Windshield covered in scratched haze from mud, can i fix?

chris_lee · 09-24-2006, 09:08 PM

Well, i was driving on a trail when mud splashed all over my windshield and I had to hit the wipers. Now the entire thing is covered in scratches making a horrible haze. How do you guys go offroading and not destory your truck? Can i polish this out?

kartman · 09-24-2006, 09:11 PM

I have had it look scratched but after washing the window its fine. It takes alot to scratch glass, you sure it scratched and not just still dirty?

**Carbeaux** · 09-24-2006, 09:24 PM

I could see you scratching it over an extended period of time, but just once? I've not had that happen in any of my trucks. If it did, you might be able to polish it back using the same materials used for lexan or plexiglass windows. Here's a link which might be helpful: http://www.griotsgarage.com Look for glass polish.

chris_lee · 09-24-2006, 09:25 PM

I have cleaned the crap out of it... The damn thing is MINT! but you can see the exact path of the wipers still. Almost like I replaced the wipers with super fine sand paper for 5 min and turned them on. Mud covered the winshield and I turned them on for like 5 wipes total and BAM, now it looks like total $hit!!!

chris_lee · 09-24-2006, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbeaux

I could see you scratching it over an extended period of time, but just once? I've not had that happen in any of my trucks. If it did, you might be able to polish it back using the same materials used for lexan or plexiglass windows.

plexiglass is so soft though.. Do you think it would work on glass. Would I be able to do this by hand. I have searched my *** off and for some reason it seams i am the only person on earth this has happened to. The dirt was pretty sandy so i guess it possible that those few wipes did the glass in. At night you see huge halos around every light. Head lights look like the freaking sun coming at you...

TIsTAN · 09-24-2006, 10:32 PM

try bon ami. according to the company specified uses, it cleans glass baking dishes without scratching and as such, people have been using it to thoroughly clean windshields. otherwise you can try automotive specific glass products like 1 grand and no touch. i've used no touch on windshhields ever so often and it doesn't scratch.

http://topoftheline.com/glasspolish.html

http://www.permatex.com/products/aut...s_Stripper.htm

chris_lee · 09-24-2006, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIsTAN

try bon ami. according to the company specified uses, it cleans glass baking dishes without scratching and as such, people have been using it to thoroughly clean windshields. otherwise you can try automotive specific glass products like 1 grand and no touch. i've used no touch on windshhields ever so often and it doesn't scratch.

Thanks for the help, I will check em out.

Dr_Combustion · 09-25-2006, 05:56 AM

You are going to have to use something abrasive (that scratches) in order to remove the existing scratches. Automotive rubbing and polishing compounds will work. You will need an elecric or air buffer. Use the least abrasive compound first; if it does not remove the scratches, then go one step more abrasive, then re-polish. Work in a small area and use plenty of water as a lubricant. It will make a mess, but it will work. If you don't want to do it, then automotive glass shops will. Good luck.

chris_lee · 09-25-2006, 08:28 AM

Is this pretty normal to happen or did I do something wrong. How do you guys that get in the mud keed your windshild from looking like crap at night. You only really notice the scratch haze at night, when looking at lights and stuff.

Dr_Combustion · 09-25-2006, 08:40 AM

I've heard that our windshields are prone to damage, but I have not played in the mud yet.

Steamguy · 09-25-2006, 01:44 PM

Use Bon Ami on it. It'll work.

I had a '75 620 Pickup that I was driving to/from work during the times when Mount St. Helens was going off. The window on that thing sure got abused in the same way you're talking about. I had to polish it out a couple of times after I was stupid enough to just hit the wipers without thinking about it.

I still remember chuckling at the radio station my wife listened to over in Portland... they were like OMG-OMG-OMG!! We've got 1/32" of dust!! And it's everywhere!!! This is SOOOO BAD!!!
...And here we had SIX to EIGHT INCHES of the stuff on everything. I went through at least half a dozen air filters; which reminds me:

Make sure to check your air filter, also. If you've had that kind of stuff on the outside of the truck, it was trying to get inside, too.

Hope this helps.

chris_lee · 09-25-2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steamguy

Use Bon Ami on it. It'll work.

I had a '75 620 Pickup that I was driving to/from work during the times when Mount St. Helens was going off. The window on that thing sure got abused in the same way you're talking about. I had to polish it out a couple of times after I was stupid enough to just hit the wipers without thinking about it.

I still remember chuckling at the radio station my wife listened to over in Portland... they were like OMG-OMG-OMG!! We've got 1/32" of dust!! And it's everywhere!!! This is SOOOO BAD!!!
...And here we had SIX to EIGHT INCHES of the stuff on everything. I went through at least half a dozen air filters; which reminds me:

Make sure to check your air filter, also. If you've had that kind of stuff on the outside of the truck, it was trying to get inside, too.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the tip man... How long did it take to buff out? Did it look brand new again or just better? I have just been reading about water getting in the intake... I am going to go home a check it out 4 sure.

MDJamesD · 09-25-2006, 08:26 PM

you can always try crumpled newspaper and a little bit of vinegar. Sounds crazy but it cleans the hell out of them, might not hurt to get all of the cr@p off of it first.

Steamguy · 09-27-2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_lee

Thanks for the tip man... How long did it take to buff out? Did it look brand new again or just better? I have just been reading about water getting in the intake... I am going to go home a check it out 4 sure.

Like MD says, make sure the window's CLEAN first.

As I recall, it took a while. It is one of those things that when you're done, well, you're FINALLY done. As I recall it took an hour or so to do. But just have patience and go slow. Don't try to do it all at once. If you have short legs like I do, get a sturdy stepstool to get your waist even with the bottom of the glass.

Oh, and a cold beverage to help pass the time...