Permanently Streaked Windshield? Help?

[iSaint]

I recently purchased a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder. The windshield is streaked beyond belief. It's only where the windshield wipers track, but the damage covers that entire area! It's as if the previous owners never changed the wipers. I also believe they used RainX.

So does anyone here have any experience with removing/polishing/buffing this type of damage? I talked to a windshield repair shop, and the guy told me to buff it hard with a machine and polishing compound. What do you guys think?

Thanks.

 

[iGav]

Doesn't your insurance policy cover replacing a damaged windscreen without cost to you or affecting your no claims bonus (or whatever equivalent you guys have)?

Time to throw a pebble me thinks. *nudge nudge*

 

[furious]

try metho and newspaper.

If that fails maybe you might need to look at a professional solution.

 

[iSaint]

Doesn't your insurance policy cover replacing a damaged windscreen without cost to you or affecting your no claims bonus (or whatever equivalent you guys have)?

Time to throw a pebble me thinks. *nudge nudge*

I just bought it so I don't know if they'll cover it, but I'm still considering it. I did find a small crack in it.

try metho and newspaper.

If that fails maybe you might need to look at a professional solution.

Thanks, will do.

 

[iGav]

I did find a small crack in it.

Perfect then you shouldn't have a problem.

The newspaper solution may work, though it's not as an effective solution at cleaning windows as it once was, because of the change in inks.

You could also try cleaning it with white vinegar.

Are they just streaks/marks not scratches? You mention that the original owner may have used Rain-X? Rain-X themselves also manufacture a viciously effective glass cleaner (one specially formulated to clean traffic film residues etc etc) that might make it all buff again.

If the damage consists of surface scratches, nothing other than a vigorous buffing with glass compound is going to remedy the damage.

 

[iSaint]

They are most definitely scratches. The windshield repair shop I visited cleaned it with mineral spirits, then rubbing compound, but the entirety of the wiper track is still very streaked/scratched. I think I'm going to have to get a buffer and polish like you suggest.

 

[RugoseCone]

I had this problem on my car and finally convinced the dealership it was a warranty issue. Big mistake. The goofballs they brought in to "buff-out" the scratches created too much heat and caused the windshield glass to delaminate. Then the jerks tried to tell me it always looked that way and I just never noticed it.

Ultimately I ended up taking all my business to another dealership, but it was months before I would get the windshield replaced under warranty.

My advice, just replace the glass, don't waste your time trying to buff it out.

 

[Tankgunk]

...I also believe they used RainX...

I think that might be your problem. RainX + Wipers = Streaks. Before you do anything else, I'd try and get some RainX off (if it's even possible). As for how to get it off, good luck. Might try google... Anyway, if it is the glass, either replace it. If you can get it under warranty that try that.

Oops, is scratches. Sorry, I let this post sit half done for a long time and didn't check back. Anyway, between the scratches and the crack, I'd just replace it.

 

[ErikCLDR]

Probably best just to buy a new windshield or make some fraudulent insurance claim.

I hate RainX with a passion, horrible horrible cleaning product. Your windows look fine after cleaning with it, but once there is some moisture on the windshield you can see every wipe mark you've ever made.

If its scratched I don't think you can do much about it.