removing plasticizer from glass?

[greg]

Well, I manage this site and I am a plastics engineer, but working in internet marketing, it has been a long time since I needed help with a plastics question.

One of my boys bought a used Volvo, lives in Atlanta, and this car has a huge flat vinyl area under the large front window.

The car has serious fog issues that don't go away with regular cleaners. Between the layout of the large flat area under the window of the hot Atlanta sun (ok, not today) I think his issue is plasticizer vaporizing and sticking to the window.

So I tried paint thinner and a razor scrapper but only to a very modest improvement. I'm thinking paint thinner isn't the right solvent.

So any ideas, feedback, help? What easy to purchase solvent will dissolve plasticizer?

I know SKIP will be of help! Thanks for listening!

[Louis]

Are you thinking that there is a coating that is on the window? MEK, THF with PLENTY of ventilation, since they both work to dissolve and bond PVC. MEK might be the least damaging to your health.

Oh, stay away from the area with open flame.

As an alternate, you might try Fabulene/
Back in the day, I used some to remove an after market window tint on the inside of a car. Used it full strength, but be sure to wear gloves as it will suck the oli from your skin and leave your hands bloody and cracking. (Don't Ask) I'm thinking that you can get a gallon as a sample if you check out their web site. Think of it as Simple Green on steroids. x10

http://www.chargar.com/Products/cln_a.html

[Tom]

I've seen similar problems with people who smoke and have the air recirculation turned on. Microfiber cloths seems to do a good job cleaning glass.

[Skip]

Greg, both Louis and Tom have good ideas----paint thinners are usually nonpolar hydrocarbons, and more polar solvents are needed to cut plasticiser residues (alcohols, etc. from phthalates,and other plasticisers used in auto dash pads). Besides THF and MEK, maybe less volatile cyclohexanone and/or isopropyl alcohol(rubbing alcohol) can be used. The microfiber cloths should do a better job with these solvents than regular rags, I think.
Good ventilation---and fire precautions---are paramount!!

I recall years ago that Ford,GM, and Chrysler each had their own "fogging tests" and specifications for any plasticiser or stabilizer substitutions for auto interior PVC formulations.

[Len]

All - Great suggestions so far. I think the film is predominately plasticizer and degraded plasticizer residue that have been volatilized over long, high UV, and temperature exposure.

One common mistake w/ plasticizer clean up, especially when it’s a thin film on glass is to use soapy water. This is like trying to teach a pig to dance... the teacher get frustrated and the pig just gets pi$$ed off. On a dry windshield, smear a liquid detergent (no water, please) onto the entire area, create a paste. Work it in, let it set, then take a wet towel and wipe the emulsion off the glass. Rinse several times to remove emulsion/paste. Finish off w/ Windex.

I'd try this before using THF or MEK. These are great solvent for PVC, but over kill for plasticizer clean up.
I'd try the Cyclo that Skip suggested first, before taking chances w/ THF or MEK, as these are quite flammable and toxic. Cyclohexanone is not exactly the safest solvent, but less so than the other two, i my opinion. I'll admit that back in the day we used MEK, Cyclo, and THF like water to clean up plastisol spills, etc. We got a little into our cup as the Brits say, too!

You might also have good luck w/ a product called Goo be gone (sp).

Nothing like a claen windshield and a tank of powerful gasoline.

Len

[greg]

Thanks all,

With a better understanding of the issue, thanks to you all, I found and purchased some Stoner Invisible Glass and had it shipped to my son that has the fog issues. Also, saw these related notes:

Q: You recently wrote about window film. The film on my windows is disintegrating from exposure to the sun and I cannot find out how to remove it. Is there a solvent that you can use?
I hope you can help.

A: Solvents won't work. They simply create a sticky, smear of adhesive. However, for most brands of window film, the answer is simple. Warm, sudsy water will do the trick.

Add a dish detergent to fairly hot water. Sponge the window surface and allow to soak for 20 to 30 minutes. The enzymes of the soap will loosen the adhesive.

Use a 4-inch razor blade to scrape the film from the windows. Usually it will peel away in large strips. Be careful not to scratch the window pane. If you have any glue residue remaining, use an adhesive removal product such as Lift Off, Goo Gone, De-Solv-It or isopropyl alcohol, to finish cleaning the glass.

One of my readers recommended removal of the sticky residue with PB Blast, which is a penetrating oil like WD-40, only stronger. I am not personally familiar with PB Blast but the reader certainly gave it a strong endorsement for use on the "sticky mess that is left by removing window tint." Look for this product at an auto supply store.



My secret for quick and easy glass cleaning:

    There are three products in my glass cleaning arsenal. I use our Eimann Fabrik Clear Vision Glass Cleaner, Stoner Invisible Glass, and two microfiber Magic Towels (our Viper Glass Cleaning Towels will work equally as well).

On the front and rear inside windshield:

    I mist the windshield with Clear Vision and wipe it with a dry Magic Towel. If I notice any remaining haze or film, I respray the glass with Stoner Invisible Glass and wipe it again with a dry Magic Towel.

[Len]

Ok, Greg.

Which is it fog or film? As in those tacky blacked-out films that gangsters apply to auto windows to hide their intension during drive-bys? In some states, these are illegal. In the applied film case, solvents will only create a gooy mess.

Len

[greg]

ah, I was thinking of fog creating a 'film' of plasticizer, not an actual film. Thanks!

[Len]

Ok! Thanks, Greg.

Len