How to clean etched in streaks on window?

Carol
by Carol

My kitchen window is etched with streaks from cleaning solutions. Apparently you can't clean the newer windows in the sunshine with cleaner. I have tried everything - don't want to replace the window if I can help it!!!!! This is what it looks like - I smeared Sparkle cleaner on it to try cleaning but nothing. It does show what the streaks etched into the glass look like tho

  13 answers
  • I had the same issue and went to a glass company and they said there is no fix for this.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Mar 25, 2019

    I have never seen anything like this: have you tried to clean the glass with rubbing alcohol? I did a search online about this and read that there is no fix for chemical stains on glass. If you can't replace the glass, you can always try painting over the glass (Martha Stewart has glass paint) or cover it with window contact paper: https://amzn.to/2Opshiv

  • Christine Christine on Mar 25, 2019

    You can try car compound. I used it on an old basement window I salvaged from the trash. Three panes of glass that you couldn't see through and nothing else worked. I use it as a picture frame!

  • Sissy Sissy on Mar 25, 2019

    I used a car glass buffing stuff made by armorall .It is in a yellow squeeze type bottle in Walmart .I used it for water spots on glass so maybe it will work on your window

  • Alberta Coulter Alberta Coulter on Mar 25, 2019

    I had some solar lanterns in the back yard that were etched on the top and no longer worked. My son cleaned the glass (on the solar panel), sanded it with very fine sandpaper and then sprayed it with clear coat like you would use on a car. It worked for a while and although the sensors are no longer working, the glass panel is still clear. I don't know if this will work on a window, but it seems you haven't much to lose.

  • AJ Tisdale AJ Tisdale on Mar 25, 2019

    Have you tried toothpaste?

  • Lucy Marie Bernier Lucy Marie Bernier on Mar 25, 2019

    Buffing Compound, the cream one. Not the abrasive one. Try a corner of the window and see if it work. Soft sponge Putin water squeezeout excess water. Dip a corner in buffing compound. “ Need to use the creamy White Compound “

  • Nancy Stevens Nancy Stevens on Mar 25, 2019

    Magic eracer

  • Janice Janice on Mar 25, 2019

    Not likely that you can undo the problem. A window washer fellow told me to try TSP (trisodiumphosphate) to attempt to get calcium & minerals off my windows do to a sprinkler's overspray from a nearby park off my windows. I tried it, but it did not work. I will not replace my windows as it continues to be a problem and I can't do anything about it. You might give TSP a try on your windows. Please let us know if it works!

  • Kate Kate on Mar 25, 2019

    I guess this is what happened to my new window facing north. Can't figure how direct sun influenced the cleaner to produce a striping ghost affect. Gosh thanks for the info. Wish the glass company would pre-warn about this strange development.

  • DAWN DAWN on Mar 25, 2019

    My husband used super fine steel wool and WD-40, then followed up with glass wax. You may have to do it a couple times, but ours came out awesome

  • Jacx Jacx on Mar 26, 2019

    The trouble w glass is that it is a super cooled liquid! It never stops moving. The windows in the great cathedrals are now paper thin and continue to sag. Glass is made from similar material as the deposits left by hard water. They bond PERMANENTLY! Whatever chemical you used has scratched or etched the glass. Try the headlight cream, at this point you have nothing to loose.

    In the future use a water plus white vinegar mix, then a good squeegee. Finish w a lint free rag.

    The bad news is i doubt you can fix this issue. Good luck.