How To Get Rid of Windshield Wiper Streaks

Are the windshield wipers leaving streaks on your car’s front window after you drove through a rainshower or snowfall? These markings make driving harder by obscuring the view through the windshield, interfering with your ability to spot things like pedestrians, potholes, and other vehicles. Windshield streaks also make your car look dirtier and older than it is.

Worried that those streaks on the windshield won’t come off? Fortunately, you can remove windshield streaks from your car’s front window glass. You can also prevent their appearance in the first place by taking care of your windshield wipers. Learn about windshield streaking and how to remove streaks on car windows.

What Are Windshield Wiper Streaks?

Windshield streaks are deposits that form on the surface of the front window’s glass after running the windshield wiper. They contain dirt, debris, and other materials deposited by bad weather, like rain and snowfall. For one reason or another, the windshield wiper failed to remove them from the front window.

Some people call them windshield wiper streaks. The markings follow the path taken by the windshield wipers as the cleaning devices sweep back and forth across the front glass.

Why Do Windshield Wipers Leave Streaks?

Windshield wipers remove solids and fluids deposited on your car’s front window. When the wipers start leaving windshield streaks behind, it might indicate that something has gone wrong with the cleaning devices.

Here are the most likely reasons why windshield wipers leave streaks of dirt and grime on the front glass:

Overworked Windshield Wipers

An electric motor draws the windshield wipers across the front window. Powered by this motor and its special internal “transmission,” the wipers are designed to remove rainwater, dust, pollen, etc. for safety purposes.

However, windshield wipers can only move so much solid or liquid before they begin to struggle. Heavy rainfall or snowfall can overwhelm the wipers through the sheer mass and volume dumped on the glass. Intermittent inclement weather does not drop anywhere as much rain or snow, but it will force you to activate and deactivate the wipers, which is why intermittent wipers were invented. Just about all vehicles come standard with intermittent wipers.

Worn-Out Windshield Wiper Blades

Most windshield wipers feature rubber blades that scrape their edge across the glass. Rubber is an excellent material for this role because of its durability and flexibility.

Like any automotive part, windshield wiper blades gradually wear out, especially if they see constant or heavy use.

As the rubber part of the blade becomes worn, it grows less efficient at removing dirt, dust, water, and snow from the front window glass. Eventually, the windshield wiper will fail and the rubber may totally leave the wiper blade, which then allows the metal or plastic frame of the blade to scratch the windshield.

Exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures for extended periods will dry out rubber. Dried rubber can crumble, leaving gaps in the windshield wiper blade that solids and liquids can pass through. The degraded windshield wiper will end up leaving smears across the window glass.

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

Pro Tip: Sometimes, the rubber blades just need cleaning with a cloth and some soap. However, the rubber also tends to get hard in the sun even if the wipers haven’t been used very much. This causes the wipers to chatter across the glass.

Sometimes, the rubber blades just need cleaning with a cloth and some soap.

–Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Car Wax

Another possible culprit behind windshield streaking is car wax. If you frequent drive-through car washes, the automated cleaning process can accidentally drip wax down the front window glass. As wax builds up on the glass, the wipers can smear it across the windshield.

You must remove any car wax on the windshield. If you plan to continue taking your vehicle to drive-through car washes, choose the wax-free option.

How To Prevent Windshield Streaks

Thankfully, windshield streaking is a preventable problem. You can take steps to stop streaks from appearing on the windshield.

Inspect the windshield wiper blades regularly. Replace the blades immediately when you notice fractures or crumbling rubber. Alternatively, install new ones every six months.

Make sure to wash every square inch of the windshield. Removing dirt and grime on the glass will reduce the chance of the wiper smearing them across the glass in arching streaks.

When you clean the windshield, take the opportunity to tend the windshield wiper blades as well. Mix dishwashing liquid in warm water and wipe the parts with soapy water. Then apply rubbing alcohol to the rubber blade before wiping them down.

Look for a windshield wiper fluid that prevents streaking. Some fluid formulas can leave a residue that increases the chances of windshield streaks. If you use that wiper fluid, replace it as soon as possible.

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

Pro Tip: As strange as it may sound, sometimes the wiper arm may need to be replaced if a new wiper blade doesn’t clean the glass any better than the previous wiper blade. This can be the case even though you can’t see anything wrong with the wiper arm.

How To Get Rid of Streaks on Car Windows

Windshield streaks can make driving difficult and unsafe, especially if you let them build up. Fortunately, you can remove them from the front window glass.

Removing streaks from the windshield requires an automotive glass cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth.

Setting Up the Windshield

Start by turning off the engine and putting the windshield wipers in their resting position. You don’t want the wipers to move while cleaning the glass. Furthermore, the cleaning process requires you to lift the wipers later. If you leave them in a raised position immediately, you might find it harder to move them later.

Spray Glass Cleaner on the Windshield

Next, apply automotive glass cleaner to the windshield. Keep the spray bottle’s nozzle within one foot of the front window. Spray at the top of the glass and proceed downward until you reach the bottom, ensuring every square inch of glass receives at least some fluid.

Don’t hold back on the glass cleaner. The more fluid that reaches the windshield, the better. The cleaner works more effectively when it dribbles down the glass.

If your vehicle’s windshield is large, consider applying glass cleaner to only half of it. You don’t want the cleaner to evaporate before you can rub it into the front window glass.

Wipe the Windshield

Once you’ve applied glass cleaner to the windshield, take the microfiber cloth and rub the fluid into the glass. Start at one end of the window and proceed to the other side, wiping away the glass cleaner as you go.

Move the cloth vertically as you proceed from one end of the front window to the opposite end. This cleaning pattern helps prevent additional streaking. When you encounter windshield wiper streaks, apply more force to remove the dirt from the glass.

Clean the Glass Under the Wiper

There are still a couple of spots on the windshield that need cleaning. Lift the windshield wipers and look for any streaks under the devices.

Some of the glass cleaner fluid you applied early should have reached the spots under the windshield wipers. Rub the cleaner into the glass with the same vertical motion as before.

Clean the Windshield Wiper Blades

Now it’s time to tend to the windshield wiper blades. Spray the glass cleaner onto the microfiber cloth. Then wipe it across the rubber blades to remove any dirt or residue responsible for windshield streaking.

Do windshield streaks remain on the window after the glass cleaner has dried? Repeat the cleaning process. Check each marking to determine if they’re stubborn dirt deposits or physical damage that needs detailing to repair.

Where to Get Windshield Wiper Blades for Your Vehicle

If wiper streaks are appearing because the rubber on the windshield wiper blades has worn out, don’t put off replacing them. Order a high-quality replacement at CarParts.com today!

Our website makes it easy for car owners like you to find the right wiper blades for your ride. Choose from windshield wiper blades sourced from top manufacturers and handpicked by our industry experts. Expect to get replacements that are built to last.

We have strategically located warehouses across the US, so you won’t have to wait long to get your new windshield wiper blades. What’s more, all our products come with a low-price guarantee, so you don’t have to break the bank to get top-notch replacements.

To start shopping, fill out the vehicle selector and adjust the search filters based on your needs. Our selection includes accurate and detailed fitment information, so you’re sure to get exactly what you need.

Prevent scratches on your windshield by ordering high-quality windshield wiper blades today!