Glass Scratches

My windshield has nasty lines/scratches from the original owner not changing the wipers. They feel etched into the windshield... any ideas or any products to buff this out or get rid of the scratches? thanks.
-alex

i had the same thing on my car...I asked a glass specialist at my job...hes been replacing windshields for over 30 years....he said just leave it alone...they sell some kind of wax for it but it will just make it seem as if your looking through some high prescription glasses.

Originally Posted by Custom3

i had the same thing on my car...I asked a glass specialist at my job...hes been replacing windshields for over 30 years....he said just leave it alone...they sell some kind of wax for it but it will just make it seem as if your looking through some high prescription glasses.

well shiet...lol that kind of sucks. stupid people not knowing how to replace windshield wipers... thanks for the help tho dude.

-alex

I just assumed that was from normal wear and tear. How often to replace wipers? Right now Texas doesn't really need windshield wipers given that it hasn't rained since the 12th of never.

Originally Posted by kmorris_330

I just assumed that was from normal wear and tear. How often to replace wipers? Right now Texas doesn't really need windshield wipers given that it hasn't rained since the 12th of never.

are you asking how long "should" you replace your wipers? OEM last about 6-8mo. while nice aftermarkets like PIAA's last for a solid year. I just bought this car a month ago so I have know idea how often she changed them, but obviously not often enough.

There are lines about a half-inch apart from eachother etched into the glass on the drivers side....not too happy about it. I just bought new PIAA's from BavAuto which are 100 x's better; but the lines remain there.

I am in the bay area, cali w/ excess amounts of rain right now so the new wipers are doing their job, its just difficult to see out the window with the lines.

-alex

Originally Posted by killswitch

are you asking how long "should" you replace your wipers? OEM last about 6-8mo. while nice aftermarkets like PIAA's last for a solid year. I just bought this car a month ago so I have know idea how often she changed them, but obviously not often enough.

There are lines about a half-inch apart from eachother etched into the glass on the drivers side....not too happy about it. I just bought new PIAA's from BavAuto which are 100 x's better; but the lines remain there.

I am in the bay area, cali w/ excess amounts of rain right now so the new wipers are doing their job, its just difficult to see out the window with the lines.

-alex

Man, then I am way overdue. I don't think I've changed the wipers since I bought my car. By the same token I rarely use them.

yeah they sell glass buffing kits JC whitney has one.

but if you got good coverage just get a new window

This won't fix your scratches but we sell a kit that deep cleans the glass and then also has a rain repellent. The Glass Scrub does a great job of removing bonded contaminates on the whindshield and deposits stuck in the pores of the glass. The Rain Clear Gel does an amazing job of forcing moisture to bead up and just roll off the windshield. I'm amazed on how well it improves visibility in rain, sleet, snow. It works great for about two months and will still work for about 2 - 4 months past that depending on how much you have your windshield wipers on. The best part is the Rain Clear Kit is only $5.99 and a little bit goes a long way.

Greg @ Detailed Image

Thanx Greg for the help, I actually already have that stuff and it does work GREAT. My scratches are just too deep for it to make any kind of noticable difference. I am dreading looking into a new windshield, but I guess thats probably the only option. thanks again.

-alex

a new windsheild isnt that much. E46s wholesale installed with PPG was about 150 Retail around 220

Originally Posted by killswitch

My windshield has nasty lines/scratches from the original owner not changing the wipers. They feel etched into the windshield... any ideas or any products to buff this out or get rid of the scratches? thanks.
-alex

hey alex. i run 2 glass factories in the philippines, and i thought i might be able to help a bit. the guy who told you about that "special wax" was right. usually, rubbing compounds are abrasive or acidic substances that grind into or eat into the glass surface. the most effective method is an industrial chemical called cerium oxide. it comes in a fine, pink-ish powder that is used in glass processing. you can mix with a bit of water and use it to buff the scratches and stains off glass. it's highly abrasive, and actually grinds into the glass, creating a bit of a wave, leading to that prescription-lens like effect. i use it in very controlled doses to clean water marks off the glass in my car, but it should be handled very carefully to avoid overdoing it. for light scratches, it's alright to use, as long as you know what you're doing. they dont usually sell this commercially, but maybe your glass specialist friend can help you. good luck!

If you are an adventurer and want to give it a shot, you can get cerium oxide from telescope supply companies. Here is one link: http://www.gotgrit.com/default.php/c...6efc2e1ef019bb

But take baruski's advise and use with care.

Originally Posted by TamBmr

If you are an adventurer and want to give it a shot, you can get cerium oxide from telescope supply companies. Here is one link: http://www.gotgrit.com/default.php/c...6efc2e1ef019bb

But take baruski's advise and use with care.

Hey thanks dude, I also live in San Rafael. welcome to the board.

Cool! Small world! And I thought there were no other Bimmers around here.