Annoying smears....

[Tony B]

Sorry, no other way to describe them really.

On the inside of the door window glass, seem to appear in no time at all after cleaning, maybe after rain (of which we have had way too much recently).
Looks horrible.

It is not leaking in through the seal, but only appears after the window has been lowered and then raised again, so must be something inside the door smearing against the glass as it moves.

Any ideas on what is causing this, and can it be prevented?

[Yoyoman]

I have the same issue on the driver's window, similarly the streak is on the inside surface.

Anyone?

[zblake]

I get that too on my 09 coupe. I think it is from where the window sticker was and there is come left over adhesive got into the window seal? Lately when I wash my car, after drying I roll the window down and slide the corner of the towel in between the felt/rubber seals and run it back and forth. I seems to be helping as the streaking is getting much less now. This only happens on the drivers side on my car...

[Tony B]

Originally Posted by zblake

I get that too on my 09 coupe. I think it is from where the window sticker was and there is come left over adhesive got into the window seal? Lately when I wash my car, after drying I roll the window down and slide the corner of the towel in between the felt/rubber seals and run it back and forth. I seems to be helping as the streaking is getting much less now. This only happens on the drivers side on my car...

This is also driver's side, but mine is a right hand drive car (UK) so this will be the opposite side from yours. Which window sticker are you referring to?

[Martin_D]

Have you ever had window tint installed?

[rjd598]

This happens on my car as well but it only becomes an issue once the car has been driven for awhile after a wash. When I wash the car I won't roll
Down the windows for a day so the water can dry uP but eventually the window will look like that after pulling it down and up for some time

[positiveions]

those are from the seals. Had that on my 'ol ZHP and my E90; they are annoying. Someone suggested to get a brake cleaner, roll the window down, spray some brake cleaner on a piece of towel, and clean it with it. Never tried it.

[Tony B]

Originally Posted by Martin_D

Have you ever had window tint installed?

No window tint at any time, no.

[AutoCon]

Roll down the window completely and clean the inboard seals with a low duty solvent(Tarminator), however there may be transfer lower inside the door skin that can only be cleaned by pulling off the inner door panel.

[zblake]

Originally Posted by Tony B

This is also driver's side, but mine is a right hand drive car (UK) so this will be the opposite side from yours. Which window sticker are you referring to?

The "for sale" window sticker that has the options, pricing, ect. Here in the U.S. they put them on the drivers side (left) so it smacks you in the face when you step in to take a ride. Just a guess, not sure if my hypothesis is fact. I just know that after about 2 months of my little cleaning (I wash my car every week), there is almost no smearing anymore at all.

Also, this has nothing to do with washing the car then putting down the window(s), that is a totally different streaking phenomenon, not smearing.

Z

[thedrknows]

I had this on my 08 and my new 12. It happens on both sides of my car. I do not think it is the sticker that causes it and it is not because of the window tint either (my 08 hat tint, but my 12 does not). The cause of this has to do something with washing the car or driving in the rain since the smears will not show up until you roll down the window after washing or it rains.

This problem is rather frustrating since I am in the military and have to roll my window down daily to show ID when going in our gate. I have gotten to where I just carry a small microfiber towel in my driver side door pocket.