Foggy windows...on the inside

LegacyLS90 · Post by **LegacyLS90** » Sun Jan 04, 2004 11:30 pm

My windows tend to get foggy fairly easy. All the windows fog up in the inside, and my blowers can't clear then up too quickly. Would the problem with my sunroof leaking cause this, or could it be something else???

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sun Jan 04, 2004 11:37 pm

If your sunroof leaks a lot, then you could have a lot of moisture in the carpeting and seats, which I would imagine could definitely cause more fogging.

You say they fog fairly easily -- do you think it might not really be an abnormal condition? You can help the situation just by taking a few precautions. Like, if the air is dry, run the defroster pre-emptively to avoid fogging your windows in the first place. The defroster blows onto the windshield and onto the front windows. Also avoid sitting in your car in the winter without the blower motor running, since you breathe out moist air. Don't leave drinks in the cupholders when you park the car, since they can evaporate.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Jan 04, 2004 11:52 pm

These cars are not as good as the older models when it comes to high-power defrosting, but as vrg3 said, try to run it preemptively, especially if you're transporting other people.

Steve

QuickDrive · Post by **QuickDrive** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 1:13 am

I have the same problem, and I can say that its probably the moist interior that is doing it.

I sometimes have to sit 15 minutes with the defroster going to get the windshield clear if it is snowing and damp out.

My rear door windows rarely defog.

My Seats aren't very damp but I do have a somewhat of a wet carpet in the back passenger side.

I will be fixing my sunroof and removing the entire interior in the spring when I install my stereo, hopefully will be able to dry the whole car out.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 1:37 am

My friend had a moisture problem with his Jetta TDI last winter. We were having trouble getting it to start so we were spending a lot of time in the passenger compartment with the engine off (and not willing to leech power to run the blower motor), usually breathing hard since we were working hard. We were thinking about getting a couple of pounds of bulk silica gel from McMaster and leaving them in his car. Never got around to ordering it, though...

That bulk dessicant is pretty cool. It can absorb up to 21% of its weight in moisture and can be re-dried in an oven for reuse. If you're rich, you can get it in indicating form so it changes color when it's reached its moisture capacity.

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 4:55 am

clean your windows. Dirty windows fog up MUCH more and easier then clean windows.

I hardly ever have fogged up windows, and the defrost usually takes care of it very quickly.

Clean your windows and then see how things are. But as others have mentioned, if you have leak, and the interior is rather damp, then it may be more difficult. If you can run a small heater in it overnight or something to help dry it out, that may be a good idea.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 5:05 am

Yeah, cleaning them is a good idea. Be sure to use good cleaner. In my experience no-name glass cleaner often leaves streaks and such.

georryan · Post by **georryan** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:12 am

My windows defog real fast. The only catch is gettin the air to be warm on a cold start, because it takes a while for hte engine to warm up.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 7:33 am

I find alcohol based cleaner with newspaper works pretty well for cleaning windows - no streaks like Windex.

Steve

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 8:11 am

Swing by home depot and grab a can of that air dryer stuff. Leave it under your seat for a week or so, and it should trap a fair bit of moisture, and keep your windows clean, like legacy777 said

QuickDrive · Post by **QuickDrive** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 2:22 pm

That's interesting, about the dirty windows thing...

Since I bought my car in the fall I really didn't have a chance at cleaning the interior yet, I'm going to do a full out detailing session this spring, but my rear windows are filthy.

Starting to make a little sense.. I think I will look into the moisture catcher, I would have no clue where to find bulk silica gel.

Mini heater may be in need for my situation too.

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 2:48 pm

I hate windex with a freakin passion. That shit is the worst stuff on the market. It's rather difficult to get streak-free windows with it.

Go to home depot and get yourself some Zep window & surface cleaner. It's an aerosol/foam cleaner that works pretty damn well, and doesn't leave streaks. The industrial stuff is better then the stuff they have at home depot, but the home depot stuff is close to being the same.

Also, some window cleaning tips. For the side windows I usually spray the window a little, use one paper towel to wipe it down, and then another to completely dry it. For the rear windows and harder to reach I usually spray the paper towel and then wipe the window with it, then dry it. That's what works for me.

Other issue that comes up with the front window (which I hate cleaning) is protectants with silicone or probably even others will evaporate a little, and coat the window with a film/slime. For those of you that haven't cleaned your windows in a while, you may want to use some pin-sol or other cleaner on a damp(not dripping) rag first. Just wipe the window down. That will probably help get rid of some of the real nasty dirt, and then use window cleaner to help get rid of streaks and the like.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 4:59 pm

QuickDrive wrote:I would have no clue where to find bulk silica gel.

vrg3 wrote:We were thinking about getting a couple of pounds of bulk silica gel from McMaster and leaving them in his car.

McMaster-Carr:

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Go on the site and search for "bulk desiccant" and scroll to the bottom of the page.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:58 pm

You could always buy lots of shoes or beef jerky... Mmmm jerky...

Smoking really puts the hurts on windows, too. I will never date another smoker. I love my car, but I don't blow its exhaust pipe. That's what I felt like I was doing when I was with her and i love the car so much more.

Steve

Yukonart · Post by **Yukonart** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 7:08 pm

The things at Home Depot (last time I checked) were called "Dri-Z-Air"

They should still carry them. I THINK bulk refills can be purchased as well.

QuickDrive · Post by **QuickDrive** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 7:50 pm

evolutionmovement wrote:You could always buy lots of shoes or beef jerky... Mmmm jerky...

Mmmmmmmm Jerky indeed.

I'll check the home depot next time I'm there.
But until then I think I may buy a small space heater and let it go over night for a few nights (I don't pay power for my outdoor plugs)

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 8:01 pm

(I don't pay power for my outdoor plugs)

muwahahahahahhaa

Get the forty thousand btu sucker....haha

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 8:07 pm

I know it's obvious, but be really careful that you don't create a fire hazard!

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 8:11 pm

just be careful not to light your car on fire

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 8:22 pm

Yeah.....place the heater either on the floor, on low heat, or put a board or something over the center console arm rest and then put the heater on it. Most heaters have a switch or something of that nature so they turn off if they are tipped.

QuickDrive · Post by **QuickDrive** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 8:33 pm

I'd most likely get the small brick style 1500W one,

My father used to use one in his car and set it to a timer to go on for an hour and off for 15 minutes throughout the night.

My main area of concern is the rear floor so I'll put it on the passenger floor on some wood or ceramic tile.

All in all not too worried about fire.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 8:53 pm

You might have better luck if you remove your passenger seat (bring it into the living room to dry out

) because there will be more space for air to flow around.

QuickDrive · Post by **QuickDrive** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 9:01 pm

I'll be removing those in the spring along with the entire carpet, so I guess I'm going to be doing this for a temporary solution.

I've found 3 silica gel bags so far, only Eighty Hundred more to go

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 9:08 pm

Hehe... Where'dja find them? Make sure they don't already have moisture in them. Most of the cheap ones can't be recharged I don't think.

McMaster does also sell jars full of those little packets, and they're pretty cheap. We used to use those in our submarine to keep it dry.

QuickDrive · Post by **QuickDrive** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 9:13 pm

You own a submarine?

Naw, I didn't really find any.

I'll run down to the Local homedepot next time I'm near the closest city with it there.

Right now the moisture on my back carpet is more like A frozen chunk of carpet. If I had a garage I'd fix that sooner than later because I know what it leads too, but there's nothing I can do without one, except wait til springtime.

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Foggy windows...on the inside

Foggy windows...on the inside