Windshield Glass -- foggy

[JEFF]

My 1972 240z has the original windshield in it. When the sun shines

it looks cloudy. I think it is sand/dirt pitted. Has anyone used the

windshield polishing kit from Eastwood ? Or any other polish for that matter.

- Jeff

[TomoHawk]

the one on my 280Z has a LOT of glare at night or driving with a low sun. I assume the Florida air had "sandblasted" it that way, so I either have to get it coated or polished.

thx

[EScanlon]

I spoke to a windshield glass repair business owner recently when we had my wife's Subaru repaired. I asked him specifically about polishing rhe windshield on the new Z and he said it would be cheaper to replace the windshield.

Since I had figured that they were NLA, I asked him for a guesstimate. It turns out that the glass is still relatively easy to obtain, it is the gasket that will affect the price dramatically.

As far as polishing, he recommends that it only be done by a true professional, and only if a replacement cannot be found.

FWIW

Enrique

[TomoHawk]

I would agree with Enrique that you don't want to grind your glass any thinner, to preserve its strength.

Isn't there some kind of coating, like you put on your eyeglasses, to fill the (micro) pits? I might try an experiment, to skin on a very thin layer of clear polyurethane.

thx

[JEFF]

I have two new windshield rubbers.... I have not checked on glass

prices localy. The reason I'm asking is that I saw a glass polishing kit

on Eastwood's web site for $39.00 or close to it. I do have access to

a 1500 rpm polisher at my dad's body shop to do it with, but wanted to

know if I was going to waste my time/money. any thoughts?

- Jeff

[mriz]

When polishing any type of glass Heat is the thing to worry about, A windshield is 2 pieces of .125 glass laminated together. I does not take much to generate enough heat to crack it. IMHO.

[Bambikiller240]

I do have access to

a 1500 rpm polisher at my dad's body shop to do it with, but wanted to

know if I was going to waste my time/money. any thoughts?

- Jeff

See EScanlon's post above. 'Nuff Said.

[beandip]

My '73s windshield had a milky look around the edge and was told that it is moisture that is getting in between the sheets of glass. I have had this happen before on old cars. Once this starts there is no cure. Gary

[MikeW]

When I had my car repainted recently I decided to replace the windshield at the same time. I ordered an after market (PPG) replacement locally for under $200 and took it to the paint shop. Since all of the glass was out already it seemed like a good thing to do. Unfortunately the new windshield cracked when trying to install it. When placed on top of the OEM windshield it was noticeably thinner and had a slightly different curvature which is why it cracked when trying to install it.

I have since reverted to the original windshield which had deep scratches from a previous owner running the wipers with no blades. I've used the Eastwood kit to completely remove the scratches but it needs some more work as there's a bit of fog in places. Also, because the scratches were so deep there's now a bit of distortion. It took hours and hours of polishing and makes quite a mess. You also have to wear a proper mask as the rhodium power is very dangerous to breathe.

At this point I may just have one of the mobile installers come out and replace it. As long as they don't break the original getting it out they can break all of the replacements they want as it would be their problem.

[Bambikiller240]

MikeW:

I don't know about the "mobile installers" in your area, but out here they don't do the R & R the old fashion way, They cut your gasket in half, remove the old glass, lay in the new windsheild into the opening, and then apply tons of sealant and lay the top of the gasket onto the car. It's a really horrible way to repair a windshield. I mention this as a warning to make sure you know "HOW" they will effect the replacement before you let them touch your car.

[JEFF]

MikeW:

They cut your gasket in half, remove the old glass, lay in the new windsheild into the opening, and then apply tons of sealant and lay the top of the gasket onto the car.QUOTE]

WOW I would never have dreamed that would be done !! Thanks Carl.

- Jeff

[Bambikiller240]

I know. My eyes bugged out of their sockets when I saw what the guy had done to my truck windshield gasket. It was too late for me to stop him as the damage had already been done. No replacement gasket available in his truck and me 50 miles from home (at work). Driving home without a windshield would have been insane.

I don't know if all of the glass replacement companies do this, but I know I'll be inquiring (and demanding proper work) before a finger gets laid on any vehicle of mine again.