spinalator

My wiper blade shifted off the wiper arm and scratched the windshield. There is a half moon circular scratch along the entire path of the wiper arm on the driver's side. The scratch is etched in and can be felt by running a fingernail over it. Is this something that can be polished out or does the windshield have to be replaced???

okie08vette

I think it can be polished out if not to deep, just be careful that the polishing does not cause distoration. I have some nick's all over my windshield, kind of like it was sand blasted so I am looking at the same thing. Let me know if you find someone that will do it.

spinalator

I've been callling around locally, but most places thus far want to replace the windshield for "sefety" reasons. Yea, sure... And that's without even looking at the glass...

weathermaker

Take it to a glass place and have them look at it. There are products out there but to get it optically perfect could be difficult.

m48xhp

me too.

Larry/car

If you can feel it with your finger nail, you will have no other choice but to replace. I polished my windshield that had a wiper scratch mark that you couldn't feel with your finger nail. Took hours to remove, but finally got it out. With a power polisher I am afraid there would be some optical compromise.

Mad*Max

One of my other cars has the same thing as the OP and I showed it to a glass repair guy and he said that he can't do anything about it.

gunterwalker

Sorry to hear about that. Maybe your insurance will take care of it. I bet you will have to replace but get it looked at first.

Top_Fuel

You might consider Eastwood's Polishing Kit for Deep Scratches. I think there may be some videos demonstrating this type of product on YouTube.

On second thought, I just read this which makes me think it will take an experienced pro to make it look perfect again.

spinalator

Maybe I should just have a rock hit the window, then I know it will be replaced???

AORoads

just an opinion, but you can get the scratch out. the problem is keeping it so that it not only "looks" good but you can see out in rain, night, day, etc. that's the optically-correct issue. take a look at the fellow working on his headlight lens. granted, it's far more delicate than glass, but I think what he's got is a good-looking lens that no longer is optically correct to the sides--therefore, it looks foggy or blurred.

jb193

Contact NASA. NO joke. They polish the windshield of the Space Shuttle every time it lands due to all the debris hitting it upon re-entry. I don't know what it is or what it costs, but evidently it works.

MCSSLT1

Contact NASA and ask what they use to polish the windshield of the space shuttle? Just like that huh

spinalator

Maybe an asteroid can smash the windshield and then it can be replaced by my insurance carrier. I doubt they are going to replace it for a scratch...

Andysherman

You still have that thing called a deductible... i have the same issues, & from the reading on the forum, think replacing the W/S will be the most straightforward solution. $350 to replace. I spent that on my CAI...

weezon

I would think it could be filled like a chip. But all you have to do to cut glass is etch it so it might be a safety issue.

Fly-N-LOw

In Florida your windshield will be replaced free by your insurance if it can't be repaired and the damage is bigger than a dollar bill. Usually does not take an adjuster and they send out SAFELIGHT. HUD no problem. I've had two replaced
by SAFELIGHT just like OEM.

GRCTampa