Windshield Stains: Tips for Removing, Prevention, and More

Visibility on the road is one of the most important aspects of safe driving. After all, drivers need to see what’s ahead to maneuver the vehicle properly.

As the largest glass surface on your vehicle, the windshield often takes a beating from road debris and the elements. Over time, stains may form on its surface and obscure your view of the road.

To keep your view of the road clear at all times, it’s important to learn about what may cause windshield stains and how to clean them properly.

Common Windshield Stains and How to Remove Them

The most common types of windshield stains are water spots, bird droppings, bug guts, tree sap, sticker residue, and chewing gum. While all these are possible to remove, you’ll find that some require more elbow grease than others.

Water Spots

Water spots form when water droplets dry on a surface, leaving minerals and other harmful contaminants behind.

Your vehicle is more susceptible to water spots when its surface temperature is high because the liquid is likely to evaporate quickly. In some cases, the spots also come from hard water which are difficult to remove.

Most drivers consider this one of the toughest stains to remove. While you may not think too much of it at first, when left to build up with other road contaminants, these may develop into pits or deep craters on the glass surface.

How to Remove Water Spots on Your Windshield

The easiest way to remove water spots on your windshield is by using a glass cleaner. If you don’t have any at home, you can make a cleaning solution by mixing two parts distilled water and one part white vinegar.

• Step 1: Rinse the windshield with water to remove loose dirt and debris to prevent scratches.
• Step 2: Spray the cleaner/solution on the stained areas and let it sit.
• Step 3: Wipe the areas using a microfiber towel in a circular motion. If they don’t come off, use a soft-bristled brush instead.
• Step 4: Rinse the windshield with distilled water to remove any residue. Repeat the steps if necessary.
• Step 5: Use dry and clean towels to dry your car completely.

Of course, nothing beats using store-bought solutions, as they’re formulated to deal with water spots.

Bird Droppings

Birds defecate before they take flight to avoid the energy cost of carrying any waste material with them. Unfortunately, you’ll have to frequently clean bird droppings off your vehicle if your parking slot is located near a tree.

If you’ve been driving for quite some time, you’ll know that bird droppings are some of the most stubborn stains to clean.

The uric acid from these droppings tend to cling onto any surface they land on. Also, uric acid isn’t  water-soluble, so you’ll need to do more than splash some water on it.

Cleaning them after they’ve been left out in the sun isn’t a picnic, either. These droppings can harden quickly, so you’ll risk permanent damage to your windshield if you use something to scrape them off.

Another reason why bird droppings are so annoying to deal with is because their acidic chemicals can permanently damage the body paint.

Tree Sap

Another thing you should be mindful of when parking near a tree is tree sap. Tree sap is sticky and hard to remove, so you’ll have to soften it before removal.  As for big globs of tree sap, you’ll need to use a scraper.

Bug Guts

Bug guts are common on windshields because insects are attracted to light and mistake the headlights for moonlight. And, of course, driving through the insects will result in them perishing around the headlight/windshield area.

How to Clean Bird Droppings, Bug Guts, & Tree Sap From Your Windshield

Follow these steps to clean organic matter from your windshield.

If the stain is still fresh, you might be able to clean it off with a glass cleaner. Once the stain has set, you may need to use a clay bar and a lubricant spray to avoid damaging the glass surface.

• Step 1: Soften the stains by pressing a damp microfiber towel with rubbing alcohol. Let it sit for a few minutes.
• Step 2: Rub the clay bar and use the lubricant spray over the stains to remove the contaminant to avoid damaging the windshield.
• Step 3: Use a glass cleaner to prevent any streaks before wiping the windshield with a clean, dry microfiber towel.

If you want to go the extra mile with protecting your windshield from bird droppings, bug guts, and tree sap, consider applying a glass stripper on it.

Many glass stripper products come with an applicator sponge, which you can use to scrub the product onto the glass.

Unlike other cleaning solutions, glass strippers won’t require you to do heavy scrubbing, so you’re less likely to damage your windshield.

Manufacturers also recommend applying a hydrophobic coating after using a glass stripper for added protection.

Sticker Residue

You’re bound to have a sticker or two on your windshield, especially if you live an active lifestyle. Some club memberships and other places require stickers as a form of identification. For most of them, it’s a requirement to replace the sticker annually.

Once you remove these stickers, they’ll leave behind residue that is hard to remove, especially if you use the wrong cleaning solution.

How to Clean Sticker Residue From Your Windshield

Sticker residue can be tricky to remove. The best course of action is to use rubbing alcohol.

• Step 1: Press a damp microfiber towel with rubbing alcohol and gently rub the stain.
• Step 2: Dry the area using a separate, clean, dry microfiber towel.

Chewing Gum

This one’s not as common as the ones listed above, but it’s better to know what to do with chewing gum stuck on the windshield. The sticky consistency can be a pain to deal with since it can spread if handled incorrectly.

How to Remove Chewing Gum From Your Windshield

The best way to remove gum from any surface is to harden it using an ice cube to make it easier to scrape and handle.

• Step 1: Wrap ice in a plastic bag and place it on the gum.
• Step 2: Once the gum/s hardens, it should be easier to remove using your hands or a scraper.
• Step 3: If there is some residue left, pour some rubbing alcohol over the stains and wipe.

How to Prevent Stains on Your Windshield

Some ways you can prevent stains on the windshield are by cleaning it regularly, using protective coating and rain repellents, and removing stickers immediately.

Clean Your Vehicle Regularly

Most stains get tougher to remove the longer you wait. As such, make it a habit to regularly clean your windshield to prevent acid rain or bird droppings from staining.

You should get your vehicle washed at least once every two weeks.

Use a Protective Coating

Adding a ceramic coating on your windshield is one of the easiest ways to make the glass surface hydrophobic. Its chemical formulation is designed to be resilient, staying on the glass surface even after using car shampoo and glass cleaners.

Use Rain Repellents

A rain repellent causes water droplets to quickly roll off your windshield instead of forming beads on the glass surface. It gives you better visibility on the road as you drive, and it limits the chances of water spots forming once the vehicle dries.

Remove Unnecessary Stickers

Remove stickers from your windshield as soon as you don’t need them anymore.

Wrapping Up

Whatever windshield stain you’re dealing with, remember that immediate action is key to minimizing damage on your vehicle’s body paint.

Stains that contain acidic properties shouldn’t be left on your car for too long, as these are the ones that are most likely to affect the paint.

As a car owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure that your vehicle looks good on the outside as it is on the inside, especially if you want to maintain the value of your daily driver.

Consider investing in a couple of cleaning and preventive products to ensure that your windshield stays free from stains and other contaminants.