Help with C2 rear window

[Mike Iachelli]

My rear window is jinxed. When removing trim, somehow pinched the window in exactly the wrong spot with the tool and it exploded!

Found a good correct date coded window and had it installed after primer, before block sanding.

Now see that there are deep scratches on the used window. Do not know if this was an after installation accident or what. The scratches are about 6'' below top of window, curved shaped and 4 to 5 inches long. Appear to be a little deeper than what you might see on a windshield when the wiper arm comes into contact with the glass. Might have been caused by the installer resealing a leak with his chalk gun. The direction and width of the scratches seem to be something like a sharp tool being dragged across two or three times. If it was, it is my fault for not watching and catching this when it happened.

Ordered a glass polish kit from Eastwood Products.

Has anyone tried to polish glass? I imagine it may cause a distortion but the curve the window might mask it. Any tricks to using one of these kits besides being careful and going slow to keep friction/heat to a minimum?

Any other ideas before I give up and try to find a third window??

[Jack H.]

Re: Help with C2 rear window

Expect polishing kit to 'help' with minor glass scratches (definition= you can't catch your finger nail...). Beyond that, it's a fool's errand to try to polish anything deeper.

If you do manage to make a dent, expect to leave a visual depression surround the polished area that'll be readily obvious as well as weakening the glass to the extent it will either break in the plishing process or be prone to breaking with shock/vibration.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Help with C2 rear window

Mike,

------After watching Dale at OEM polish glass many times I can tell you to be prepared to spend a long time buffing. It is just very time consuming but can be done if the scratchs are not too deep.........Bill S

[Wally A.]

Re: Help with C2 rear window

if you can put your fingernail over the scratch and feel it. you can forget polishing it out... sorry to say, just replace...

[Mike Iachelli]

Re: Help with C2 rear window

Thanks for the info. Appears nothing to lose to try to buff the scratches since the window cannot stay on the car in this conditon.

Will post a message on the results.

[Joe R.]

Re: Help with C2 rear window

Hi Mike:

I used an Eastwood kit to remove extensive windshield wiper scratches from my original windshield, and got excellent results. The kit I used had a small fiber pad about 3 inches in diameter that could be mounted in a drill, and a jar of dry polishing compound that had to be mixed with water to create a slurry.

I learned right away that using a drill does not work well, because the spinning pad wants to chatter and it takes considerable effort to keep exactly the right angle to avoid the chatter. I purchased a variable speed "disc grinder" that provides much more control of the angle and stability, and that worked great (cost about $200, though).

The process is very slow because you must avoid heating the glass too much or it will crack. Plan to spend a few hours and just take your time. Also, if you purchase or borrow a disc grinder, get a variable speed one because the recommended speed for polishing is something like 1500 RPM.

[Mike Iachelli]

Re: Help with C2 rear window

Joe, good to hear about the results you had. I plan on having my painter do the grinding since he has the experience and talent with a disk grinder.

Will take before and after shots.