Is our glass soft???
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: Is our C5 glass soft??? (Paul R)
Paul may be on to something with his comment about the non-square nose on our cars, and of course the fact that we are closer to the ground. My w/s was replaced with pitting after only 20K miles (comprehensive insurance). A HUD windshield will run about $2,000 installed. Make sure they do it right, I had a water leak at the sides that only showed up when I DROVE in the rain, parking in rain did not leak.
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 127
Likes: 1
From: Yorba Linda, CA,,,USA
Re: Is our C5 glass soft??? (Gearhead Jim)
I was told that the glass on a HUD equipped C5 is a softer glass than one without HUD. I also noticed that the Windshield on a HUD equipped C5 is marked on the lower passenger side corner. Just wondering if everyone experiencing this has HUD?
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Ktown IN
Re: Is our C5 glass soft??? (Jamn)
Hud here with 16K miles, windshield looks like it was sand blasted. Just another GM quality issue. My 2K GMC PU (sticker $$35K) windshield is about the same at 33K miles. Isn't it wonderful what we get from the General for $55K and $35K. First rate quality :U :mad
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Re: Is our C5 glass soft??? (potent45acp)
Glad to see I'm not the only one with this problem, (misery loves company :lol: ). I am going to keep an eye on it and have it replaced before the warranty is up. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,913
Likes: 1,866
From: Hot Springs AR
Re: Is our C5 glass soft??? (Scruffy)
Well, I don't think it's just a GM issue. Admittedly, all of my cars are high mileage, but as an example, I had a wiper blade fail on me during a rainshower and the metal part of the wiper scratched the surface of that car ('94 Z-28) in two sweeps. I've got wiper sweep etchings, sandblasting, pitting, etc. on my '96 Ford Crown Vic. Ditto my old '87 Honda CRX (back when I had it).
IMO, the rake of the glass will aggravate this problem, because the particles hitting the glass stay in contact with it for a longer period of time, causing a "scratch" that's more visible in low sunlight conditions. A steeply raked glass (i.e. a truck) will tend to pit more, which is deeper but may not be as visible.
Since I haven't found a polishing process that I'm comfortable with, I just live with it.
Hope this helps,
Mike
[Modified by VetteDrmr, 3:30 PM 8/14/2002]
IMO, the rake of the glass will aggravate this problem, because the particles hitting the glass stay in contact with it for a longer period of time, causing a "scratch" that's more visible in low sunlight conditions. A steeply raked glass (i.e. a truck) will tend to pit more, which is deeper but may not be as visible.
Since I haven't found a polishing process that I'm comfortable with, I just live with it.
Hope this helps,
Mike
[Modified by VetteDrmr, 3:30 PM 8/14/2002]
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 516
Likes: 26
From: Wichita Falls TX
Re: Is our C5 glass soft??? (Scruffy)
If you guys will get the mfg of the windshield (PPG or LOF), I'll call my glass rep and ask if there is an issue with the C5 windshield.
Ross Little
Binswanger Glass
Wichita Falls, TX
Ross Little
Binswanger Glass
Wichita Falls, TX
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln CA
Re: Is our C5 glass soft??? (RossGN)
I am right there with you! I have a 2000 with 22,000 miles on it. I have the same thing going on. The Zaino glass cleaner took a little bit off. But it is quiet noticable when the sun hit the windshield just right.
[Modified by LINDC5, 4:38 AM 8/15/2002]
[Modified by LINDC5, 4:38 AM 8/15/2002]
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Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,765
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
lass restoration may be the better answer on glass that is just scratched or has mild pitting. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66SXM...g&feature=plcp to see how I have been restoring glass. And, as I have experienced, some glass is much softer (EASIER TO SCRATCH, AND EASIER TO RESTORE) than other glass.
Barry Barbas
Barry Barbas
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,170
From: Dyer, IN
There is one common problem, and reason why avoiding replacement should be considered. Back when glass was put in with rubber gaskets, it was not a structural element of the car. That is not true today. The glass is glue bonded down. The structural integrity of the cabin is considered with glass in place (at least the laminated glass). Also, I have seen many leaking windshields after a replacement. There is a challenge of getting a complete seal on a replacement job, and about 75% do not leak. I was one of the 25%. The glass was cracked, so I had no real choice but to replace it. Glass restoration may be the better answer on glass that is just scratched or has mild pitting. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66SXM...g&feature=plcp to see how I have been restoring glass. And, as I have experienced, some glass is much softer (EASIER TO SCRATCH, AND EASIER TO RESTORE) than other glass.
Barry Barbas
Barry Barbas
IBTL.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,765
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
There are good glass polishing people spread around the country. And some not so good ones. I might be able to get a name and number of someone near you. We are in the process of getting networked with some glass guys so that we can handle big jobs nation wide. When we are not doing big jobs, we are on the small ones. I am meeting with Innovative Polishing Systems on Wednesday. All the guys we network with must have proper training. You can send your info to me at Glassrestoration@gmail.com, and I can see what I can do.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 326
Likes: 23
From: Ohio
My Vette had the same problem when I bought it at 22,000 miles. However, my 300ZX which I have owned for 26 years and 127,000 miles does not have any pits, sparkles, etc. It's windshield is about the same height and angle as the Vette's. So I assume that the Vette's windshield glass must be softer.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Baldwin Park Ca
mine has 106k but i noticed that the windshield was very pitted, especially some pits that i would imagine would crack the glass instead of a pit. i will try to get it fixed from a glass shop later
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Indian shores Florida
I just bought a 2003 Z06. 86K miles and several previous owners. When the car arrived I told my wife the windshield looks like someone sandblasted it. Very interesting that this seems to be a problem for many.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
My Frc has the pitting and I always assumed that it was due to the fact it was delivered to Wisconsin when new and I understand that abrasives are used on the roads and the residue left on the surface of the roadway get kicked up and "sandblast" windshields, mirrors ect. But the issue seems to be so widespread that my first assumption mat not be totally correct.