How to Deal with Foggy Glass?
3 Answers
When the glass becomes foggy or develops water droplets, turning semi-transparent, the solution is to disassemble and wipe the glass, then reinstall it to ensure proper sealing. Below is an introduction to automotive glass: 1. Vacuum glass is essentially composed of two layers of glass with a sealing strip in between, providing excellent sealing without air flow, resulting in clear transparency free from impurities. 2. Over time, the sealing adhesive ages and develops cracks, allowing air between the two layers of glass to circulate with indoor and outdoor air. Moisture then enters between the glass layers, adhering to the glass and affecting transparency, making it appear foggy. In severe cases, water droplets may form.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and foggy windows are particularly annoying, especially when driving in the rain. The key is to reduce the humidity inside the car: as soon as fog appears, immediately turn on the air conditioning to the windshield defrost mode—using cold air is the fastest way to clear the fog. During winter cold starts, using warm air is actually more effective. At the same time, crack open a window to ventilate and allow air circulation, preventing moisture buildup. Avoid leaving wet towels or drink bottles in the car, as they can increase humidity. Additionally, applying an anti-fog spray evenly on the glass can prevent fogging for an entire day. If fogging occurs frequently, check if the car's interior and exterior seals are leaking air, and ensure the air conditioning system is regularly maintained. Safety comes first—if visibility is poor, pull over, turn on the hazard lights, and address the issue before continuing. Never risk driving with blurred vision, as it can lead to serious accidents.
When encountering foggy windows during daily commutes, I deal with it immediately since rush hour delays are unacceptable. The quickest solution: press the defog button to blast cold air directly at the windshield—it clears up in seconds. Alternatively, simply opening windows for cross-ventilation works within 10+ seconds. Keeping a dry cloth or paper towels in the car allows quick wiping as a temporary fix. DIY solutions also help—diluted dish soap applied with a soft cloth on the inner glass prevents fogging for an hour, being cost-effective and eco-friendly. Develop the habit of wiping dry floor mats and seats before driving to avoid introducing moisture, saving hassle long-term. On mornings with drastic temperature changes, pre-warm the car and activate AC for pre-dehumidification to prevent fogging proactively—don’t wait until driving when scrambling affects your mood.
