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4/08/2019 8:54 AM  #1


Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

So i have noticed that my 65's windshield is hard to see out of in the night, as it glares a lot (some part of this I know is because of the steep angle of the windshield) , but also during even light rain, it is hard to see out of..

If there are tiny scratches on the windshield from dust or something, is there a way to polish it out? What do yall recommend to make the windshield glass smoother, less reflective.. ?

I hope this post makes sense :D
 


If it aint broke, I have'nt tried to "Fix" it yet!
 

4/08/2019 9:09 AM  #2


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

Coupedaddy recently had his outlook on life greatly improved by replacing his windshield with a brand new tinted one.  It will make you think you are driving a new car.  I highly recommend this.  You can do it yourself for under $200.

Anything else just increases the price of your new windshield by the amount you wasted on the stuff.  You WILL eventually give up and just replace it.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

4/08/2019 9:40 AM  #3


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

MS wrote:

Coupedaddy recently had his outlook on life greatly improved by replacing his windshield with a brand new tinted one. It will make you think you are driving a new car. I highly recommend this. You can do it yourself for under $200.

Anything else just increases the price of your new windshield by the amount you wasted on the stuff. You WILL eventually give up and just replace it.

i had the windshield replaced recently (two years ago) cause the old one had cracks and chips.. was done by a reputable company through insurance..

I can look at the tinted ones.. . would be a pain to replace it again


If it aint broke, I have'nt tried to "Fix" it yet!
     Thread Starter
 

4/08/2019 5:25 PM  #4


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

QUESTION...........Did you put Rain-X on it at any time!? If so....that could be the issue.  I hate that stuff......Sure it works when rain hits it butt-chew pay for it with crumby  visibility.
Try wiping it down (several times) using acetone/LACQUER thinner/denatured alcohol.
IF that doesn't work....insure it with State Farm!(they replace windshields free if visibility is poor)
6s6


Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
 

4/08/2019 6:07 PM  #5


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

My son who worked in a detail shop at a Mercury dealer once told me that to clean up a windshield with small pits and haze, he would use a foam pad on a buffer with polishing compound like 3M Finesse-it. I know that the stuff works great on polishing my headlight covers on my 04 Jeep Grand Cherokee (my "spare tire" vehicle). I just did them last weekend and they look like new - but of course that is plastic and not glass. It's worth a try - if not then you can still get a new windshield.


68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
 

4/08/2019 8:39 PM  #6


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

Ok, so far we have spent money on Rain-X, acetone and polishing compound. And maybe a buffer.

Add that to the cost of the ultimate replacement cost of the glass.

Living in the Dallas area, driving on I-35 behind everyone else sure sand blasts a windshield in a hurry.  They would be pitted badly in a year.  Moving to a rural setting keeps them looking new!!


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

4/08/2019 8:57 PM  #7


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

I originally tried to polish out the windshield on my 65 FB, since it was original and no deep scratches.  I used a special glass polishing compound made for that and a buffer.  My conclusions are that if you just have a few small shallow scratches, it will work.  However, it's very time consuming.  I eventually gave up  because mine was too far gone and ordered a new one and installed it myself.


Cheap, Fast, Good:  Pick Any Two
 

4/08/2019 10:35 PM  #8


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?


1965 Notchback, 8.8 rear end, T-5, Diy Front Struts, Shelby Drop, Bumpsteer Kit
 

4/09/2019 7:33 PM  #9


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

MS wrote:

Ok, so far we have spent money on Rain-X, acetone and polishing compound. And maybe a buffer.

Add that to the cost of the ultimate replacement cost of the glass.

Living in the Dallas area, driving on I-35 behind everyone else sure sand blasts a windshield in a hurry. They would be pitted badly in a year. Moving to a rural setting keeps them looking new!!

Or, you can add all that to the cost of buying a home in the "suburbs" and the cost of moving there, furnishing the house, and the, of course, detached garage/shop....but at least your windshield will stay looking new longer! 
 


68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
 

4/09/2019 9:04 PM  #10


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

CW says if you can snag a fingernail in the scratch it will show distorted vision if polished out.
Eastwood makes  a kit for polishing glass.


Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
 

4/10/2019 4:05 AM  #11


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

I used the Eastwood kit 24 years ago before I reinstalled the glass in my '67.  I'm with MS on this one; don't bother.  Maybe a slight improvement, but by the time you realize it needs polishing its too far gone to polish IME. 

Replacing all the glass is something I'm working on now.  There are companies that can etch the date codes and logos into new glass if that is important to you.

Windshields, etc. are easy to get right, but vent windows are a royal PITA.  I've gone through a half dozen suppliers trying to get ones with the right curvature. 

 

4/10/2019 2:14 PM  #12


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

When I clean my windshield and I mean really clean my windshield I use Bar Keepers Friend or anything similar. Comet works great too!


Gary Zilik - Pine Junction, Colorado - 67 Coupe, 289-4V, T5
 

4/10/2019 10:39 PM  #13


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

RV6 wrote:

When I clean my windshield and I mean really clean my windshield I use Bar Keepers Friend or anything similar. Comet works great too!

I found that Bar Keepers Friend was the only thing that would easily remove rust stains from fiberglass boat hulls. I had tried all kinds of stuff and was told to try that. Rust stains were gone in seconds.
 


68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
 

4/12/2019 6:13 AM  #14


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

TKO, Virginia Classic had their lower priced glass on sale back in 14 when I was putting the Heap back together  and I took a chance on the complete set.   Every piece fit perfectly and other than a wave in the right door glass, I can detect no distortion.  No CarLite  labels but for a car that sees as much road as ours it seemed like a good way to go and so far has been.

BB


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

4/13/2019 5:30 AM  #15


Re: Windshield cleaning / polishing..?

I believe the only way to get real Carlite glass would be to track down used or NOS.  I can get the logos and date codes etched into any glass.  My issue was just the curvature on the vent window glass.  I'll give Virginia Classic Mustang a try.  Can't be any worse than the three other vendors I've already purchased from.  The worst is when they try to tell you that its fine and will work and you know it won't because how can it seal right if the curvature isn't right?  Then they say that its just how they're made, and I say, so 50 years ago they could make it right, but now they can't?  I just get so tired of the BS game with reproduction parts.  Anyway, thanks BB, and that's my tirade for the day...

 

Board footera


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