Windshields

The outside of my windshield looks as though it's been sand blasted and, when driving into the sun, it's starting to get hard to see. I've tried clay bar, wax, Stoner's glass cleaner, windex, the newspaper trick and a few other methods of window cleaning and I can't make it clear again. Any tips or tricks for the outside or do I need a replacement?

 

Don't know if there is anything that will truly help with the road rash on the windshiled other than just replacing it? Have you called a glass repair professional & got their opinion?

 

Not yet, I put a call into my insurance company to see if I can get it replaced through them. Waiting to hear back.

 

Replacement is the answer. Honestly, for the cost of a new windshield, there's no better option. Look into aftermarket windshield providers, as their product is decent, and about 1/3 the cost of OEM.

 

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I kind of figured that was going to be the answer. I'm just not up on any new products that I could try out first. I was hoping there would be some $20 polish type stuff that would help out.

 

Can't do anything for pitting/chipping other than replacing it.

 

Just had my wife's windshield replaced on her 2011 Venza, due to damage, by a local glass company here in New Jersey. Cost was $220 + tax. Shop around and you should find something reasonable.

 

You can't polish out chips and pits. Wax will only make it look worse. The wax will fill the pits and turn white then be impossible to clean out without some sort of heavy duty cleaner.

The easiest thing is to get a new windshield IMO.

You can try a sealer like rain-x to fill in some of the small pits, but it will ultimately wash off. If your looking for a product that lasts longer but costs much more see here http://www.graniteshield.com/

 

No snake oil for windshields??

Stone sealer for a windshield? Never thought of that... And Wholly hell that shit is expensive!!! I think I'll just get a new one installed.

 

It's also for glass. I can get the industrial version made for glass, but they don't sell to the public and I have no links so you got granite sealer

Do you have a bug guard?

I noticed when I had my bug guard a ton of shit would hit my shield. Now that I removed it most hits my hood.

 

Nope, no bug shield, never had one. My hood has a fair amount of chips also

 

Keep in mind, that when you polish glass, it will distort. So even if you do put a ton of elbow-grease into polishing the crap out of a windshield, you'll end up with a distorted view. It's really a lose-lose scenario.

I've seen some vehicles now with a 3M clear film on the windshield. Looks like a cool idea, but I'm hesitant to get on board. 3M film scratches easily, and for the cost of the film, you're still better off just installing a new windshield every year or two...

 

Only way to distort glass by polishing it is to take a layer off of it with optical polish (cerium oxide) and a polisher. If anyone took the time to do that they are bat shit crazy, but I do agree it will distort it.

 

Same issue with mine, but now it has a giant crack dead center from the top all the way to the bottom. So I'm just gonna replace it now haha

 

I got ahold of my insurance company and I have full glass coverage, no deductible. for a free windshield!

 

Good deal! I just installed one in my truck yesterday, and WOW, what a difference!

 

This is a good thread,but the only way to keep those pesky chips off your hood, and windshield sand blasting,and the dreaded headlight glazing is to not follow as closely as we all do.Just back off a bit and increase your following distance and you will be suprised .

 

While I will agree tailgating is bad, you obviously never drove on a NE highway where leaving a gap is totally impossible no matter how hard you try. If you leave 1/2 a car length in front of you someone with a suburban size truck will push into it and cut you off. It's just part of driving up here. When you live in the most densely populated state there is no such thing as backing off.

Our roads are also total crap and rocks shooting out at 70mph can go a hundred yards. My truck looks like someone took about 10 shots at it from the front with bird shot

 

Ahh the wonderful NE.The answer is yes I have drove up there the wife is from Ct.And being a Driver of the 18 wheel type I do understand about the assholes whose time is more important than anyones.So I do beg to differ with you about leaving a gap,for I see it every day.