89 944 windshield film

[Franks944]

Hey all, my 89 944 has been a full restoration project. It’s been baking in the sun and cold NY winters for 15 years Atleast untouched. It’s running and driving now after months of work. I noticed the windshield has a clear bra type material/film on the inside. My reg and inspection sticker will not stick to it and it makes driving the car nearly impossible due to the haze and marks. Anyone familiar if the retro glass layers had this clear bra like film on the inside of the window. I want to scrape it all off and see if that helps but not sure if anyone has any recommendations. Thanks!

[wwdwgs]

Could it be a clear UV film? Like a window tint? Most window tints use glue, that remains on the glass and it can be removed with regular rubbing isopropyl alcohol.

[Franks944]

@wwdwgs yea that’s what I was thinking. It must be compromised from sitting unprotected for such a long time. I was just wondering if I should razor blade it off and then clean the glue off after or try and preserve the UV film. I really don’t think I can save it and like I said before, It’s basically impossible to drive with the visibility

[kdjones2000]

That is an extra layer of PVA adhesive they put in for the air bag cars. It is stock.

[Franks944]

@kdjones2000 ahhhh thanks! I saw on another forum mentions of “sekuriflex” so I was wondering if it was that. I reached out to my insurance company to try and get a new windshield. I saw scraping off that layer can lead to the glass shattering if I was involved in an accident or something so I don’t want to remove it

[wwdwgs]

Frank944, normally, all windshields are laminated - a film is sandwiched between two layers of glass. I don't know if Sakurit laminated only on one side (interior). Theoretically, this laminating is better to the occupants, as the glass pieces don't fly around inside the cabin. I could understand that. But oxidation of such a film is a problem.
If you can't replace the glass, see if plastic or vinyl polish could help. Like fogged plastic headlights.

[Franks944]

@wwdwgs thanks! Yea it’s all messed up. I’ll see if I can buff it out but hoping insurance will be useful and let me replace it 🤣

[wwdwgs]

Frank944, if you'll decide to replace with a new one, shop around. When I had to replace windshield, the price varied from $200 (aftermarket) to $1,700 ("genuine").
In your case, it's hard to tell if the film is only on the outside and there is no film in between two glass layers. I googled "sakuriflex" and found nothing.

[Franks944]

@wwdwgs Yea i definitely will. Honestly aftermarket will most likely be my answer. I’ve brought this car back to life mostly mechanically after sitting for 15 years in a guys driveway so it’s not a show car and I’m not looking for any re sale value haha. Just something I can enjoy. Also if you look up “removing Sekuriflex” the first link that pops up on google is for a rennlist discussion back in 2003 about that interior window plastic film and the issues it had which I’m now experiencing involving 944’s and 911’s. Thanks for all the help too I appreciate it!

[wwdwgs]

FranK944, If you will be able to safely remove the existing windshield, examine it for the presence of a film layer between 2 glass ones. I guess, you can inspect the glass' edge. I'm curious, if Porsche just added an extra film layer on regular windshield or this is a special (2-layer) one.
BTW, I used Brothers Auto Glass in Union City NJ 07087, depending on where you are in NY, they may come to you and install the glass. Safelite (that was my first choice) didn't have the windshield for my car.