Took 20 years off my windshield!!

[jakeru]

Originally Posted by PaulE

It isn't dual action, only random orbital.

Hi Paul - if you didn't glean from the link Gelbster posted already, "random orbital" polisher is another name for "dual action" polisher. Basically, it oscillates in small circular motion, while allowing the pad to rotate freely. The small oscillations help keep the edge from digging in.

Originally Posted by PaulE

I did not spend a lot of time on the windshield, but it didn't look like I made much progress on the thousands of tiny specks in the glass from road grit. I don't have issues with marks from my wipers, just the specks since I do all my driving on highways and the daily driver has 93,000 miles already. So, here's my multi-part question-If I spend more time on the windshield, can I expect to make any improvement on the tiny specks?

Yes, I also noticed those "specs" in my glass as I was polishing my windshield. As BoxsterSteve said, the very fine abrasives and polishing techniques described in this thread aren't aggressive enough to have any significant effect on those.

Originally Posted by PaulE

And if so, do I need to use a polisher that isn't a random orbital motion? And if the random orbital polisher should do the job, should it be at a higher or lower speed?

A rotary polisher is generally the most aggressive polishing tool. The drawback is the relatively fast-moving edge can easily "dig in", making even removal of material more of a challenge. However, I think the issue for pock mark removal is too fine of an abrasive.

Personally, when using a dual-action/random orbital, I like the speed set low enough that it doesn't sling material. By controlling downward pressure, you can influence cut rate. Running things at higher speeds, or too much downward pressure, can also input more heat into things, which can be problematic if things get too hot. In my case, I managed this heat by re-misting with water from a spray bottle a few times.

I have a set of diamond polishing pads for polishing stone/granite countertops, that are designed to use with rotary polishers, and ideally, flooded with a constant flow of water, as both a coolant and to keep freshly removed grit removed. While it would be an interesting experiment to try using them to polish automotive glass, and I'd be fairly confident they could break through at least some of those "pocks", I'd be very fearful that attempting this may result in uneven material removal (more likely the more aggressive you get with removal). You could easily make things worse (inducing optical distortions/aberration) than just leaving the small pits! Not to mention the time and effort required compared to the alternative of replacing the windshield.

You might look into some sort of windshield chip-filling resin might be workable to fill your pock marks, but I can't say whether it'd be worth the effort or not. Typically the chip-filling resin is done one chip at a time, and is UV-cured. The excess resin can be mostly shaved off flat with a razor blade afterward.

[PaulE]

Originally Posted by jakeru

Hi Paul - if you didn't glean from the link Gelbster posted already, "random orbital" polisher is another name for "dual action" polisher. Basically, it oscillates in small circular motion, while allowing the pad to rotate freely. The small oscillations help keep the edge from digging in.



Yes, I also noticed those "specs" in my glass as I was polishing my windshield. As BoxsterSteve said, the very fine abrasives and polishing techniques described in this thread aren't aggressive enough to have any significant effect on those.



A rotary polisher is generally the most aggressive polishing tool. The drawback is the relatively fast-moving edge can easily "dig in", making even removal of material more of a challenge. However, I think the issue for pock mark removal is too fine of an abrasive.

Personally, when using a dual-action/random orbital, I like the speed set low enough that it doesn't sling material. By controlling downward pressure, you can influence cut rate. Running things at higher speeds, or too much downward pressure, can also input more heat into things, which can be problematic if things get too hot. In my case, I managed this heat by re-misting with water from a spray bottle a few times.

I have a set of diamond polishing pads for polishing stone/granite countertops, that are designed to use with rotary polishers, and ideally, flooded with a constant flow of water, as both a coolant and to keep freshly removed grit removed. While it would be an interesting experiment to try using them to polish automotive glass, and I'd be fairly confident they could break through at least some of those "pocks", I'd be very fearful that attempting this may result in uneven material removal (more likely the more aggressive you get with removal). You could easily make things worse (inducing optical distortions/aberration) than just leaving the small pits! Not to mention the time and effort required compared to the alternative of replacing the windshield.

You might look into some sort of windshield chip-filling resin might be workable to fill your pock marks, but I can't say whether it'd be worth the effort or not. Typically the chip-filling resin is done one chip at a time, and is UV-cured. The excess resin can be mostly shaved off flat with a razor blade afterward.

Thanks for your detailed response. These specks in my windshield of my daily driver, and also in my Boxster, are very small, and there are lots of them. When the windshield is clean, and I'm driving into the sun, it can sometimes be like looking through a galaxy of stars in the sky on a clear night. It's annoying but not the end of the world. If I'm not driving into the sun, if it's raining, or night time, you can't see these specks. You can barely feel them if you run a finger nail over them. I'm going to try again in the Spring, first on the daily driver. If I get some improvement, great, but if not, I'll leave it alone until the time comes that I need a new windshield. I appreciate the advice and things I learn here!

[Gelbster]

See this link for background
Rotary Buffer vs DA Polisher vs Traditional Orbital Buffer

[PaulE]

Originally Posted by Gelbster

See this link for background
Rotary Buffer vs DA Polisher vs Traditional Orbital Buffer

Thanks for that. I am going to try a 5 inch hook and loop backing pad on my 6 amp Harbor Freight angle grinder. I'm getting to the point in my life that I don't want to buy any more tools that I won't use very much. If it doesn't work, I've lived with the windshield and I'll continue to until a rock tells me it's time for a new windshield.

[jakeru]

I know exactly the specs you are referring to... here are some views through the polished side of my ~116k mile Boxster windshield, where they are clearly visible. First photo is an overall view looking into bright, glaring sunlight, and second is a zoomed-in view looking into an overhead light in an underground parking garage:



That said, it looks better than before polishing. Below, notice those same two scenes viewed through the unpolished side of my Boxster's windshield...



These wiper blade scratch marks make really annoying, moving rows of glaring parallel-line reflections which constantly change orientation as the bright moving lights outside the car (especially worse at night) move around. The worst spot in the windshield for me is the area where both of the wipers overlap, as there are glaring lines there at not just one, but two unique angles!

[Rob175]

On another site I read about using BAR KEEPERS FRIEND to polish glass, and for me it worked great. I mixed some into a paste and rubbed it on the glass (unfortunately by hand). Took some elbow grease but it did a great job..... I recommend it! Just be careful to keep it off the paint and rubber surfaces.

[Nine8Six]

Been reading quite a bit here.

Is it fair to say that this requires a great deal of effort? Trying to find out if it would be just easier if not more effective to get the glass changed by the dealer here. Not cheaper unfortunately, they charge US$2k here hence why I am so interested into this thread.

Anyone managed to get most of the little rock-hits off? I'm looking for a better night vision and those rock marks is what ruins it all in my case. Any tips you have, please chime. Jakeru mentioned resin filling, if anyone knows about any/tech available do add

thx