Are these windscreens made out of plastic?!?

[ukgroucho]

Unbelievable! Scraped a fairly soft layer of frost off my windscreen this morning and I've put a 30CM+ scratch across the glass right in front of the drivers side. It's a light scratch - barely visible from the outside - but really annoying when driving, particularly into the sun. I can only just detect it with a fingernail so it is not too deep.

I can only assume there was something 'hard' on the windscreen elsewhere that got picked up by the scraper and transferred for me to gouge across the glass but it is something I've never experienced before and really disappointing.

Been looking at companies that claim to do scratch repairs - and have discounted trying to do this myself.
Anyone had any experience of fixing this kind of issue and any recommendations on who can provide reliable service to sort it?

[Gmonster]

Particle of grit/sand the likely culprit that got caught up in the scraper. For this reason that I always use defrosting aerosols etc... either that or hang about and wait for heater to do it's job....

Have experienced scratching that occurred when grit got caught in the bottom seals of the side windows; lower electric windows; resulting in lovely straight vertical scratchs on the window! .... it's for this reason that I give the side window seals a good flush out with the karcher at every car wash...


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[Silane]

This happened to me before. But my insurance covered broken windscreens, so a few days later my windscreen got broken by a "stone", definitely not a hammer and nail because that would be insurance fraud.

[Splash]

ukg: I've heard that toothpaste can work well, but maybe try some in the nearside corner first. Better still, if you can get it, is the paste that jewellers use for watch crystals. Pragnells are probably not so helpful, but Mike at Peplows who's working on one of mine right now may be able to help. If you can wait a few days I'll see if I can get some, or a pointer. He doesn't work Thursdays if you're heading over that way.

Longer term, I've been using a Frostblocker (about £12ish from Costco) for a few seasons now. The newer ones come with some wing mirror covers too which are handy for our poverty spec car without heated mirrors. It also has its own Frostblocker, but being a smaller car is prone to catching the wind underneath it and occasionally flipping. They're also available through Amazon, but I can't resist a walk down Costco's automotive aisle.

Let me know if you want one picking up on the way down.

[ukgroucho]

Thanks Splash.

Got a Frostblocker on the A1 (from CostCo) including the "ears" for the wing mirrors. Did not bother for mine as I don't tend to be heading out early mornings that much although the last few days it's been frosty most of the day - I just leave the car running and lock it :)

Found a few companies that claim they can remove scratches and I think I'll give one of them a go once it warms up a bit. Don't fancy trying it myself as some research on DIY kits seem to indicate mixed results - including the potential to warp the screen (or break it in extreme cases) - or cause the laminate middle plastic layer to discolour. I think finding someone with a bit of experience to do it properly is best. If they judge that they don't think they can get the scratch out then I'd have no chance.

[Scott K]

Most good detailers could do it. Think they use rayon pads and cerium oxide polish on their machines- not something to do by hand. The DA or rotary machine will create a lot of heat hence the possible problems. No idea on cost though but might be better than getting a replacement. Our A4 needed a new screen and took the guys 3 attempts to get the correct screen even with the number plate!

[cjmcb]

I had exactly the same thing with my '13 car when it was weeks few old- it really detracted from the "new car experience". I have never had an issue in 155,000 miles of use in the 3 series. although the Audi does keep moving in snow ;-)

[ukgroucho]

I had exactly the same thing with my '13 car when it was weeks few old- it really detracted from the "new car experience". I have never had an issue in 155,000 miles of use in the 3 series. although the Audi does keep moving in snow ;-)

Did you get yours "fixed" or was it a replacement job?

[Gmonster]

Slight hi-jacking of thread here. Cyclist t-boned me today; straight out a junction without looking: cracked windscreen (so new screen for me) broken retractable mirror, and scratched bonnet. Not happy camper... dealership fix/insurance job I think.


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[Scott K]

That's going to be expensive. Did the cyclist have insurance?

[M1tchy]

A cyclist having insurance, MOT, licence, DRLs, helmet, tax or anything else that would make them worthy road users - don't be silly.


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[Gmonster]

No cyclist was student.. no insurance. I have protected ncd... so overall outlay for me will be £100 excess. Insurance co can liase with cyclist but there will be limited/no chance of him stumping up...

(I'm a cyclist too... but this makes you think of the implications/responsibities etc)


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[M1tchy]

Granted it makes you think but are you now going to take out non compulsory fully comp insurance for your bike?


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[zollaf]

i suppose one day cyclists will have to have insurance in case of instances like this, but then so will pedestrians. ever seen the mess of of those makes of a car when they fall off the pavement.

[cjmcb]

I just lived with it and then bought a 3.0 biTDi ;-)

[Gmonster]

Yeah things might change in the future in this litigation age we are moving into... at the moment you just protect yourself best you can with insurance protection measures...

and yeah won't be insuring for possible future cycling misdemeanours....


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