (1)

I get this all the time. What a PITA. Tried running a cloth with a screwdriver along the inside edge with the window down. Cleans it, but comes back again after a few days.
__________________
'11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2016, 08:02 PM   #8
xantdieselx
Kingslayer
xantdieselx's Avatar
No_Country
411
Rep
1,479
Posts

Drives: 23' M3 Base
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SWFL

iTrader: (0)

Interesting I don't have that problem. Only if it's raining, just rained or I just washed the car will the windows smear.

I always clean the outside glass with 0000 steel wool and Stoners Invisible Glass post wash. Then I make sure not to lower my windows until I'm absolutely the inside of the door (regulator, track, etc) are dry.

I also use a power washer when washing my car so I tend not to get a ton of water getting by the belt molding.
__________________

Previous Cars: 2008' 135i, 2010' 328i, 2013' 328i, 2016' M235i, 2017' X1, 2019' M240i
Current Cars: 2019' X3, 2021' M3 Comp
Appreciate 0
      07-27-2016, 01:29 PM   #9
Grentz
Second Lieutenant
Grentz's Avatar
58
Rep
227
Posts

Drives: X5 40i G05
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Midwest, USA

iTrader: (0)

Same problem here from day 1. Quite annoying as it gets a line where the windows roll down a bit from when you open the door.

I have a MF towel in my side pocket that I use to wipe it off every few times.
__________________
Current
19' G05 X5 40i
03' e46 M3 Convert.
Past09' e90 335d, 11' E70 X5d, 16' F22 M235xi
Appreciate 0
      08-02-2016, 08:32 PM   #10
Rayscott
Major
376
Rep
1,154
Posts

Drives: BMW 228ix
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Lewes DE

iTrader: (0)

I don't have this problem. However, I do get a lot of outgassing from the plasticizers in the dash which put a film on the inside of the windshield. I wipe the window with a dry MF cloth, then use Magic Eraser (twice) followed up with Invisible Glass on a special glass cleaning cloth. The Magic Eraser cuts through the film and removes it.
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2016, 09:22 PM   #11
SmallTownBoy
First Lieutenant
Canada
9
Rep
347
Posts

Drives: '14 M235i 6MT PSS BSM
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Detroit, Canada

iTrader: (0)

I've also had the interior window smearing since day 1.
__________________
F22 * (N55 + 6MT) ÷ PSS = FUN
Appreciate 0
      09-22-2016, 07:38 AM   #12
Cjnj
Private First Class
Canada
33
Rep
174
Posts

Drives: 2016 228i xdrive
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Kingston

iTrader: (0)

It went away for a while well we had a drought but its back again and now I've noticed 2 small scratches in the tint
Appreciate 0
      04-25-2017, 06:11 PM   #13
Cjnj
Private First Class
Canada
33
Rep
174
Posts

Drives: 2016 228i xdrive
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Kingston

iTrader: (0)

Refreshing this post....this is a better idea of what is happening with my my16.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=361396

Anyone figure out a solution for this? And I mean more then keeping a cloth in the car. This seems to be getting worse and doesn't matter weather conditions. I have a scratch on my passenger window from this...it also makes it hard to see sometimes.

Has anyone had the dealer fix the issue under some sort of warranty?
Appreciate 0
      05-04-2017, 09:41 PM   #14
jmwilson125
Major
United_States
340
Rep
1,184
Posts

Drives: 2016 M235i
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Somerville, Ma

iTrader: (0)

This was dribinge nuts. I thought I was the only one.

Kinda came up with a solution, but it seems the smears came back. I took a micro fiber towel and hosed it down with window cleaner wrapped it around a trim tool, and gently but forcefully shoved it down into the felt window.seal (window down). smears went away for about a month. I am going to try again.
Appreciate 0
      05-06-2017, 09:14 AM   #15
Rayscott
Major
376
Rep
1,154
Posts

Drives: BMW 228ix
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Lewes DE

iTrader: (0)

The smearing is the film created by the outgassing of the plasticizers contained in the vinyl dash. I own a detailing business. Do this: Wipe the glass with a clean microfiber towel then scrub once or twice with a wet Magic Eraser and remove with a MF towel, follow up with a non-ammonia glass cleaner (Invisible Glass) and wipe off with a good MF towel. I use a special MF towel for glass that I get from my detail supplier. You can order it on www.detailedimage.com under the glass section. It will come back but not as often.
Appreciate 0
      05-08-2017, 08:53 AM   #16
Rayscott
Major
376
Rep
1,154
Posts

Drives: BMW 228ix
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Lewes DE

iTrader: (0)

Another option is a glass cleaning clay bar. Got one from Griots and it did a good job.
Appreciate 0
      05-08-2017, 09:14 AM   #17
BentZero
Lieutenant Colonel
BentZero's Avatar
United_States
624
Rep
1,753
Posts

Drives: 6MT Mineral White M235i
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Charleston, SC

iTrader: (2)

I didn't have this problem for the longest time and now it's back. :/
__________________
I rev-match from neutral to first

6MT Mineral White on black M235i coupe
Build thread
Appreciate 0
      05-08-2017, 11:37 AM   #18
spencer29
Enlisted Member
spencer29's Avatar
United_States
32
Rep
49
Posts

Drives: BMW M235I
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: los angeles

iTrader: (0)

I get the same smudging on the inside of the windows. After rolling them down marks appear on the glass.

I believe it has to do with when washing the car soap water slips through the outside seal on the window and when the window goes down and then back up it brings up that dried soap up on the glass.
Appreciate 0
      05-08-2017, 02:02 PM   #19
Cjnj
Private First Class
Canada
33
Rep
174
Posts

Drives: 2016 228i xdrive
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Kingston

iTrader: (0)

I don't know but its F*$%ing annoying
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:57 AM.




2addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST