[Jeff J]

I noticed that the windshield of our month-old 2024 X5M has what appears to be hard water spots on the lower right side. Whatever it is seems to be the result of a single large drip. It's left something that can be felt with a fingernail, and has not yielded to my usual windshield cleaning products.

The vehicle is barely a month old, is garaged most of the time, and has only been exposed to rain once (and was washed promptly thereafter). No bird droppings or other major soils encountered so far. I'm assuming it's something that happened since I bought the car - I don't recall seeing this at delivery, though it's really only visible when light hits it a particular way (hence the poor quality photos).

Any thoughts on what I'm dealing with and how to get rid of it?

[TurtleBoy]

Give vinegar a try if you haven't already.

[jad03060]

When I want to really clean my glass, I'll use McGuirer's polish with a foam pad on a random orbital buffer.

3M makes a really good glass cleaner spray as well and I use that the other times.

[walketed]

Originally Posted by Jeff J

I noticed that the windshield of our month-old 2024 X5M has what appears to be hard water spots on the lower right side. Whatever it is seems to be the result of a single large drip. It's left something that can be felt with a fingernail, and has not yielded to my usual windshield cleaning products.

The vehicle is barely a month old, is garaged most of the time, and has only been exposed to rain once (and was washed promptly thereafter). No bird droppings or other major soils encountered so far. I'm assuming it's something that happened since I bought the car - I don't recall seeing this at delivery, though it's really only visible when light hits it a particular way (hence the poor quality photos).

Any thoughts on what I'm dealing with and how to get rid of it?

It might be minerals.. it's hard to remove it. Take it to a professional detail service, you could damage or scratch the windshield. Or you could try at the dealer, maybe falls under warranty?

[charlie fairmont]

If it were mine, I would soak a paper towel in vinegar, let it sit on the spot for a bit, and then scrape with a fresh razor blade.

[malvern_man]

Try using a clay bar.

[chefwong]

Got a old heating pad around.....

I would try with some things you might have at home. Paper towel with vinegar. Maybe fold it to be 3X thick and soak more vinegar...

Blow Dryer, Heat Gun, propane torch...get that area warm.
Then Apply the Paper Towel...
Some localized heat for a bit as it dwells.

As crazy as this may sound, but all materials, metal, glass, etc - things do absorb when hot. So reheating the surface may help in -lifting- it out.

[sharkymcpeterson]

Polish it. Or try chemical guys water spot remover.

Guaranteed to work.

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Would a bug&tar remover help?

[jad03060]

Sounds like it's a mineral deposit, i.e., water spot. You either scrape it off, buff it off, or dissolve it. If it's pitted, though, it's from something else, and you may be able to buff it to minimize the defect.

[Jeff J]

I alternately applied vinegar, goo-gone (citric acid lifts a lot of things!), and a razor blade tonight and made some amount of progress. It's definitely not gone, but there's an improvement. I'm a little shy with the blade, as I obviously don't want to scratch the glass, but it's definitely finding and lifting something from the window.

Still no idea what the root cause might have been, though, especially after so little time out of the garage.

[Tejas1836]

Bon Ami

[denaliman]

Try a little clr on a towel. Let it soak for a few minutes. Scrape off with a plastic razor blade.

[traron]

Funny that you posted this my new LCI needs a new windshield. There is a smudge sanwiched inside the glass right near the hud arount 8 inches long. Dealer looked at it today and its a factory defect and will need to be inspected by BMW to authorize a replacement windshield...Make sure that it is not inside the glass.

[sharkymcpeterson]

Chemical guys water spot remover removes any and every water spot on any vehicle surface. It works in about 10 seconds with minimal effort. It’s the best investment I’ve made when it comes to car detailing materials. If you haven’t used this product it is game changing. It’s a miracle product. No I do not work for chemical guys, just the best water spot remover ever invented.

[MJBradley1967]

If it's minerals, how about CLR or Lime-A-Way?

[streborx]

Do you park in an underground garage where condensation drips off the concrete structure?

[Jeff J]

Originally Posted by streborx

Do you park in an underground garage where condensation drips off the concrete structure?

No, I park in the timber framed drywalled garage attached to my home. The only times the car has gotten wet are in the one brief rainstorm we had, and the few times I've washed / hand dried it. Really no idea what the source might have been, but at least it seems to be coming off with a little elbow grease.

I might have to try that Chemical Guys product that's been mentioned a couple of times, just to have on hand for the future, though...

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by sharkymcpeterson

Chemical guys water spot remover removes any and every water spot on any vehicle surface. It works in about 10 seconds with minimal effort. It’s the best investment I’ve made when it comes to car detailing materials. If you haven’t used this product it is game changing. It’s a miracle product. No I do not work for chemical guys, just the best water spot remover ever invented.

I'll keep that in mind as well, thanks. So far, the few CG products I have tried have been really good!

Originally Posted by Jeff J

No, I park in the timber framed drywalled garage attached to my home.

That sounds sweet!

I hope you get this resolved. Worse case, you can get the windshield replaced, but that may be a bit extreme unless you're like me and you fixate on the defect every time you drive.

[Pabloh88]

Originally Posted by sharkymcpeterson

Chemical guys water spot remover removes any and every water spot on any vehicle surface. It works in about 10 seconds with minimal effort. It’s the best investment I’ve made when it comes to car detailing materials. If you haven’t used this product it is game changing. It’s a miracle product. No I do not work for chemical guys, just the best water spot remover ever invented.

Have you ever used it on shower glass? I’m looking for the lowest effort fix for that.

[sharkymcpeterson]

Originally Posted by Pabloh88

Have you ever used it on shower glass? I’m looking for the lowest effort fix for that.

An infant could apply enough pressure to remove every single spot back to brand new. It’s magic. Try it.

[Pabloh88]

Originally Posted by sharkymcpeterson

An infant could apply enough pressure to remove every single spot back to brand new. It’s magic. Try it.

Thanks, I’m going to pick some up.