Silverwolf_pup

Has anyone here had to replace their rear glass? my glass is still intact, but has damage, it has real bad streaky scratches, and water spots that will not come off, when in the sun light the glass looks terrible. My question is when I decide to replace it, what all do they have to do? Can they use old seals, or do they put new seals on it, and how much am I looking at? Any concerns with replacing rear glass? Thanks

Rob 02

It should polish out.

Silverwolf_pup

I have tried that, it will not come off.

Choreo

Dealership replaced my rear hatch under warranty which involved them swapping out my glass to the new hatch. They subbed out the glass removal/installation to a local glass specialist. I watched them do most of the procedure. They reused the previous seal.

Only thing is to make sure they get the gap on the replacement around the perimeter consistent and the sealant has to sit for a day or so before driving the car. Since it is the rear window, all that holds it in under wind pressure when the windows are down, AC on, etc. is that sealant - so it had to have time to fully cure before pressuring the interior or driving with vibrations and the like.

The Chev

On a 15 year old car, replace the seals.

Rubber, I hate/love that stuff.

Rob 02

I see complete hatches for sale all the time on Craigslist and eBay for ~$350. Finding the right color is a bit of a crap shoot.

I still don't get why the glass is blotchy. I though it sounded like wax or chemical build-up on the glass. Maybe it is window tint delaminating.

duramaxsky

A power buffer and compound should remove what ever is on there. Even scratches can be buffed out. I would prefer that to replacing glass that is not leaking.

Vanover

I use hand cleaner on my glass to remove build up.(the smooth stuff,not the gritty stuff). Use a squirt bottle with water and a clean rag. That will remove all the water spots and residue. So of the scratch marks could be smeard build up. I would try that first.

The Chev

Also 0000 fine steel wool is fantastic for cleaning off hard water stains.

It won't do much for scratches, but would be my first step before trying to polish glass.

Evil-Twin

I have 15,000, 30,000 and 50,000 grit diamond paste to remove scratches from glass. but its purpose is to put a mirror finish on my knife edges.

3sACROWD

How big are the "water" spots? If they are about the size of a quarter and spread all across the glass, it is because of the type of glass. Tempered glass often has that appearance.

If the spots are smaller, more random, and appear to be on the surface, you can likely polish those out. The 0000 steel wool and Invisible Glass in the aerosol can would likely work.

Silverwolf_pup

Where can I get 0000 steel wool at, would any local auto shop stores carry it?

3sACROWD

Go to the paint department at Lowe's, Home Depot etc. You will find it near the sand paper. I believe the 0000 is the finest you can get.

Choreo

Can you "feel" the spots?

Silverwolf_pup

I can't recall touching the spots