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How do you clay block a winshield? Got bad night glare issues on a low milage sc, only 21k, the windhield has glare problems, would like to try any alternatives prior to replacement. It's an '83 cab, scared of leaking problems far more than the $320 for a new one. Thanks for your guidance.

Do you mean clay bar?

You would use the same method as on paint. Lots of lubricant and do a small section at a time.



Before you try that, try this:

Use dish soap with 0000 steel wool. Mix the soap with water and then dip the wool into the mixture. Scrub the glass in a side to side or up and down motions, not circular. Dry completely(I use newspaper but a towel will work) and then apply rain-x liberally. If you have scratches that you can see with the naked eye you will need to get a bit more aggressive. I have used Bar Keeper's Friend with good results on our BMW and the 911. The BMW had wiper marks when we got it and while not completely gone, they are not as noticeable.


That takes care of the outside. For the inside:
Again, use your dish soap but no steel wool. The soap will take off grease and plastic residue that accumulates over time. Do not apply anything to the inside glass, though. I use a damp towel each time I wash the car to wipe it down and then go over it with newspaper or just a dry towel.

Hope this helps. :)

Clay is easy to use. Just use a lubricant like spray detailer, soak the windshield, work the clay back and forth like sandpaper. It removes surface contaminants, and will leave the glass as smooth as, well, glass. If that doesn't work for glare, try some of the various glass polishes out there. Just don't polish the inside of tinted windows.

Are you sure it is the outer glass surface that is the culprit. You could have an issue with the mylar foil laminated between the two glass panes. I would be very carefull. I scratched a brand-new windshield once with a Scotch pad trying to remove dried bird sh|t. :mad:

Thanks for the advice, windshield got some sand abuse, in florida, I think it can be redone without replacing the glass. Any suggestions as above would be greatly appreciatied.

Eastwood has a glass polishing kit that looks intrigueing I was going to get until I decided to replace my windshield.

No wiper scratches at all, just evening sun and on comming lights create a glare problem, hate to replace it w/o trying all other methods. They are like small triangular images that reflect the sun or on comming lights. Perhaps to late to repair, but I'd like to attempt before replacing the galss.

I have tried the Griots Garage windshield polish w/ a high speed buffer as well as other compounds and have found nothing takes out the sand pits. The water spots buffed out but the pits stayed. I plan on replacing mine as it is a PIA at night.

I tried a product called Detailer's Pride High Performance Glass Restorer that worked very well.

I've had good luck using a clay bar. It takes the dirt out of the pits and that helps them 'disappear', especially at night. After using the bar I wash the window with water w/vinegar mixed in and newspapers. This works great on the inside of the window too.

Clay bars do great work on windshields, headlight lens, almost anything that you want to be as smooth as possible. Soapy, clean water in a little bowl works great as a lubricant. Be sure and fold the clay bar on itself every couple minutes so you are using 'fresh' clay as much as possible. FYI, clay doesnt reform too well in cooler air so either have a hair dryer on hand or do the work in a heated garage.