V6 "New Shape" windscreen replacement.

[Ron Miel]

The windscreen exterior on my "new shape" (2000/2001) SG5W is getting quite badly micro-pitted, making driving into low sun at this time of year, more than a bit "iffy", so I'll have to get it changed - hopefully, under insurance cover.

I know that several peeps have had windscreen replacements done by Autoglass, and there's an Autoglass part number quoted in a topic thread somewhere. However, Lush Projects shows a different Mazda part number for one "old shape" Bongo variant" and all post-September 1999 "new shape" variants, relative to most "old shapes". Anybody had a "new shape" screen replaced, and if so, have you got an invoice with the Autoglass part number?

Cheers.

[Ron Miel]

Further reading suggests there's a chance that the problem is one of strongly bonded surface contaminants (tree sap, pesticide spray, or whatever), rather than pitting (acid rain, road gritting/salting, dodgy wipers.....) and that, if so, clay bar treatment might fix it. Am therefore going to try that before visiting Autoglass. Anybody successfully used clay bar on a windscreen?

[mikexgough]

Anybody successfully used clay bar on a windscreen?

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/sh ... indshields

If you do David.....use a Meguiars bar.... best out there for the money..... unless you have tons of cash to throw at a Zymol one.... You can get Meg's products at Halfrauds these days....

[helen&tony]

Hi
David...tut tut...parking the Bongo under trees.. ...Have you tried thinners, and one of those razor-blade scrapers in a handle?...or there's perspex-polish???...as for motorbike screens and visors...works a treat!...
I think the clue as to whether it is surface contaminants is when you've washed the car, if you can see the wiper-arcs when it's dry, it's likely to be surface-crud...otherwise, I have known windscreens to degrade where they are laminated....but only on older vehicles....
Good luck with the claying/ polishing, whatever
Cheers
Helen

[Ron Miel]

Ta Mike - just bought T-Cut clay bar kit before lunch!

More likely cause Helen, if due to surface contaminants, is recent six months refurbishment of (upwind) house next door, inside and out - more builder's chemical stuff flying about than you can shake a stick at, including cement dust I spent a less than happy afternoon, immediately, cleaning off paintwork and glass. Not that as such, I think though, as it was a.) pretty obvious well-dispersed and significant sized spotting, much bigger than the the tiny marks or pits I've got now, and b.) very thoroughly/quickly removed.

It still could be in the glass (but doesn't really look deep enough to be laminate breakdown) but I'll try the clay bar in the next day or three, first - cheaper than the £100 glass excess on my policy, even if insurance covered. Haven't noticed wiper sweep marks after washing, in fact I didn't notice anything until driving south against low/bright sun last week.

Cheers both, David

[jaylee]

Ta Mike - just bought T-Cut clay bar kit before lunch!

More likely cause Helen, if due to surface contaminants, is recent six months refurbishment of (upwind) house next door, inside and out - more builder's chemical stuff flying about than you can shake a stick at, including cement dust I spent a less than happy afternoon, immediately, cleaning off paintwork and glass. Not that as such, I think though, as it was a.) pretty obvious well-dispersed and significant sized spotting, much bigger than the the tiny marks or pits I've got now, and b.) very thoroughly/quickly removed.

It still could be in the glass (but doesn't really look deep enough to be laminate breakdown) but I'll try the clay bar in the next day or three, first - cheaper than the £100 glass excess on my policy, even if insurance covered. Haven't noticed wiper sweep marks after washing, in fact I didn't notice anything until driving south against low/bright sun last week.

Cheers both, David

Don't forget to check yer tires if they have been skipping stuff in the road too! Plasterboard nails are a classic...

[Ron Miel]

Don't forget to check yer tires if they have been skipping stuff in the road too! Plasterboard nails are a classic...

Tyres good - and very regularly checked, having an LPG tank where the spare should be

[Ron Miel]

Ta Mike - just bought T-Cut clay bar kit before lunch!

More likely cause Helen, if due to surface contaminants, is recent six months refurbishment of (upwind) house next door, inside and out - more builder's chemical stuff flying about than you can shake a stick at, including cement dust I spent a less than happy afternoon, immediately, cleaning off paintwork and glass. Not that as such, I think though, as it was a.) pretty obvious well-dispersed and significant sized spotting, much bigger than the the tiny marks or pits I've got now, and b.) very thoroughly/quickly removed.

It still could be in the glass (but doesn't really look deep enough to be laminate breakdown) but I'll try the clay bar in the next day or three, first - cheaper than the £100 glass excess on my policy, even if insurance covered. Haven't noticed wiper sweep marks after washing, in fact I didn't notice anything until driving south against low/bright sun last week.

Cheers both, David

Clay bar dead good!

Ten minutes work, and perfect windscreen again, facing into low sun late this afternoon.

Phew!