Windshield Glass Polishing?

[retmil46]

Couple weeks ago, while I was having the cracked windshield in the Jeep replaced (courtesy of a TX dump truck), I had to drive the 87 300D to work for a couple days - leaving at 5:30 AM while it was still quite dark.

Apparetly the PO has went for some time without cleaning the windshield and/or replacing the wiper - as there are noticeable fine scratches throughout the length and width of the wiper's travel.

I didn't realize how bad this was until I had to drive this thing in the dark with oncoming traffic - all those scratches make the windshield act like a bloody fresnel lens, being in a half-circle pattern matching the wiper travel, magnifying and distorting the light from oncoming cars, such that almost the entire windshield is nothing but glare.

The scratches aren't deep enough to catch with your fingernail, so I'm thinking instead of having the windshield replaced, to try having the scratches polished out.

Has anyone had any experience with an auto glass company or service that actually does glass polishing, vice straight-out replacement?

[MS Fowler]

Polishing has to remove material down to the level of the bottom of the scratch. Thats a lot of material. The removal has to be even or you create a lens by the curvature of the surface.
I'd look into W/S replacement. In fact I am facing the same situation, and will be putting in a new W/S

[retmil46]

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

Polishing has to remove material down to the level of the bottom of the scratch. Thats a lot of material. The removal has to be even or you create a lens by the curvature of the surface.
I'd look into W/S replacement. In fact I am facing the same situation, and will be putting in a new W/S

Scratches aren't that deep - you can't catch them with your fingernail or a straight pin - just enough to be visible and a bloody annoyance.

Probably would boil down to price - cost of polishing most of the windshield vs replacement.

Just the thought of ending up with some cheap Chinese-made glass in an MB...

[Jim B.]

If you have comprehensive insurance on the vehicle, park it in the driveway.

I think it is time for your girlfriend to come around to your driveway around midnight with a BIG pumpkin

[ramonajim]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

If you have comprehensive insurance on the vehicle, park it in the driveway.

I think it is time for your girlfriend to come around to your driveway around midnight with a BIG pumpkin

And that, class, would be called "fraud" - look it up if you're still having trouble. Cheats and ne'er do wells driving up insurance rates for the lot of us.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by ramonajim

And that, class, would be called "fraud" - look it up if you're still having trouble. Cheats and ne'er do wells driving up insurance rates for the lot of us.

Oh yeah, excuse me, I forgot.

Auto insurance companies are such PARAGONS of fair dealing and honesty.

[retmil46]

Comprehensive - but $1000 deductible - so it's out of my pocket anyway - and no offense to Jim B., but while I share some of your disdain for insurance companies and their scam tactics, even if it was covered I'm not going to sink to THEIR level.

[ramonajim]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Oh yeah, excuse me, I forgot.

Auto insurance companies are such PARAGONS of fair dealing and honesty.

Two wrongs make a right, of course. They deserve it!

And for tonight's homework assignment, please review "integrity" and find a way to use it in a sentence.

Class dismissed.

[jplinville]

Junkyard replacements are cheap. i suggest getting one and having a local shop install it for around $75

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by ramonajim

Two wrongs make a right, of course. They deserve it!

And for tonight's homework assignment, please review "integrity" and find a way to use it in a sentence.

Class dismissed.

Ummmmmm.

Just a minute.

It's respectfully suggested that those arguments ought to be peddled in the hallways of your state and national legislatures, every one of which, are TEEMING with well paid insurance company lobbyists whose duty is essentially to bribe lawmakers into insuring Insurance companies get whatever they want. And YOUR policy premiums pay for it.

Standard auto insurance policies (for just one example here) now allow for replacement parts to be sourced from junkyards ---- or Communist China --- even on brand new cars. I personally found that out the hard way.

Why not go take a hard look at the policy especially the exclusions and limitations.


Then go look in Black's Law Dictionary for the term "Adhesion Contract".

[MTI]

Consumers that don't read the policy, get what they deserve. Yes, saving hundreds during the 15 minute phone call can end up costing hundreds as well, if you have a claim.

Jim, if you have an issue with policies, save your integrity and self esteem and do a self insured. I believe most, if not all states, have this option. Of course, one can effectively be "self insured" by taking the highest possible deductible offered, which should have an effect on premium.

[ramonajim]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Ummmmmm.

Just a minute.

It's respectfully suggested that those arguments ought to be peddled in the hallways of your state and national legislatures, every one of which, are TEEMING with well paid insurance company lobbyists whose duty is essentially to bribe lawmakers into insuring Insurance companies get whatever they want. And YOUR policy premiums pay for it.

Standard auto insurance policies (for just one example here) now allow for replacement parts to be sourced from junkyards ---- or Communist China --- even on brand new cars. I personally found that out the hard way.

Why not go take a hard look at the policy especially the exclusions and limitations.


Then go look in Black's Law Dictionary for the term "Adhesion Contract".

8th edition Black’s Law Dictionary tells me, a unilateral standardized contract is also a contract of adhesion if it is “prepared by one party, to be signed by the party in a weaker position, usually a consumer, who adheres to the contract with little choice about the terms."

So - don't like the terms? Pick a different insurance company (or negotiate terms you like and are willing to pay for) BEFORE you have a claim. Didn't bother to read the policy until you got "screwed" - your own fault. You agreed to the terms when you took the policy.

None of which addresses the simple fact that you suggested the OP commit insurance fraud. Whether you like insurance companies or not, it's still fraud. I may think a particular politician is a lying, cheating, douche bag of an excuse for a human being..... but if I steal from him (or her), I'm still stealing no matter how much I (or anyone else) thinks they "deserve" it.

That whole pesky "integrity" thing again.

[jaoneill]

Originally Posted by retmil46

Has anyone had any experience with an auto glass company or service that actually does glass polishing, vice straight-out replacement?

Haven't outsourced it but have done it several times myself. Sand on the roads in the winter here in the North Country pits the windshield unmercifully. They usually reach the state yours is in within 3-4 years; a nightmare to drive at night, especially in the rain.

A bottle of compound and 45 minutes of serious elbow grease makes a world of difference. Been a couple of years now since I've done one but I think I remember using a rainx product.

Good luck,
Jim

[duxthe1]

124 glass shouldn't be very expensive, given how many of those cars are on the road. In fact I'm probably gonna replace mine here as soon as the refund comes through.

[catmandoo62]

Originally Posted by retmil46

Comprehensive - but $1000 deductible -

you have got to be kiddin me.$1000 deductible.man i have full coverage on all my vehicle and $100 deductible.even on my old 92 chevy pickup with close to 600,000 miles.and it's been thru at least 4 windshields in the 9 yrs i've owned it and hit one deer.the cost difference between $1000 and $100 per year is made up and then some with every windshield replaced.i just do not understand why people think they are saving money by going cheap on insurance.