Scratches in Windshield (Shim, picus, please enter :))

Josh49 · 10-16-2006, 02:46 PM

Already stf, this thread came up, only 1 response:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=windshield

Was on a long trip, commited genocide on many of the insect populations, to the point that it was really imparing visibility. Decided to use a squeegee at the gas station. The next day when I was driving I noticed there was a bunch of scratches (from the squeegee I guess). They are only apparent when the light is at the perfect angle, but it's just enough to piss me off. Any advice on how to detail the glass. I tried claying and waxing the windshield thinking they might be shallow enough that the wax would fill the scratches.. The situation improved, but not enough..

Here's my question, can the windshield be polished using a very non-abrasive abrasive? Such as Scratch-X, etc.? I am afraid if I am abrading that area, I could end up making cloudy splotches, which would be even more annoying than the few scratches... It'd be really nice if the windshield could be polished then sealed like the paintwork...

If not, I guess I'll just have to live with it.. Just curious if anyone had some advice/experience on this..

Thanks ahead of time,

J49

Brunotheboxer · 10-16-2006, 02:56 PM

you dont have to live with it. if all else fails just take a hammer to it and break it then your insurance will pay for a brand new one. i know this works in MA. but am not sure of other states' policy on windshield coverage.

Josh49 · 10-16-2006, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

you dont have to live with it. if all else fails just take a hammer to it and break it then your insurance will pay for a brand new one. i know this works in MA. but am not sure of other states' policy on windshield coverage.

I've heard its best to keep in the original windshield as long as possible. I've heard bad stories of replacement windshields never fitting exactly right and noise/water issues.

The scratches aren't too bad, but I would like to detail them out if possible. I definitely would never have the heart/large enough kahunas to take a hammer to the windshield... And I don't really want to take my car in/not have my car, etc.. Thanks for the tip though.. The $0 glass coverage in MA is a great idea though..

F32Fleet · 10-17-2006, 08:05 AM

I asked about this a year or two ago with my E46. Called around to all the auto glass / detailers. I couldn't find an product that'll do what you're looking for.

ZuerstBMW · 10-17-2006, 08:38 AM

I used this on my other car and it worked great.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Glass-Window-Scr...QQcmdZViewItem

Bimmer325 · 10-17-2006, 10:34 AM

replacing a windshield is not a good move unless if you have big spider cracks as advised by the dealer. the work is huge to replace the windshield and they cant guarantee you a tight fit like the factory did.

Josh49 · 10-17-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer325

replacing a windshield is not a good move unless if you have big spider cracks as advised by the dealer. the work is huge to replace the windshield and they cant guarantee you a tight fit like the factory did.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I have heard...

Josh49 · 10-17-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZuerstBMW

I used this on my other car and it worked great.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Glass-Window-Scr...QQcmdZViewItem

Hmm.. I'll look at this in more detail when I get home from work.. Thanks..

canucklion · 10-17-2006, 11:27 AM

sorry to hear, Josh, I'd advise you to live with it instead of replacing it, for reasons that others have already pointed out.

Josh49 · 10-17-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklion

sorry to hear, Josh, I'd advise you to live with it instead of replacing it, for reasons that others have already pointed out.

I think you misread the post. I am not interested in replacing it at all. Period.

I want to detail the hairline scratches out if possible, and was asking if anyone had any advice/experience on this...

J49

txusa03 · 10-17-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

I think you misread the post. I am not interested in replacing it at all. Period.

I want to detail the hairline scratches out if possible, and was asking if anyone had any advice/experience on this...

J49

have you tried to pm bmwexecutive? I think he knows every thing there is about detailing the e90.

sorry could not resist...

uhaulball · 10-17-2006, 01:35 PM

My dad had his windhshield replaced because of several large rockchips and cracks. Auto sensing windshield wipers never worked the same again: DONT SMASH THE WINDSHEILD :O

txusa03 · 10-17-2006, 01:50 PM

I seldom use gas station windshield cleaner. If you looked closely at the bin where the squeezie is store, there are plenty of sands/pebbles/debris in that water.

Josh49 · 10-17-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

I seldom use gas station windshield cleaner. If you looked closely at the bin where the squeezie is store, there are plenty of sands/pebbles/debris in that water.

Yeah it's tough, sometimes on a long trip it gets to the point that you really don't have a choice.. The bugs on some roads/certain times of year are out of control...

I think I'm going to look into the possibility of buying my own squeegee, and bringing it with me on long trips and use that along with some bottled water..

Boondoggler · 10-17-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

Hmm.. I'll look at this in more detail when I get home from work.. Thanks..

You can go to the manufacturer website to get more information:

http://www.janvil.com/

I've never used it, but it looks interesting.

ZuerstBMW · 10-18-2006, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boondoggler

You can go to the manufacturer website to get more information:

http://www.janvil.com/

I've never used it, but it looks interesting.

It works as long as you put your hip into it.

txusa03 · 10-18-2006, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

Yeah it's tough, sometimes on a long trip it gets to the point that you really don't have a choice.. The bugs on some roads/certain times of year are out of control...

I think I'm going to look into the possibility of buying my own squeegee, and bringing it with me on long trips and use that along with some bottled water..

Hey Josh49, here is something to try next time you head out for a long trip. Go buy rainX, clean your windshield then apply rainX on windshield. That does not stop the bugs from accumulating on the windshield but it helps removing the dead bugs more easily. Little bugs (like love bugs) will leave very little footprint with the rainX on windshield). I never been to boston so I don't know what sort of bugs you folks are brewing up there. Give it a try.

bimmernotbeamer · 10-18-2006, 04:06 PM

Polishing glass is next to impossible. Glass is much harder than paint. In order to polish out scratches you will need a rotary polisher, agressive pad (most likely wool) and a glass specific polish. Even with all these things there is a fair chance of not polishing evenly and distorting the glass, which would mean that you will have to replace it for sure. Just learn to live with the scratches. I've accumulated enough on my e36 from the wipers alone. It's just one of those things.

picus · 10-23-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidN

Polishing glass is next to impossible. Glass is much harder than paint. In order to polish out scratches you will need a rotary polisher, agressive pad (most likely wool) and a glass specific polish. Even with all these things there is a fair chance of not polishing evenly and distorting the glass, which would mean that you will have to replace it for sure. Just learn to live with the scratches. I've accumulated enough on my e36 from the wipers alone. It's just one of those things.

Sorry for the late reply, just got back from ED. Just wanted to

this advise. Polishing glass is for pros only; I've seen guys do it with rotaries that spin up to 16,000rpms (fwiw, we polish paint in the 1200-1500range). Unfortunately aside from replacing, you have to live with it.

Josh49 · 10-23-2006, 08:20 PM

Thanks picus and David for the responses. Your responses are identical to the thoughts I was having on this topic.. Live with it it is... "It" happens, I guess...

shimshimhada · 10-23-2006, 08:33 PM

I was waiting for either David or Kevin to respond. I was wondering if you could heat up the glass enough to fix the imperfections and what not with a blowtorch.

jk

Josh49 · 10-23-2006, 08:48 PM

Shim - One way to remove small fractures and imperfections in glass is to actually etch it with hydroflouric acid. By etching out these imperfections, the strength of the glass will increase. A lot.

HF is some scary shit though.. definitely not something I have sitting in on my Zaino shelf...

10-16-2006, 02:46 PM	#1
Josh49 Major General 266 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	Scratches in Windshield (Shim, picus, please enter :)) Already stf, this thread came up, only 1 response: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=windshield Was on a long trip, commited genocide on many of the insect populations, to the point that it was really imparing visibility. Decided to use a squeegee at the gas station. The next day when I was driving I noticed there was a bunch of scratches (from the squeegee I guess). They are only apparent when the light is at the perfect angle, but it's just enough to piss me off. Any advice on how to detail the glass. I tried claying and waxing the windshield thinking they might be shallow enough that the wax would fill the scratches.. The situation improved, but not enough.. Here's my question, can the windshield be polished using a very non-abrasive abrasive? Such as Scratch-X, etc.? I am afraid if I am abrading that area, I could end up making cloudy splotches, which would be even more annoying than the few scratches... It'd be really nice if the windshield could be polished then sealed like the paintwork... If not, I guess I'll just have to live with it.. Just curious if anyone had some advice/experience on this.. Thanks ahead of time, J49 __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER. Last edited by Josh49; 10-16-2006 at 03:17 PM..
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10-16-2006, 02:56 PM	#2
Brunotheboxer Colonel 405 Rep 2,984 Posts Drives: 2014 Shelby GT500. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston/Cape Cod iTrader: (0)	you dont have to live with it. if all else fails just take a hammer to it and break it then your insurance will pay for a brand new one. i know this works in MA. but am not sure of other states' policy on windshield coverage. __________________ "...I maybe drunk, but you're ugly, and I can sober up..."
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10-17-2006, 08:05 AM	#4
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3986 Rep 10,664 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	I asked about this a year or two ago with my E46. Called around to all the auto glass / detailers. I couldn't find an product that'll do what you're looking for.
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10-17-2006, 08:38 AM	#5
ZuerstBMW ¡Viva España! 404 Rep 7,803 Posts Drives: 24 G20 330i Skyscraper Gray Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa, FL. iTrader: (68)	I used this on my other car and it worked great. http://cgi.ebay.com/Glass-Window-Scr...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ 24 G20 330i Skyscraper Gray Metallic Black, Open Pore Fine Wood Oak Grain Interior Trim MODS Clear Guard, 15% Ceramic Tint, Floating Caps
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10-17-2006, 10:34 AM	#6
Bimmer325 Major 90 Rep 1,167 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 325i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: MY iTrader: (1)	replacing a windshield is not a good move unless if you have big spider cracks as advised by the dealer. the work is huge to replace the windshield and they cant guarantee you a tight fit like the factory did. __________________ 325i Arctics M-Sport, Gray Leather with Alu Trim, ///M DCT Paddleshift, ///M Gear Knob, BBS LM-R 19", Michelin PS2, KW V2, H&R Anti Roll Bars, BMW Performance Air Intake System, 3D Front Lip, ACS Roof Spoiler, OEM Boot Spoiler, Osram 6000K, Brex White Ring, PIAA 6200K HID Fog, PIAA License Plate LED, BMS Powerbox
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10-17-2006, 11:27 AM	#9
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 152 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	sorry to hear, Josh, I'd advise you to live with it instead of replacing it, for reasons that others have already pointed out. __________________
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10-17-2006, 01:35 PM	#12
uhaulball Brigadier General 203 Rep 4,163 Posts Drives: e90 330xi Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (11)	My dad had his windhshield replaced because of several large rockchips and cracks. Auto sensing windshield wipers never worked the same again: DONT SMASH THE WINDSHEILD :O __________________ '06 bsm e90 330xi : 18" VMR CSL : KW V3 : GruppeM Rep Intake : UUC/Corsa Catback : Hartge Lip : ACS Roof Spoiler OEM CF Trunk Spoiler : CF Emblems. Pillars. Mirror. Grille : LUXER12 led plate : V1 Hardwired : OG.longtran e90post sticker! circa 2005
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10-17-2006, 01:50 PM	#13
txusa03 Major General 602 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	I seldom use gas station windshield cleaner. If you looked closely at the bin where the squeezie is store, there are plenty of sands/pebbles/debris in that water.
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10-18-2006, 04:06 PM	#18
bimmernotbeamer Lieutenant 28 Rep 581 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	Polishing glass is next to impossible. Glass is much harder than paint. In order to polish out scratches you will need a rotary polisher, agressive pad (most likely wool) and a glass specific polish. Even with all these things there is a fair chance of not polishing evenly and distorting the glass, which would mean that you will have to replace it for sure. Just learn to live with the scratches. I've accumulated enough on my e36 from the wipers alone. It's just one of those things.
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10-23-2006, 08:20 PM	#20
Josh49 Major General 266 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	Thanks picus and David for the responses. Your responses are identical to the thoughts I was having on this topic.. Live with it it is... "It" happens, I guess... __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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10-23-2006, 08:33 PM	#21
shimshimhada Brigadier General 502 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)	I was waiting for either David or Kevin to respond. I was wondering if you could heat up the glass enough to fix the imperfections and what not with a blowtorch. jk
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10-23-2006, 08:48 PM	#22
Josh49 Major General 266 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	Shim - One way to remove small fractures and imperfections in glass is to actually etch it with hydroflouric acid. By etching out these imperfections, the strength of the glass will increase. A lot. HF is some scary shit though.. definitely not something I have sitting in on my Zaino shelf... __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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