12-09-2012, 02:48 PM | #1 |
Lieutenant
45
Rep 472
Posts |
Surface Scratch on Windscreen
Just noticed I have an arc shaped surface scratch on my windscreen. I thought that it was just dirt but I can't clean it off. I must have got some very hard grit stuck under the wiper blade.
If I run my hand over the scratch area I can't feel it, so it's very fine. Night time driving you can't see it, but it's obvious in bright sunshine. Is there anyway to get this specially polished out? Or is it a replacement windscreen? |
12-09-2012, 03:58 PM | #2 |
SPEED RACER
376
Rep 740
Posts |
I have the same thing. It right at the edge of the wiper arc going from the right hand side to the left. I see it only in certain conditions and it pisses me off. I have found if you used some rain x on the windshield it does disappear sort of.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-09-2012, 05:22 PM | #3 | |
Private
5
Rep 91
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-09-2012, 06:53 PM | #4 |
New Member
5
Rep 24
Posts |
Literally just saw these an hour ago on my windshield in the places I cleaned off bird crap. A bunch of tiny little scratches. That was with the excrement soaked first and already having RainX on the windshield.
Would love to know any ways to fix them, preferably without a power rotor first. I've tried bug and tar remover and scrubbing bubbles. Helped a little bit but not great. I want to try some other options and then maybe see if more RainX helps. That way I'm not just removing the RainX I just put on. They spots are right in the line of sight too. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-10-2012, 04:29 AM | #5 |
Lieutenant
45
Rep 472
Posts |
Googling this question brings up lots or responses- but I'm still not comfortable applying polishing pastes/ chemical to a 3 month old car. Maybe I should take the car to a windscreen repair place for an opinion.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-10-2012, 04:46 AM | #6 |
Brigadier General
94
Rep 3,855
Posts |
You could always ask someone to throw a rock at it whilst you're not looking and then pay the Ł50 excess and get a new windscreen....
__________________
F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers |
Appreciate
0
|
12-11-2012, 01:24 PM | #7 |
Specialist
20
Rep 158
Posts |
First and foremost, some scratches can be polished out. Yes, there are DIY materials (and kits) available from various sources but IMHO, they're best for small/light scuffs.
Some marks, especially those caused by repetition - in particular, wipers - are not as straight forward as it might seem. In many cases, a lot of polishing will rid the glass of the finer scratches/scuffs leaving behind the deeper ones. Incorrect products/techniques/equipment can also lead to distortion in the glass. Glass Doctors get my vote every time for this kind of work and it is worth putting in a call to discuss it with them. I use them on a regular basis (for trade) and wouldn't think twice in using them for my own. You'll get an honest, no faffing about assessment/answer. I'm in the business of windscreen replacement services, but would definitely suggest against a replacement without giving some consideration to having the damage assessed by an acknowledged expert. Sometimes, it's not worth having a claim against your insurance history (NB: not NCD) which could potentially be avoided. Also, your call to your insurer after 'throwing a rock at it' will be diverted to their nominated supplier who will be keen to fit an aftermarket copy screen. Just who fits the glass is also a bit of a gamble. FYI - GD do cover the Berkshire area. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-11-2012, 03:33 PM | #8 | |
Lieutenant
45
Rep 472
Posts |
Quote:
Just noticed the local gritting truck driving past the car again- probably the source of the grit under the wiper. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-11-2012, 04:19 PM | #9 | |
25 years experience in glass resoration
0
Rep 4
Posts |
Glass Scratch Polishing
Quote:
From your description it does sound like it could be polished out and such damage is quite common this time of year. make sure you try not to park near a roof that has concrete tiles as heavy rain splashing down can take bits of grit and sand and lodge them down on the wiper ready to swipe straight across the screen the first time you use it which is usually when you are about to set off for work in the morning. We had the same thing with my wifes car recently which was really annoying but fixable. We billed it through the insurance and because it was classed as a repair then it did not attract an excess however increasingly most drivers are now trying not to load up their claims history unless absolutely necessary. Here is a pic of it: |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-11-2012, 04:34 PM | #10 | |
25 years experience in glass resoration
0
Rep 4
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-13-2012, 02:58 PM | #11 | |
New Member
5
Rep 24
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-13-2012, 04:50 PM | #12 | |
Lieutenant
45
Rep 472
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-13-2012, 10:19 PM | #13 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
352
Rep 1,684
Posts |
Quote:
Try to stay close to the scratch. You will be amazed when the scratch is gone. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-16-2012, 04:09 AM | #14 | ||
25 years experience in glass resoration
0
Rep 4
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
I get called to many jobs where people have tried to do it themselves and just made it worse, the 3M Trizact system is particularly hard to master even for a professional, ( I used to train people to use it ) Would you want to make your first trial-and-error job your own windscreen? and pay 25% of the job as well? With any appreciable depth of scratch it is essential to lose the depth of the scratch over a sufficiently wide area to avoid distortion in the local area of the scratch. The key to doing this type of job is using the finest grit but in the most aggressive way which is impossible without the assistance of a powered polisher that has an electronically governed speed to ensure the tip speed of the pad remains constsnt despite the load put on it. Most cheap polishers will simply bog when load is applied without this feature which will cause uneven removal of glass which will lead to distorsion. Your hand is even less controllable and definately more tiring. ( matron) |
||
Appreciate
0
|
12-16-2012, 04:15 AM | #15 | |
25 years experience in glass resoration
0
Rep 4
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-16-2012, 10:33 AM | #16 | |||
Lieutenant Colonel
352
Rep 1,684
Posts |
Quote:
|
|||
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|