A few weeks ago after a big (2'+) snowstorm, I dug out my Jag with the handle of a shovel (only on the windshield!!!), and now I'm noticing I have a couple deep scratches in the windshield that are somewhat irritating. Is the only solution to replace the windshield? About how much would this cost? Or is there a way to polish a glass windshield?

 

I believe the answer is "maybe". It depends on how deep the scratch is and how soft the glass is. I would look for an auto restoration business who I would think have experience in polishing windshield glass. You may be able to polish it out but it may distort the optics of the windshield.

 

A friend of mine was washing his car with the HELP of his girlfriend last summer, he asked her to chamois leather off the windows. She had a ring on and scratched the windscreen, he tried polishing out ,but to no avail, a new windscreen,as for price he had windscreen damage on his policy so it was covered. He still has the same girlfriend.

 

Safelite quotes $1000 for a non-heated windshield, $600 for a heated windshield. Neither are very appealing figures, but I guess it's worth figuring which windshield you have to determine a worst case scenario.

 

If you can feel ANY resistance when scratching your fingernail across the glass, then you cannot polish it out. Windshield polishing is mostly effective at polishing out the hazy-type microscratches left from worn wiper blades or weatherstrips at the door glass.

 

I don't have the heated windshield. Why would the heated one be less expensive?

It seems I am out of luck. I can feel the scratch!!! Luckily the worst one is not right in my field of view, but I had no idea glass could be scratched like that.

 

A DA Polisher [dual action] with some headlight polish might improve things. Maybe even some car polish and/or rubbing compound.

 

That struck me as odd, too. Maybe order the heated one and don't get the heating element hooked up? I can only guess for this type of situation.

 

I will give it a shot when the weather is better. The car badly needs a detail after sitting out in the elements for close to 2 years now.

 

That won't do it. You need a special glass compound that will cut into the glass. As I mentioned go to a professional and see if they can do anything. There is a process to polish glass but it may or may not work. Get a pro

 

I was thinking, the leather on my dash is coming up. Would it be a good opportunity to have an upholsterer take a stab at the dash while the windshield was out? I wonder how I'd coordinate all that!

 

That shouldn't be a big deal to arrange. Talk to the glass guy ahead of time and tell him you want this done in 2 appointments . Have them pull the old glass and arrange for the upholstery guy to do the dash. My bet is the upholstery guy will take the longest.

 

Jagtoes:

You need to buy Cerium Oxide Glass Polishing Compound. Without seeing the scratches of the windshield, you may need professional help.

I have used this with great success. Once I closed the garage door on my wife's Hyundai Tucson and the bottom of the garage door came down right in line with the rear large window. It created a whole section of lines in the glass from the bottom edge of the large garage door. The garage door was electric and I could not stop it in time.

The Cerium Oxide removed all the scratches. You need pads and buffing tool.



Check this out. It may help. Be sure to read the reviews of he product.

 

amcdonal86,
It will take a professional upholsterer less than an hour to repair the dash. It will consist of cleaning off excess previous adhesive and applying new adhesive, stretching leather and stapling around the front edge (windshield edge) and around the speaker in center of the dash. I know this from my own experience as this is exactly what was done with mine. I am fairly certain that everything is accessible with the windshield removed and your upholsterer shouldn't have any problem.

 

You might check with Eastwood Products.
Eastwood Company: Search Results for polishing windhield inproducts

These products "may" improve your view.
Good Luck.

 

What about making an insurance claim? Some policies have no deductible for windshield replacement. I know I had my windshield replaced in my C6 corvette with heads up display & there was no cost. I use Liberty Mutual for insurance. Good Luck

 

Good ideas everyone. I will look into making an insurance claim, but I will need to read my policy first--if I can find it!!

I am leaning towards replacement at this point as the windshield has lots of pits in it anyway that makes it annoying to look through in the sunlight. Nothing is better than a new windshield!

 

Yeah, your comprehensive usually covers windscreen replacement with no deductible.
It just so happens, my Venza was hit by a deer last week and sustained $2800 in damage. My comprehensive insurance covers it 100%. I've had windscreen replaced, as well.
Good Luck.....

 

What?!? That deer had no insurance?

 

I've had the glass on my XK replaced twice now under comprehensive. $50 deductible each time for me. First replacement was with aftermarket. The second time (last summer) Safelite said they could not get aftermarket so they ordered direct for Jaguar.
Windshield replacement is easily covered. Both times mine was sand blasted to the point where driving into the sun was a problem, yet it looked fine at any other angle. A simple phone call to my agent had it arranged and scheduled for install within 2 weeks!

BOL
Vince