[Freemorfeem]

Got my 335i a month ago. Had it shipped to me from Florida.

The windshield never gets clean with regular window cleaner. It's totally speckled with what appears to be granules baked into the glass, like tiny bubbles.

It's not smooth to tough either.

Any tips and tricks to restore the windshield?

Thanks!

[tcphoto]

It could likely be the climate it lived in, does it look sandblasted?

[Freemorfeem]

Originally Posted by tcphoto

It could likely be the climate it lived in, does it look sandblasted?

it does!

[tcphoto]

Living near the beach or desert will do this to the glass.

[Freemorfeem]

Any ideas on fixing it?

[whyzee125]

Did your car come from the rust belt? Super common as the e90's glass is very soft and will end up completely pitted from salt spray on the road.

The only way to fix it is to install a new windshield.

[Freemorfeem]

It came from Florida. The car is nearly rust free.

What about using a steel wool pads on the windshield? Ever tried it? I wonder if a clay bar could help?

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by Freemorfeem

It came from Florida. The car is nearly rust free.

What about using a steel wool pads on the windshield? Ever tried it? I wonder if a clay bar could help?

Steel wool will scratch, you could try polishing but I've never seen that really work. Florida car also makes sense as it's near the ocean--the salt spray will do that.

I'd just replace the windshield.

[Thumbie]

What is your insurance like?

I had a few gnarly rock chips in mine, but my insurance covers windshield replacement, less a $100 copay. And it doesn't affect premiums.

Worth it to reach out to them and ask.

[Freemorfeem]

Originally Posted by Thumbie

What is your insurance like?

I had a few gnarly rock chips in mine, but my insurance covers windshield replacement, less a $100 copay. And it doesn't affect premiums.

Worth it to reach out to them and ask.

Excellent point! I will look into my policy for sure. Thanks!

[Lucky1]

I've had this happen to three of my cars and replaced 2 out of 3 windshields so far. Wish I had spoken to my insurance company first though just to check if and how they cover it to see if its worth it. Now to see how long it will be before they are sandblasted again. Two of the cars had it after 40,000 miles and only one of those two sees winter. I have a feeling its the fact that I do nearly 90% highway driving (and perhaps very spirited driving at that).

[Thumbie]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I've had this happen to three of my cars and replaced 2 out of 3 windshields so far. Wish I had spoken to my insurance company first though just to check if and how they cover it to see if its worth it. Now to see how long it will be before they are sandblasted again. Two of the cars had it after 40,000 miles and only one of those two sees winter. I have a feeling its the fact that I do nearly 90% highway driving (and perhaps very spirited driving at that).

The silent downside of "all highway miles"...

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Freemorfeem

It came from Florida. The car is nearly rust free.

What about using a steel wool pads on the windshield? Ever tried it? I wonder if a clay bar could help?

You'll only be wasting your time.

Steel wool, clay bar, polishing compounds, even cerium oxide will not take out those pits.
(these methods are good for glass surface contamination such as water spots, very vey light scuffs, and other contaminants)


Glass replacement is your only solution.

[Lucky1]

How often do you guys end up replacing windshields for this in general? Guess there's no practical "screen protector" like solution or ongoing maintenance to prevent this from happening at all? Asking as a guy who appreciates clear glass and is suddenly finding himself replacing them.

[bcmfla]

Originally Posted by Freemorfeem

Got my 335i a month ago. Had it shipped to me from Florida.

The windshield never gets clean with regular window cleaner. It's totally speckled with what appears to be granules baked into the glass, like tiny bubbles.

It's not smooth to tough either.

Any tips and tricks to restore the windshield?

Thanks!

As someone who likes clean cars and moved to florida 6 years ago it's a real challenge. I think it's best to coat the windshield. I never had as many issues with windshields. I believe it's the super pave mix on the highways.

[Freemorfeem]

Originally Posted by bcmfla

As someone who likes clean cars and moved to florida 6 years ago it's a real challenge. I think it's best to coat the windshield. I never had as many issues with windshields. I believe it's the super pave mix on the highways.

Cool, but what does it mean to "coat the windshield"? And is that preventative or restorative?

[bcmfla]

Originally Posted by Freemorfeem

Cool, but what does it mean to "coat the windshield"? And is that preventative or restorative?

You can use ceramics on the windshield. Personally I don't have mine coated but I would have had I known.

[Freemorfeem]

Originally Posted by bcmfla

You can use ceramics on the windshield. Personally I don't have mine coated but I would have had I known.

Will the ceramic fill in the tiny speckles everywhere? Or is it just preventative the next time I buy a new windshield?

Thanks for the tip!

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by Freemorfeem

Will the ceramic fill in the tiny speckles everywhere? Or is it just preventative the next time I buy a new windshield?

Thanks for the tip!

Nothing is going to fix the glass, it needs to be replaced. Ceramic can help to protect the new glass in the future but with a GA car it shouldn’t happen again.

[X-pertDemon]

Depending on how bad it is, ceramic would probably help as it does do some "filling-in", you'd need to go to a shop to do it though. The DIY stuff won't help, it would probably cheaper to replace unfortunately.

[michaelalex17]

Replace it. Even if your able to polish some of it out the light refraction will be messed up when oncoming cars have their lights on. As others have said most insurance policies include glass coverage.