Now it's foggy all the time

[Tom_06]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 9 2006, 02:00 PM) [snapback]330109[/snapback]</div>

Just called my friendly Toyota dealer; a new factory windshield is going to cost $1,100!! I'd consider leaving it the way it is, but when the sun (or car headlights) hit it at the right angle, that hazy spot becomes almost completely opaque, and I have to look around it in order to see the road.
[big sigh]

The car goes in tomorrow; there goes my fall clothing budget!
[/b]

This seems a bit high, even for a Dealer. The list price on Toyota glass is $560.82, discounted price is $448.66. See:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...amp;catalogid=2

I've had the misfortune to have 4 or 5 windshields replaced and the labor content just wasn't that high - 2 guys in less than a hour. They are talking about $550 in labor and materials (glue).

If you do have to do this out-of-pocket, try talking them down - have them spell out the charges for labor and materials.

- Tom

[Pinto Girl]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Oct 9 2006, 05:49 PM) [snapback]330279[/snapback]</div>

Wow. Really sucks! However... I'm having a heck of a time understanding how a product that you would run on by hand (and made for paint!) could possibly scratch glass deep enough where it could not be polished out by machine with a proper glass polish. I've seen some horrible glass brought back to usefulness that was initiall sand blasted all to hell. Can you give a product name of what you used to rub in there?
[/b]

Here's what I did:
1. Using paper towel as an applicator and an old rag to buff, I rubbed (as hard as I could) Mothers carnuba wax+cleaning compound into the windshield (the can was about four-ish years old and seemed to have a little liquid and possibly some grit in the bottom). I didn't let it dry...buffed and buffed, then wiped off wet and repeated. Did this on and off for probably two hours (I'm not kidding; I'm really pathetic sometimes)
2. Earlier in the week, I'd ordered the Zaino glass polish, which just happened to arrive while I was in the middle of causing all of this damage. So I switched over to the Zaino, and did the same thing for about another hour and a half.
3. Next, I thought to myself, I've heard all about these claybars that seem to work so well on paint...so I went right down to the auto parts store and bought one, which I then used in combination with the Zaino product. On the windshield. Buffed hard for about another hour or so. I think it was this combination that caused the hazing.
4. Then I thought, how about trying the liquid which came with the claybar (again, for paint) so I did that for about fifteen minutes with no effect (i.e., I didn't cause any more visible damage)
5. Seeking yet another way to inflict harm on my darling Buzz, I tried the liquid 'cleaner-wax' (Meguiar's) that came with the claybar kit. Buffed for about fifteen minutes.
6. It was at this point that I noticed the haze. I panicked (again) and buffed the h-e-double-toothpicks out of it with a foam wax applicator (moistened with tap water) and the Zaino. Did this for about two hours.

...and, boy, are my shoulders tired!

At this point I called the glass guy. He used what looked like a power drill and some sort of clay compound(s) that he sprayed with a spritz bottle and worked into it for a while. I think it might look a bit better but it's SO difficult to tell; from most angles there's this vague haziness, but if the light hits it just right it goes almost totally opaque. The morning sun is awful; I almost rear-ended someone this morning 'cause it went opaque all of the sudden.

Believe me, I'd love to not replace the windscreen, but it's difficult to even see the damage from most angles; that's what threw me off after doing all of what I did. I tried to be really, really observant for scratches, but what I wasn't seeing was the hazing. Without some sort of light angled so the glass repair person could see the haze, I don't know how they'd go about fixing it.

But, clearly (no pun intended, believe me), my understanding of automotive glass is somewhat limited.
[sigh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom_06 @ Oct 9 2006, 06:19 PM) [snapback]330298[/snapback]</div>

This seems a bit high, even for a Dealer. The list price on Toyota glass is $560.82, discounted price is $448.66. See:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...amp;catalogid=2

I've had the misfortune to have 4 or 5 windshields replaced and the labor content just wasn't that high - 2 guys in less than a hour. They are talking about $550 in labor and materials (glue).

If you do have to do this out-of-pocket, try talking them down - have them spell out the charges for labor and materials.

- Tom
[/b]

Ahhhhh...thank you for that link! I had a feeling their price was a skosh high, based only on what I'd read here on PC, and this seems to confirm. I will, indeed, be paying out of pocket and shall call to my dealer's attention the difference between the cost of this part and what they're attempting to charge me.

As I said, I've never had to replace a windshield before. I will *definitely* ask for a breakdown of the charges before going ahead with the job. The price above is ONLY for the part, installation is additional.

[jburns]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 9 2006, 07:40 PM) [snapback]330303[/snapback]</div>

Here's what I did:
1. Using paper towel as an applicator and an old rag to buff, I rubbed (as hard as I could) Mothers carnuba wax+cleaning compound into the windshield (the can was about four-ish years old and seemed to have a little liquid and possibly some grit in the bottom). I didn't let it dry...buffed and buffed, then wiped off wet and repeated. Did this on and off for probably two hours (I'm not kidding; I'm really pathetic sometimes)
2. Earlier in the week, I'd ordered the Zaino glass polish, which just happened to arrive while I was in the middle of causing all of this damage. So I switched over to the Zaino, and did the same thing for about another hour and a half.
3. Next, I thought to myself, I've heard all about these claybars that seem to work so well on paint...so I went right down to the auto parts store and bought one, which I then used in combination with the Zaino product. On the windshield. Buffed hard for about another hour or so. I think it was this combination that caused the hazing.
4. Then I thought, how about trying the liquid which came with the claybar (again, for paint) so I did that for about fifteen minutes with no effect (i.e., I didn't cause any more visible damage)
5. Seeking yet another way to inflict harm on my darling Buzz, I tried the liquid 'cleaner-wax' (Meguiar's) that came with the claybar kit. Buffed for about fifteen minutes.
6. It was at this point that I noticed the haze. I panicked (again) and buffed the h-e-double-toothpicks out of it with a foam wax applicator (moistened with tap water) and the Zaino. Did this for about two hours.

...and, boy, are my shoulders tired!


[/b]

Call Guinness!!

[PA]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Beryl Octet @ Oct 9 2006, 06:27 PM) [snapback]330270[/snapback]</div>

My commute on I-40 claimed them -- lots of construction and lots of trucks with Keep Back 200 ft signs on the rear that like to weave in traffic, and to not use those cover things. Never understood why license plates on the rear aren't required here; I've never seen a dump truck that had one.

I think (hope) the Prius will fare a bit better, since the sloping windshield seems to deflect things a bit better than a relatively straight up windshield on a truck or an old Volvo.
[/b]

Yeah, I got 2 chips on the hood of my then-2-week-old Prius. Scared the hell out of me when they hit. It looked like the rocks shot straight up in the air after impact like bullets. At least a little dab of touch-up paint will take care of those. By the way, I believe the truck tags are on the front, so they won't get dirty, bent-up, etc. like they would on the back. And they also won't get written down by drivers who just got pelted with rocks.

Pinto Girl, my condolences on your windshield incident. The good news is it's repairable, and it'll be just fine. It's just one of those lessons we all learn. I would definitely check around instead of just going through the dealer, though. Perhaps someone can give you a recommendation?

[cairo94507]

Pinto Girl-
I am alittle shocked that you did that; you seem to be car savvy. Anyway, I would clal your insurance provider, tell them a rock flew up and struck the windshield right in your direct line of sight and chipped the windshield and you tired to remedy the matter as best you could but it did not work out. Then tell them you took it to a glass shop and they attempted to reapir it and were unable, telling you to replace the winsdshield. Ask what it will cost to have the windshield replaced. I know you just love your car, fret not, a new windshield installed by a professional will not leak. I average at least one a year on one of my cars. None have ever leaked. I would recommend you replace your windshield with a factory glass and not some aftermarket item. Good luck. OH- by the way, my prius only came down 1/2" with the Sportivo springs and struts. Been in the car two weeks and it has not settled any lower than that. I just love that improvement.
Cairo94507

[hdrygas]

I would go with OEM as well. I have had a partner that had a in the parking lot person do his and had leak problems. Now remember we get a lot of rain here in the PNW. Milage will vary.

[LMA]

[quote]
i had a windshield replaced on my last car, and about a year later had a nice rust spot front and center above the windshield. and when it rained, it rained in the car onto the rearview mirror."

I also ended up with a rust spot at the top of my windshield when I had mine replaced on my previous car, but it never got so bad as to rain in. As soon as I noticed the paint bubbling, I called up the glass place. They tried to argue with me until I pointed out that a Saturn only has three metal components and the roof is one of them, and the *only* place that was rusting was directly next to where the black sealing stuff goes around the windshield. No dice? Well, next stop was my insurance company, who had a record of my window replacement with that glass shop. I was covered under my policy and I let *them* duke it out with the glass shop. Since I had to have the roof repainted, it ended up costing over $2,000. My rates didn't go up, so I can only assume the insurance company got their reimbursement from the glass shop.

Of course, none of this helps the current person's situation ....

[richard schumacher]

Pinto Girl, I commend you for sharing your experience and giving others a chance to learn from it. This takes courage and selflessness.

And fear not: many people have had windshields replaced with good results. Good luck to you!

[seeh2o]

I would try using white vinegar on a soft towel or cotton ball, that should cut through the wax and hopefully remove the haze.

With my last car, an Explorer Sport, I had a LOT of experience with new windshields - over the course of 8 years I had 4 new windshields:

One was from a rock kicked up by another vehicle while on the freeway;

One was from someone intentionally throwing a large rock from an overpass at cars on the 5 freeway (I was going 70mph, I was lucky it hit the corner of the roof rather than full on into the windshield - I would have been injured or killed);

One when my dad accidentally letting go of the windshield wiper (while replacing the blade the car alarm went off and scared him half to death, he dropped the bare metal arm and the windshield cracked instantly. Once I realized he was ok we both laughed our heads off!);

And finally, thanks to the dealership - they broke the windshield while the car was in for routine service They kept the car for a week without explaination while paying for a rental. They NEVER told me they broke and replaced the windshield, I only found out when I read the paperwork! That service manager was fired by the time I went back to the dealership, I wonder what else he didn't disclose to people???

Anyway, I never had a problem with leaking from any of the replacement windshields. All were OEM, but only one was replaced by the dealership.

Good luck...and don't panic next time. Walk away, take a deep breath and count to 100!

[Pinto Girl]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Oct 10 2006, 08:28 AM) [snapback]330539[/snapback]</div>

Pinto Girl, I commend you for sharing your experience and giving others a chance to learn from it. This takes courage and selflessness.

And fear not: many people have had windshields replaced with good results. Good luck to you!
[/b]

Just wanted to take a moment to give a big THANK YOU! to everyone for all of the support and information. I used the link to pricing for a new windshield, combined with telling them that I'm paying out of my own pocket (I may have layed it on a little thick about how I didn't want to make the insurance company pay when really it's my fault, etc.) to get them to reduce the price of the repairs to $150/labor and $589/for the new Toyota windshield.

I know that may not be the lowest price possible, but it's lots better! Also might help with my feeble attempt to patch together the shreds of my credibility.
[laughing]

--Natalie