A Windshield Question

[Bogie]

I have noticed that when the lighting is at a certain level (typically when sun is low in morning or afternoon, and sometimes under certain street lighting) I can see hundreds (possible thousands) of glass defects in the windshield. It looks like the window has a bunch of dust all over it, but the surface is clean inside and out. There are no cracks. No pitting. The glass surface is smooth. Just imperfections (like little bubbles) refracting the light inside the glass.

Anyone else have this problem?

[Rob the Elder]

LOL

If you lived in Colorado you would be used to it. You start the year with a nice clear windshield and by the end of the year you have been through sand pitting, which is what you are describing, to gravel nicks to serious divets to the fatal crack that runs directly through your field of view.

[KentuckySky]

I noticed that too. I agree this happens "over time" but should it be this bad on a car that's less than a year old? I'm hoping it was just made like that. If not, by this time next year, we won't be able to see out the window without a booster seat so we can look out over the windshield.

[Celt03]

Car windshields are made of safety glass that is softer than normal glass - it is stronger but softer. They get dirty and are "sandblasted" from the dirt & pollutants that normal, everyday window/windshield cleaner cannot get off. This causes the dusty bubble look in certain light.
If you rub your hand over the windshield you can usually feel this "unseen" debris.

Now, everybody - it's time for another detailing trick lesson here :

Use Bon Ami cleanser (it is a gold canister & has a little duck on the front) - but only on the exterior, never the interior because the coating on the inside
of the windshield is different and it will damage it. Bon Ami will remove pollutants, grime, and rubber from the exterior of a windshield without scratching it. We do this about every 3 months on our daily drivers.
Now first you need to hose off your windshield and clean it like you normally would to remove the major dirt particles. Then you apply Bon Ami cleanser to a damp, non-scratching sponge and carefully clean the windshield by gently scrubbing it down thoroughly and evenly with the Bon Ami. You will need to clean & rinse out the sponge several times and reapply the Bon-Ami. Make sure to wipe off the residue before the product dries on the glass.
Rinse the windshield with clean water & check closely.
Then to finish it up - you can spray the windshield with white vinegar and wipe it down with a clean, dry rag or microfiber towel

Now this does not take care of severe water spotting - if anyone wants that info let me know.

*IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER : the inside of most windshields is layered with a softer film that may scratch if you attempt to use this method on the inside of the windshield, so this method should only be used for the OUTSIDE of the automotive windows.

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by Celt03

[font="Comic Sans MS"][size="3"][color="Navy"]

Now, everybody - it's time for another detailing trick lesson here :

Très bien Celt, je vais essayer Bon Ami, merci!

[Ruthie]

Thanks Celt!

I thought my defects might have been from a hail storm I got caught in - no damage to paint - I kinda hit the tail end of the storm (luckily!)

[Celt03]

Originally Posted by Bogie

Très bien Celt, je vais essayer Bon Ami, merci!

Originally Posted by Ruthie

Thanks Celt!
I thought my defects might have been from a hail storm I got caught in - no damged to paint - I kinda hit the tail end of the storm (luckily!)

You are very welcome.
I am more than glad to help when I can.

We have seen people who spent good money replacing windshields that just needed a good cleaning.
We & many others have had very good luck with this method.
Hubby & I use it on both of our daily drivers and also on our "toys".
It's just one of the many tricks picked up through the years we have spent rebuilding & restoring various cars and belonging to numerous car clubs.

Just remember that sometimes it may take more than one scrubbing if there is a significant build-up.

[SkyBaby]

wow... Thanks... I thought it was just tons of little chips.... SkyBaby

[JRinKY]

Celt03 : Car windshields are made of safety glass that is softer than normal glass - it is stronger but softer. ........

Not quite. There are two types of safety glass. The windshield is a laminate, two sheets of annealed (ie: normal) glass with a piece of special vinyl between them. The glass in a windshield is not special, it is the plastic inner layer that makes the difference. The side and back glass, are toughened, also known as tempered, glass. It is harder than "normal" glass as well as stronger. Some side glass is starting to be made as a laminate because it is quieter and more resistant to break-in.

[forkee]

sweet tip. we use bon ami in microbiology to clean the microscope slides at school. works really well so i can see it working on the windshield =)

[Bogie]

Quick Question...which one are we talking about?

Bon Ami Polishing Cleanser?

Or

Bon Ami Cleansing Powder?

[Forever Young]

Thanks so much for sharing. I hate it when my windshield doesn't look it's best!

[Celt03]

Originally Posted by Bogie

Quick Question...which one are we talking about?

Bon Ami Polishing Cleanser?

Or

Bon Ami Cleansing Powder?

Cleanser

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by Celt03

Cleanser

Have you ever thought about putting together a booklet or something with all your experience wrapped up?

[Celt03]

Originally Posted by Bogie

Have you ever thought about putting together a booklet or something with all your experience wrapped up?

Nope - would not even know what to put in - so much of it is just automatic to us now that we would not be able to think of what to put in one.
We just pass on the info we know when someone is looking for a solution.

[sworthit]

Originally Posted by Bogie

I have noticed that when the lighting is at a certain level (typically when sun is low in morning or afternoon, and sometimes under certain street lighting) I can see hundreds (possible thousands) of glass defects in the windshield. It looks like the window has a bunch of dust all over it, but the surface is clean inside and out. There are no cracks. No pitting. The glass surface is smooth. Just imperfections (like little bubbles) refracting the light inside the glass.

Anyone else have this problem?

C'est precisement le meme chose que je dis!--qu'est-ce que tes resultats avec Bon Ami?

Merci, Bogie--aussi, Celt

[GaryH]

Celt03, I'd like to know more about water spotting. Thanks

[Celt03]

Originally Posted by GaryH

Celt03, I'd like to know more about water spotting. Thanks

To get water spots off automotive glass:
The same method described above using the Bon Ami works great.

To get water spots off the paint - use a fine polishing compound & then keep LOTS of wax on the car to prevent a recurrence.
If any water spots form on the waxed surface they can easily be waxed out.

[dipolley]

I have had the car for 5 months now and I am on windshield #2. I have the same issue. And Rob has it right, just a fact in Colorado. LOL. Regardless of the car.

[darrylba]

Originally Posted by Celt03

Car windshields are made of safety glass that is softer than normal glass - it is stronger but softer. They get dirty and are "sandblasted" from the dirt & pollutants that normal, everyday window/windshield cleaner cannot get off. This causes the dusty bubble look in certain light.
If you rub your hand over the windshield you can usually feel this "unseen" debris.

Now, everybody - it's time for another detailing trick lesson here :

Use Bon Ami cleanser (it is a gold canister & has a little duck on the front) - but only on the exterior, never the interior because the coating on the inside
of the windshield is different and it will damage it. Bon Ami will remove pollutants, grime, and rubber from the exterior of a windshield without scratching it. We do this about every 3 months on our daily drivers.
Now first you need to hose off your windshield and clean it like you normally would to remove the major dirt particles. Then you apply Bon Ami cleanser to a damp, non-scratching sponge and carefully clean the windshield by gently scrubbing it down thoroughly and evenly with the Bon Ami. You will need to clean & rinse out the sponge several times and reapply the Bon-Ami. Make sure to wipe off the residue before the product dries on the glass.
Rinse the windshield with clean water & check closely.
Then to finish it up - you can spray the windshield with white vinegar and wipe it down with a clean, dry rag or microfiber towel

Now this does not take care of severe water spotting - if anyone wants that info let me know.

*IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER : the inside of most windshields is layered with a softer film that may scratch if you attempt to use this method on the inside of the windshield, so this method should only be used for the OUTSIDE of the automotive windows.

Go ahead, talk about the water spots.

db