The windshield in my new "old" LeSabre has scratches, little cracks about 3/16" round, and the biggest thing is years of wiper insert rubber residue ground into the surface. I can live with the few scratches and cracks, they're small enough and not distracting, but that schmear of wiper rubber has got to go.

About ten years ago, I found a way to remove this stuff. I got it off the internet and didn't write it down. Now I can't remember it. There were two things - - 0000 steel wool, and either mineral spirits or denatured alcohol or.. or what?

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

This isn't oil or tar residue (road grime). I did give it a shot with what I already have in my cabinet - 0000 steel wool and some Comet cleanser.. no Bon Ami. This made the clean glass cleaner, and it shines like heck, but it didn't put a dent in the rubber residue. I've got some rubbing compound - I'm going to try that on a small, out of the way spot.

Sure, I could go out and get a small container of mineral spirits and denatured alcohol, but that would take all the fun out of this. I'm saving those for next to last solutions. My last solution will be a new windshield.

Why not get glass coverage on it? Wait a couple more months, put a claim in due to "big truck passed me on interstate and threw rock at windshield". Get new windshield.

I like Mike'* idea best!
The glass shops use the powdered Jewelers Rouge to polish the windshield.
That removes wax/dirt build ups & fine scratches pretty well. Also should remove much of the rubber streaking.
Last time I used water and scrubbing pad with the powdered rouge .
Not sure if I would want to use steel wool, sounds too abrasive & may offer more fine scratches. Glass is still somewhat porous.

You're reading my mind. I have been thinking on this one. I don't have the coverage - yet

The 0000 steel wool doesn't harm the glass. The parts of it that aren't schmeared with that residue actually came out cleaner - no trace of any scratching by the wool.

Maybe I can get a detailer to polish my windshield. Mostly, we just have detailers - shops and mobile - around here. The glass companies are almost all mobile too.

Just for the heck of it, I'm gonna call one and get an estimate for a new one - out of pocket.

I tried using Ceriglass and it really worked in removing hard water spots and fine scratches.