My Windshield Says - HELP!

[Mojori]

I'm a bit embarrassed that I could have been so uninformed, but there have been times when I have run my windshield wipers while I was inside my car during a dust storm on The Playa. Bad move. Now my windshield is scratched.

The scratched area is in the shape of the sweep of my wiper blades. You can't see this abrasion during the day, but at night street lamps and oncoming headlights create VERY bright refraction auras around each point of illumination viewable through the windshield.

Does anyone know if there is an option to fix this problem other than replacing the windshield? Is there a way to polish out the scratched area?

Thanks a million in advance and please don't derive too much amusement from my foolishness. Ouch!

[Elliot]

Shop for a friendly price on a new windshield. Some store might try to sell you a polishing kit, which does exist, but in my experience these are useless for anything but the tiniest faintest scratch. And for a larger area you would need many kits and several days of awkward labor. And even if you could eventually polish out the scratches you would never achieve a level surface, so it would be like looking thru a fun-house mirror. YMMV, but....

[ranger magnum]

What Elliot said..

[ygmir]

agreed. I've seen good used windshields for under 100 bucks installed.

[Sham]

You might check with your insurance company. In Massachusetts, all glass is covered whether you have got collision on the vehicle or not. The comprehensive section pays for any broken glass. If it's covered, there may need to be a crack in the windshield to have it replaced.

Interesting note; last year, there was a Pershing County Sheriff vehicle that had the rear wiper running constantly, and pretty scored from the dust. I told the cop driving that it was on, and he couldn't figure out how to shut it off. He said it's been going all week, but that the vehicles were just rented for this event so he "didn't really give a shit".

[BBadger]

First of all, check whether your auto-insurance will cover the replacement/repair of your windshield. They're often open to the idea because windshield visibility is a safety/liability issue, and someone who takes care of his/her windshield is usually someone who is or strives to be a safer driver.

To do it yourself, given the particle size of the dust on the playa you can probably polish it out. See if you can attempt what this guy did with parts that cost under $50 total.

[knowmad]

Interesting note; last year, there was a Pershing County Sheriff vehicle that had the rear wiper running constantly, and pretty scored from the dust. I told the cop driving that it was on, and he couldn't figure out how to shut it off. He said it's been going all week, but that the vehicles were just rented for this event so he "didn't really give a shit".

IMHO FWIW That is exactly the kind of info that should go into a Police Report.

But on a topic:
my second year while setting up I saw some one Smearing a thin Film of Dish soap in their windows. When I asked them why they said; "it will collect a layre of playa, that will shade the inside of the car, and at the end of the week we use water and a soft shower shammi to rinse the film off, let it dry and then drive off. keeps from scratching the window."

I don't know how good of an Idea this is on a few levels? but didn't follow up on it.

[theCryptofishist]

Yeah, sounds like it might hit the playa...

[ygmir]

I wonder if a spritz of water, and celophane/saran wrap would work the same?

[knowmad]

How did that old Burnerisim go?
If you don't want it broken, stolen, lost, fucked or a hole in it don't bring it to the playa.

[Mojori]

Wow. A heartfelt THANK YOU to you all for your feedback. It is very much appreciated!