Windshield fog in 93 Camry - won't stay away?

Question

The windshield in my 93 Camry gets this fog-like grey film over most of it. AC and/or heat and/or windows down don't make a dent in it. Weather conditions don't matter either. If I spray lots of Windex on it and wipe it off, it's clear. But then it slowly comes back and is fully there within 3 days (reglardless of weather). We don't smoke. I can't figure it out.

It's different from traditional condensation that you can just wipe off. If you try to just wipe this is smears. It needs Windex, and lots of it. I tried just putting the vents on the floor and no heater or AC. Doesn't matter. Tried driving with the windows down, doesn't matter. I'm ready to kick the thing out and get a new windshield. Any thoughts? I bought the car used about a year and a half ago so I don't know "where it's been." It's not bad during the day, but the glare at night of headlights off of it makes it somewhat hard to see. Thanks.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Check your antifreeze levels. If you have a bad heater core you could be getting antifreeze vapor through the defrost vent on the windshield. Actuall you would have a light sweet vapor in the air. Its the only thing that makes sense.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Should help me address the issue at the source of the problem.

Answer 2

sounds like a leaky heater core to me

Answer 3

dude try that cheap colgate shaving cream.sound like the previous owner was a smoker.or try a sporting goods store,they may have a antifog product used for divers

Answer 4

The polymers that comprise the dash have plasticizing agents and thermal stabilizers, etc mixed in with them to make the dash and various plastic parts feel "supple" and leatherlike. Unfortunately these materials which are used to stabilized the plastic through the hot sun etc are very small mobile molecules and they tend to "bloom" which means rise to the surface of the polymer where they sit. Its kind of like a cake batter or mix separating after you've left it sit for awhile. The plasticizers and small molecules leach out and the sun heats them up very well through the windshield and hot summers and they rise and adhere to the windshield really well! Most cars have this problem. You can try using a wipe on protectant to help minimize it or try the antifog coatings like
Rainex antifog (black bottle NOT yellow one) applied to your clean windshield. Clean it with some store bought acetone and or isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) but get the 91% not the 70% we usually have at home. Its cheap...less than a buck a pint or so. Apply the antifog to the windshield on the inside.....it might not completely rid you of the problem but it should lessen it.....people wanted their dashes to feel like "real leather" and that's how the companies responded but you see the issues it can create! Hope that helps!

Answer 5

Heater core is probably leaking. Antifreeze will smear like that.

Answer 6

Sounds like a heater leak-----check engine coolent levels. check for dampness on front passenger side floor carpet or on floor just below the heater.