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Cleaned my windows and was shocked

Discussion in 'Cushion, Curtains, Carpets, Bedding, Clothing Stor' started by Orchid, Jul 13, 2018.

  1. Jul 13, 2018 #1
    Orchid

    Orchid Sharp Shootin' Grandma

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    I don't usually do the cleaning on the exterior of the vinyl windows, that's something DH has always done, as it's difficult for me to reach it all.

    So, last night, I decided to go out and do the windows, before I put up new curtains, since DH is not here right now. I opened the one on the door side, spread it all out and sprayed with vinyl cleaner. To my shock, there was solid black grime coming off it. Not brown or tan, but dark solid black like coal.

    Since we live in Florida, I was confused about this. It took about 1/3 roll of paper towels to get it all cleaned. We don't have coal mines or coal dust here, just tan sand. So, finished up that side and opened up the rear window to start on that. To add to the mystery, that side only had tan/brown dirt on it.

    A few hours later, it finally dawned on me how the front side window got blackened. I'm just curious if anyone here comes to the same conclusion. What do you think?
     
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  2. Jul 13, 2018 #2
    jmkay1

    jmkay1 2004 Fleetwood/Coleman Utah

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    Campfire is the only thing that comes to mind.
     
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  3. Jul 13, 2018 #3
    Orchid

    Orchid Sharp Shootin' Grandma

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    That's my guess.

    With the amount of black that came off the window, it's a wonder I could still see through it. We typically have the same site every month, as it's a "tent site" at our favorite state park, and most people don't realize you can put a pup on it. Although it's a big site, the fire pit is close to the camper, in a rather inconvenient spot. I think we will start reserving the other nice "tent site" there that has a fire pit much further away. Both have hook ups.
     
  4. Jul 13, 2018 #4
    chambo

    chambo Active Member

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    My guess is that DH slacked off on his responsibilities.
     
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  5. Jul 13, 2018 #5
    Orchid

    Orchid Sharp Shootin' Grandma

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    [LOL][LOL][LOL] There just couldn't be a better answer than this!
     
  6. Jul 13, 2018 #6
    nineoaks2004

    nineoaks2004 Every meal is a picnic and every Day is a holiday

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    Well now you know the answer to your conundrum, another thing that will stain the windows etc. is parking around oaks tree, my TT and MH gets terrible black streaks from the tannic acid in the trees, leaves etc. Any way you got them cleaned and ready for the next trip..Good Luck and Keep On Camping
     
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  7. Jul 13, 2018 #7
    Halford

    Halford Well-Known Member

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    Ahh I better clean mine before my wife finds out.
     
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  8. Jul 13, 2018 #8
    tfischer

    tfischer Well-Known Member

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    My pup's are quite tinted... you weren't rubbing the tint off, were you?

    Otherwise I guess the only answer would be campfire, but I'd expect the street side to be much less in that case (unless you're frequently parked by neighboring campfires)
     
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  9. Jul 13, 2018 #9
    Sjm9911

    Sjm9911 Well-Known Member

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    My trick is to use pleadge the lemon one. It will make the windows crystal clear for like 2 to 3 weeks. It fills in the smaller stuff marks. Some say it eventually turns the windows yellow, my jeep so far has had 0 p roblums with that. It's 4 years old.
     
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  10. Jul 13, 2018 #10
    Orchid

    Orchid Sharp Shootin' Grandma

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    No, they've never been tinted. [LOL] That would really suck to clean off the tint.

    It was on the door side that always faces our fire pit. The back is backed up to utilities.


    So you clean them with Pledge, or put that on after cleaning? I was using 303 vinyl cleaner. I've always used that, other than the first time, when I needed to get mildew off and used bleach.

    Now I'm going to be stress-fully aware that our campfire smoke is leaving black dust on our window, and likely canvas, although I've never seen it there. I feel like this was something I was better off not knowing. I'd like to put something on to repel things.
     
  11. Jul 13, 2018 #11
    Sjm9911

    Sjm9911 Well-Known Member

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    I clean with the pleadge, if it's real bad I just wipe with wet cloth first. Pleadge polishes and fill in the small cracks
     
  12. Jul 13, 2018 #12
    WVhillbilly

    WVhillbilly Well-Known Member

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    I worked in Miami for a nearly a year. No mud on the job, truck was never off road.

    It was filthy, had to have it washed every 2 weeks because of the black film on it.
    Not sure if it was from pollution or what, but it was hard to keep the truck clean down there.
     
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  13. Jul 15, 2018 #13
    xvz12

    xvz12 Well-Known Member

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    +1 on the Pledge....been using it for years on my motorcycle windshields & helmet face shields.....even eyeglasses with polycarbonate lenses, with continued use, it does fill in scratches. I use one cloth to clean/polish with, then a clean dry one to buff...this removes any streaking.
     
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  14. Jul 16, 2018 #14
    landon6062

    landon6062 Active Member

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    Sounds like you have your answer.. : ) but just in case.. "parking it under a GUM TREE" will do it too, but I suspect it would also be on the TOP of the PUP too..

    Glad you got it cleaned up to your liking.. Hope you enjoy your camping ..

    donna : )
     
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  15. Jul 21, 2018 #15
    Orchid

    Orchid Sharp Shootin' Grandma

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    We are nowhere near Miami, or any major city. We live out in the boondocks of Northern Florida, 15 miles to nearest town, and it's not a big town. The closest "big city" is Gainesville, about an hour away.
     
  16. Jul 22, 2018 #16
    emoney

    emoney Well-Known Member

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    I used to own a car lot and you’d be surprised how much smoke leaves a film on everything. You could dry wipe the inside of a windshield and it would be like busting a hole in it compared to the rest, lol. If your clothes can “smell” like a campfire then everything around it has been coated along with you.
     
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