Can I save my windshield? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LawMan02 · 03-21-2006, 09:06 PM

I made a foolish mistake and did not cover my windshield while welding on top of the cab. Now I have many specks burnt into my windshield. The spots are very hard to see but you can feel them. I know if nothing else it will probably ruin the wipers and might even start cracks running in cold weather. Does anyone have any ideas of smoothing the glass off or applying some type of something to help with the glass. Any help is much appreciated. Randy

cdowns · 03-21-2006, 09:08 PM

call the glassguy time for a new windshield

LUV2XCLR8 · 03-21-2006, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

call the glassguy time for a new windshield

U can get a new one installed at your house for under $200

72armyswbtruck · 03-21-2006, 11:08 PM

It all depends on your perspective and cash flow, it will take alot of effort and time to fix this issue, however it will only cost under $200 for a new one, and if you have not painted the truck yet, then wait until after the truck is painted to replace the windshield

leadfoot067 · 03-22-2006, 12:19 AM

you basically burned pits into the glass...theres no fixing it...it most likely wont crack because of them...

greenhorn male · 03-22-2006, 12:32 AM

Why does the windshield need replacement if the spots are hard to see? Is there a safety element I am not aware of. Or is this for aesthetic reasons (show truck). Couldn't you take a blade and soap solution and carefully remove any specs. I see older windshields that have been battered by sand, dirt and small rocks that last another 10 years or more.

Oh, by the way lemon pledge spray bottle works well on scratches on plastics: plexiglass, lexan, etc. I've never tried it on glass but it made my bike windshield look almost new again after I thought I may have to junk it. I just squirt on, work it in, and wipe off. Repeat a few times using a soft cotton cloth only. Paper will scratch plastics. Not sure about glass.

Jim_PA · 03-22-2006, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn male

Oh, by the way lemon pledge spray bottle works well on scratches on plastics: plexiglass, lexan, etc. I've never tried it on glass

I wouldn't recommend trying that either... waxy or oily things on windshields don't play well with wiper blades. Don't ask how I know

Oh, and pardon my thread hijack, but can white/hazy windshields be fixed with something? Mine is pretty bad starting around the seal, going inward.

sneakysnake · 03-22-2006, 10:33 AM

wet the windshield, take a metal putty knife and gently scrape over the effected area, apply as little down force as to not scratch the glass.This should get the roughness off so it wont eat your wiper blades.

Russell · 03-22-2006, 12:28 PM

I did the same thing on my GMC -- after a few months of driving it the way it was, the windsheild seemed to get buffed or something and the severity of it seemed to reduce. As it stands now, the windshield just perpetually looked like it is coated in road salt. Not to mention the huge cracks. But mentioned by others in this thread, it won't get a new one till after paint.

mplex2000 · 03-22-2006, 03:43 PM

Jim PA: The haziness comes from the lining in the middle of the glass as it ages, as far as I know ... it can't be fixed. Mine was really bad, so I wasn't too worried when I broke my windshield while removing it :P

LawMan02 · 03-22-2006, 09:39 PM

Thanks for all the advise. It should get finished with painting by next week. I really wanted to use that $200 towards a 6" lift kit to run my new 35" swampers on it.

I might try to smooth the spots ( I know I'm just kidding myself) and try to make it through the summer. It's not a dd so it might work. I keep looking for a used lift kit...then maybe I could afford both.

Thanks again guys for the help.

Jim_PA · 03-22-2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mplex2000

Jim PA: The haziness comes from the lining in the middle of the glass as it ages, as far as I know ... it can't be fixed. Mine was really bad, so I wasn't too worried when I broke my windshield while removing it :P

I figured as much! -- Thanks

**N2TRUX** · 03-22-2006, 10:21 PM

Use a razor blade and windex. Put a single edge razor blade in a scraper handle and wet the windshield with the windex. Keep the angle of the blade at at a minimium and clean the entire surface. This will get most of the metal out.

You could try a clay bar, but I doubt it will do the job. The razor and windex will get it smooth enough that it shouldn't eat your wiper blades to bad.

davidh · 03-22-2006, 11:04 PM

I used to tint windows and when the side windows had welding slag on them they were toast. The tint hightlighted it and it looked like sh*t. Not to mention it was rough. Just wait til you paint her.

Andy4639 · 03-23-2006, 04:15 AM

Take a hammer to it and call your insurance company and tell them a rock hit it. Doesn't cost a thing in SC to have a new one installed.

03-21-2006, 09:06 PM	#1
LawMan02 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Saint Francisville, Louisiana Posts: 157	Can I save my windshield? I made a foolish mistake and did not cover my windshield while welding on top of the cab. Now I have many specks burnt into my windshield. The spots are very hard to see but you can feel them. I know if nothing else it will probably ruin the wipers and might even start cracks running in cold weather. Does anyone have any ideas of smoothing the glass off or applying some type of something to help with the glass. Any help is much appreciated. Randy __________________ 1972 GMC K2500, stepside, stock 350, 4 speed. Former F/D truck with 32,000 miles, no rust. 1973 Jeep CJ 5, 304, 33's with side pipes 2008 GMC 2500HD, CC, SWB, D/A, SLT

03-21-2006, 09:08 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Can I save my windshield? call the glassguy time for a new windshield __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-21-2006, 11:08 PM	#4
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,033	Re: Can I save my windshield? It all depends on your perspective and cash flow, it will take alot of effort and time to fix this issue, however it will only cost under $200 for a new one, and if you have not painted the truck yet, then wait until after the truck is painted to replace the windshield __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

03-22-2006, 12:19 AM	#5
leadfoot067 horsepower junkie Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: graham, washington Posts: 326	Re: Can I save my windshield? you basically burned pits into the glass...theres no fixing it...it most likely wont crack because of them... __________________ 67 short wide box,350/700r4/3.73posi 71 olds cutlass "S" mom bought new..12.30s@113MPH Last edited by leadfoot067; 03-22-2006 at 12:20 AM.

03-22-2006, 12:32 AM	#6
greenhorn male Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bay Area, Northern California Posts: 1,344	Re: Can I save my windshield? Why does the windshield need replacement if the spots are hard to see? Is there a safety element I am not aware of. Or is this for aesthetic reasons (show truck). Couldn't you take a blade and soap solution and carefully remove any specs. I see older windshields that have been battered by sand, dirt and small rocks that last another 10 years or more. Oh, by the way lemon pledge spray bottle works well on scratches on plastics: plexiglass, lexan, etc. I've never tried it on glass but it made my bike windshield look almost new again after I thought I may have to junk it. I just squirt on, work it in, and wipe off. Repeat a few times using a soft cotton cloth only. Paper will scratch plastics. Not sure about glass. __________________ 03 Tahoe 72 GMC Super Custom 2500 Custom Camper, my reliable workhorse. Dual gauged tanks, dual battery trays.

03-22-2006, 10:33 AM	#8
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: Can I save my windshield? wet the windshield, take a metal putty knife and gently scrape over the effected area, apply as little down force as to not scratch the glass.This should get the roughness off so it wont eat your wiper blades.

03-22-2006, 12:28 PM	#9
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Re: Can I save my windshield? I did the same thing on my GMC -- after a few months of driving it the way it was, the windsheild seemed to get buffed or something and the severity of it seemed to reduce. As it stands now, the windshield just perpetually looked like it is coated in road salt. Not to mention the huge cracks. But mentioned by others in this thread, it won't get a new one till after paint. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

03-22-2006, 03:43 PM	#10
mplex2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: DFW Posts: 463	Re: Can I save my windshield? Jim PA: The haziness comes from the lining in the middle of the glass as it ages, as far as I know ... it can't be fixed. Mine was really bad, so I wasn't too worried when I broke my windshield while removing it :P

03-22-2006, 09:39 PM	#11
LawMan02 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Saint Francisville, Louisiana Posts: 157	Re: Can I save my windshield? Thanks for all the advise. It should get finished with painting by next week. I really wanted to use that $200 towards a 6" lift kit to run my new 35" swampers on it. I might try to smooth the spots ( I know I'm just kidding myself) and try to make it through the summer. It's not a dd so it might work. I keep looking for a used lift kit...then maybe I could afford both. Thanks again guys for the help. __________________ 1972 GMC K2500, stepside, stock 350, 4 speed. Former F/D truck with 32,000 miles, no rust. 1973 Jeep CJ 5, 304, 33's with side pipes 2008 GMC 2500HD, CC, SWB, D/A, SLT

03-22-2006, 10:21 PM	#13
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Can I save my windshield? Use a razor blade and windex. Put a single edge razor blade in a scraper handle and wet the windshield with the windex. Keep the angle of the blade at at a minimium and clean the entire surface. This will get most of the metal out. You could try a clay bar, but I doubt it will do the job. The razor and windex will get it smooth enough that it shouldn't eat your wiper blades to bad. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

03-22-2006, 11:04 PM	#14
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,220	Re: Can I save my windshield? I used to tint windows and when the side windows had welding slag on them they were toast. The tint hightlighted it and it looked like sh*t. Not to mention it was rough. Just wait til you paint her.

03-23-2006, 04:15 AM	#15
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Can I save my windshield? Take a hammer to it and call your insurance company and tell them a rock hit it. Doesn't cost a thing in SC to have a new one installed. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



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