Scratches on the wind shield due to scraping the ice.

[Qashqai]

This morning the wind shield was frozen. As I normally do all the time, I use my ice new scraper (there is no way sand or small stones can be trapped) and clean the wind shield. During the lunch break, I realize that my wind shield is scratched about two inches close to the centre. Last winter left a 5 inch vertical scratch...so every year I put a "mark" on my glass

Yes I know they tried to lower the weight of the car for better MPG values and for that reason we have a crappy paint, but the car has only 25.000 km on it and the wind shield has scratches just because I cleaned the ice!

I don't want to use spray ice cleaners. Who know what they will do to the paint? I don't trust chemicals. I will use ice scraper probably every morning for the next 3-4 months!

[ImStricken06]

people dont realize that your windshield is actually THREE pieces. 1layer of plastic, 2 layers of glass. you have to be careful with their scrapers, as they can damage certain layers of plastic that might be on your specific windshield. im not sure what nissan used in canada for your car, or even mine for that matter. i simply lift my wipers up, spray the windshield washer fluid and allow that to thaw the ice/snow. apply the heater for a few minutes and then gently use the brush to brush off any snow/ice. i never take the scraper to any portion of my cars.

try using car wax to see if it fills it in a bit.

[Qashqai]

In Canada, sometimes the -40 wind washers are freezing when it touches the glass. We also have freezing rain, which leaves at least a quarter inch tick ice...scrapping is sometimes the only option. however, I will try your "wiper up-washer fluid down" technique...

[ImStricken06]

In Canada, sometimes the -40 wind washers are freezing when it touches the glass. We also have freezing rain, which leaves at least a quarter inch tick ice...scrapping is sometimes the only option. however, I will try your "wiper up-washer fluid down" technique...

find fluid that can withstand that. not all washer fluid is the same. some is only -25, some go to -40.

you can also give it better freeze protection by adding a 1pint of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)

[Qashqai]

the fluid that I am using says -40, but who know what is inside and maybe while waiting on the shelf/storage it lost its properties?

Don't you think that isopropyl alcohol evaporates after a certain time in the washer reservoir? there is a small hole on the washer fluid lid. And will it damage the plastic?

[ImStricken06]

the fluid that I am using says -40, but who know what is inside and maybe while waiting on the shelf/storage it lost its properties?

Don't you think that isopropyl alcohol evaporates after a certain time in the washer reservoir? there is a small hole on the washer fluid lid. And will it damage the plastic?

it wont ruin plastic, as thats what is already in your washer fluid. adding some more, will simply lower the freeze temps

[casperfun]

Don't feel bad, I scratch the hell out of the top of my windshield trying to remove the tint sun strip with a razor blade and a scouring pad. I rushed so I can get it re-inspected that day. arghhhhhhhh!

Anyways, my Rogue kept failing inspection for the 2nd time because of the sun strip. Got it right this time, or I hope. It is okay to have the sun strip all the way to the as1 line as LONG as I have lettering or a design under the sun strip! I know, a stupid law.

Could not stand the scratches I made so I had the sun strip re-installed with some chinese lettering/design on the top right corner to make it legal. Or so I hope!

[johny_maple]

"... apply the heater for a few minutes ..." re: cleaning ice/snow off the windshield. One of my complaints about my 2011 SL is the poor performance of the heater /AC. Not only does it not get hot/cold enough but the slot is not wide enough to get the "hot" air to the bottom corners. I have no scratches on the windshield however so I should be thankful for small mercies.

[ImStricken06]

"... apply the heater for a few minutes ..." re: cleaning ice/snow off the windshield. One of my complaints about my 2011 SL is the poor performance of the heater /AC. Not only does it not get hot/cold enough but the slot is not wide enough to get the "hot" air to the bottom corners. I have no scratches on the windshield however so I should be thankful for small mercies.

can i ask what country you are in?

[johny_maple]

That would be Canada, more specifically in southern Ontario where the winters have been quite mild for the last few years. I can only imagine what the heating problem is like for someone further north.

[kerrton]

I'm in Southern Alberta, I've been not only scraping but hacking and whacking and grinding ice off of my windshield for decades, as does everyone that lives here in the winter. I've never heard of anyone scratching their windshield with a plastic scraper....ever in my life. The plastic scraper is soft enough that it shouldn't be able to do any damage to the glass, but if you get debris on the windshield, say some sand and gravel mixed with the ice deposited by the wind then I guess its possible but I wouldn't think its very common or likely.

In really cold weather waiting for the heater to melt the ice on your windshield just isn't an option, unless you let the car idle for 30 minutes which is terrible for air quality and it wastes fuel. The only option is to scrape it off with a plastic scraper, or I guess you could shoot the washer fluid with anti-freeze on it but that anti-freeze doesn't just disappear, it ends up on the road and goes into the storm sewer system and in to the natural water ways. I would highly recommend that you keep the use of this type of fluid to a bare minimum and just don't use it if possible.

My windshield is quite pitted and scratched from winter driving, but that's due to sand and gravel shooting into the windshield from the guy in front of me!!

[Qashqai]

I am pretty sure plastıc scraper didn't scratch the glass, since it is softer than the glass itself. My theory is the cars in front of me sprays slıuh/salty sand/snow on to the windshield. I am sure the sand that they use to mix with salt has tiny little hard crystals like quartz etc. They stayed on the glass overnight and the ice covers the surface overnight...when I scrape the ice, they stuck between the scraper and glass and they scratch the surface. However I still don't understand why it is happenning to me? I talked to at least ten friends at work and they all laughed at me!

[Sadequr2002]

my 2011 Rogue already have 2 scratch in windshield i never even realize how when make 2 tiny outside hole when i dont want fix it cause i think it doesn't cover by warranty i already have 1year past so i dont want to talk to dealer they will ask me to pay like 2k or more maybe so i don't know how it come ice snow or salt from street or stone so so bad luck for me

[kerrton]

That's how the luck goes sometimes, especially in winter with not only sand but course gravel spread on the roads and highways. You're going to get pitting, dings and scratches, no doubt about it!

[darylzero]

Just read somewhere else that someone suggested put a piece of scrap carpet across the windshield. Obviously this is only good when you park overnight at home or wherever. There must be other things you could use as well. Apparently there is, http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Expressions- ... B000BYRHIS

[Qashqai]

I have two more scratches. On of them is just on the left side of the rear-view mirror. I honestly have no idea about these scratches. All I did is clean the snow! I can't drive with the glasses covered with snow, right. So my theory is the cars in front of me a throwing the slush/water/mud on the road onto my wind shield. When I clean the snow, the quartz crystals are scratching the glass. But I don't understand, why only my wind shield is scratched. Non of my colleagues at work have such a complain...

There are at least five extremely thin (as thin as a spider web) straight scratches.

Anyway, I found a product called CeriGlass. I read some good reviews about it:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pro ... glass.html

Anybody tried this product?

I am just scared to apply an abrasive cleaner/polish on my wind shield. I will first try on a scratched piece of regular window glass though.

[ImStricken06]

post a pic if you can

[Rogue One]

I have two more scratches. On of them is just on the left side of the rear-view mirror. I honestly have no idea about these scratches. All I did is clean the snow! I can't drive with the glasses covered with snow, right. So my theory is the cars in front of me a throwing the slush/water/mud on the road onto my wind shield. When I clean the snow, the quartz crystals are scratching the glass. But I don't understand, why only my wind shield is scratched. Non of my colleagues at work have such a complain...

There are at least five extremely thin (as thin as a spider web) straight scratches.

Anyway, I found a product called CeriGlass. I read some good reviews about it:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pro ... glass.html

Anybody tried this product?

I am just scared to apply an abrasive cleaner/polish on my wind shield. I will first try on a scratched piece of regular window glass though.

Never heard of the stuff, but it sounded a little to good to be true. I found it on Amazon, and 5 out of 6 people gave it a 5 star rating. http://www.amazon.com/CarPro-CP-126-Cer ... ewpoints=1

Another person on a detailing forum posted they had a problem, but were not trying to remove scratches, just get "a spotless, cleaner, smoother windshield". Unfortunately for him, he let it get too dry and wound up with a very rough glass surface. http://www.live2detail.com/showthread.p ... elp-Please

Testing CeriGlass on a spare piece of ordinary glass may not yield the same results as you might get using it on treated auto glass. But it should give you a good idea of the best way to apply and remove the stuff while avoiding the problem the guy in the one forum encountered.

[Qashqai]

Here is a picture of the two scratches.

[ImStricken06]

lets make sure those are scratches. take a flat razor blade (i promise this is safe. this is how to properly clean a window, prior to tint install) and wet the area with windex, and slid your razor along.

in this fashion: (just take a clean blade in your hand and glide the width of the blade along and on a 45degree angle and try to scrape the scratch off)


but odds are these are scratches from your ice scraper (hence why i never use scrapers on my car)

[Rogue One]

Lets make sure those are scratches. Take a flat razor blade (I promise this is safe. This is how to properly clean a window, prior to tint install) and wet the area with Windex, and slide your razor along.

In this fashion: (Just take a clean blade in your hand and glide the width of the blade along and on a 45 degree angle and try to scrape the scratch off)


But odds are these are scratches from your ice scraper (hence why i never use scrapers on my car).

You're quite correct ImStricken, with a safety razor blade (one edge is capped) and a good glass cleaner, you can remove a lot of gunk the cleaner alone won't budge. The key as you noted is making sure the glass is very wet. It's an old trick I learned using vacuum frames in printing.

BTW, did no one see this post?

OK, here's another find, which would bee a boon for winter months. New coating could make scraping ice from the glass a thing of the past.

Scientists in the U.S. have developed a coating to keep windscreens clear. Mornings spent scraping frost from windscreen could be thing of the past.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... tists.html