Exterior windshield scratches from cleaning.....anyone have them or ever see them??

bubba263 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 09:51 PM

Anyone have scratches on the outside of their windshield? I took a trip to South Padre this Spring. Ran into what we call "love bugs" here in the South. Literally had hundreds of them smashed on the front of my truck when I got home. Cleaned them off over several days using a few different bug and tar removers and a soft sponge from the body, grill and side mirrors. Got aggressive on the front windshield....figured it's glass....no clear coat/thin paint or chrome to worry about scratching. Used bug/tar remover, the green plastic pot scrubber side of a standard kitchen sponge and some elbow grease. Scratched the crap out of my windshied in places where I scrubbed it hard. Even have long flowing scratches from broad sweeping motions.

Any ideas what is up with this? Any ideas how to fix it? I've done this for years and never damaged a windshield. Do we have some type of anti-glare film on the windshield or something?

I am totally bummed!

JimS5.7 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 11:07 PM

I have scratches from the squeegies at gas stations. The glass seems rather "soft". Also, scratches from the ice remover I have, and it is plastic!

Burger Steak & Eggs · #3 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 11:43 PM

There is glass specific polishing compound available. It takes quite a bit of work even with a buffer to get the scratches out, plus it makes quite a mess from all the compound being flung around, but it works. Try an automotive glass shop to find some.

OntheRox · #4 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 11:46 PM

i have a prety annoying scratch on mine...appears to be from something hung up on the wiper it is a half moon shape about 5-6 inches long...only really evident with sun glare

Tundraman10 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 02:55 PM

I have scratches on my windows from using the ice scrapper in the winter time. I like to use razor blades with window cleaner on the front windshield to remove bugs but I have scratched the wind shield a couple of times by accident putting too much pressure on the razor blade. Then again the windshield was a aftermarket replacement when the original one crack when a stone off a big Semi truck smacked into it.

bubba263 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 06:28 PM

If I can't find a solution to the scratches it looks like I might catch a nasty hammer....er...uhhh.....rock in the windshield in one of the local constructon zones. A good ding in the glass and a hot Houston summer should do the trick to get that windshield to crack enough to get a replacement for my deductible!!!

Brandon1 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 07:13 PM

A new windshield aint but $180, my deductable was $500 lol