Kappy
10-08-2013, 04:11 PM
I have a low-mileage, 2012 car that I've only owned for a few months. I've already had the paint corrected and it looks great, except...
Shortly after I got the car I noticed tiny, random spots in the windshield glass, but only when driving. I'd clean the glass, thinking I'd removed the spots, and then I'd see them again a few days later. I thought I had finally managed to get the glass clean because I hadn't seen the spots for several weeks.
Last week I was driving west as the sun was setting, and once again I see spots in my glass. The next morning I happened to go out early and drive east, and the same spots appeared. It was then that I realized that the spots were in the glass itself, and not just the windshield, and are only noticeable when the sun is at a certain angle. If the car is facing away from the sun, at that same time of day, I can see spots in the rear window, and even the side windows and sunroof to some extent.
I took the car to the dealer early this morning, and much to my surprise, the service manager could see exactly what I was talking about. He wasn't sure what they were, but before he considers glass replacement, he wants my car for a day so his detailers can attempt to fix the glass. Uh, oh. I asked him if he was going to have the glass polished, to see if that would have any affect on removing the spots, but he said that would be up to the detailing crew.
I've read enough posts about polishing glass, if in fact that's what they'll attempt, to know that it makes a mess. I asked the service manager what they would do about protecting the paint and washing the car when they were finished, because I didn't want it driven through their auto wash. He said they'd hand wash it. Not really the answer I wanted to hear, as I've learned from this forum, there's hand-washing and correct hand-washing. Not much I could say.
Another option, though not a good one, would be to take the car as is when they're done, and wash it myself. I would assume they'll need to clean the glass to see the results, and whatever was used on the glass will wind up drying on the paint before I'd get to wash it.
If the car wasn't new, and under warranty, I'd probably attempt polishing the glass myself to see if that corrects the problem, or hire someone who has experience to do it. I know there's a good chance I'm going to regret having this done, but I don't see any alternative. I'm hesitating to book an appointment for service.
I tried taking some photos of the spots, but with the sun coming directly into the window, it washes out any details in the glass. It actually looks like the spots aren't even on the surface, but inside the glass, though I don't have any experience with something like this and could be completely wrong. Of course if they're not on the surface, no amount of polishing is going to remove them.
Any suggestions?
Shortly after I got the car I noticed tiny, random spots in the windshield glass, but only when driving. I'd clean the glass, thinking I'd removed the spots, and then I'd see them again a few days later. I thought I had finally managed to get the glass clean because I hadn't seen the spots for several weeks.
Last week I was driving west as the sun was setting, and once again I see spots in my glass. The next morning I happened to go out early and drive east, and the same spots appeared. It was then that I realized that the spots were in the glass itself, and not just the windshield, and are only noticeable when the sun is at a certain angle. If the car is facing away from the sun, at that same time of day, I can see spots in the rear window, and even the side windows and sunroof to some extent.
I took the car to the dealer early this morning, and much to my surprise, the service manager could see exactly what I was talking about. He wasn't sure what they were, but before he considers glass replacement, he wants my car for a day so his detailers can attempt to fix the glass. Uh, oh. I asked him if he was going to have the glass polished, to see if that would have any affect on removing the spots, but he said that would be up to the detailing crew.
I've read enough posts about polishing glass, if in fact that's what they'll attempt, to know that it makes a mess. I asked the service manager what they would do about protecting the paint and washing the car when they were finished, because I didn't want it driven through their auto wash. He said they'd hand wash it. Not really the answer I wanted to hear, as I've learned from this forum, there's hand-washing and correct hand-washing. Not much I could say.
Another option, though not a good one, would be to take the car as is when they're done, and wash it myself. I would assume they'll need to clean the glass to see the results, and whatever was used on the glass will wind up drying on the paint before I'd get to wash it.
If the car wasn't new, and under warranty, I'd probably attempt polishing the glass myself to see if that corrects the problem, or hire someone who has experience to do it. I know there's a good chance I'm going to regret having this done, but I don't see any alternative. I'm hesitating to book an appointment for service.
I tried taking some photos of the spots, but with the sun coming directly into the window, it washes out any details in the glass. It actually looks like the spots aren't even on the surface, but inside the glass, though I don't have any experience with something like this and could be completely wrong. Of course if they're not on the surface, no amount of polishing is going to remove them.
Any suggestions?