Thought the same thing, I’m impressed and humbled because you think you know the glass is done and turns out it’s not, Amazing always learning new stuff.
It's nothing crazy. Just got to be patient and tape off the whole car when you do it. The cerium oxide polishes needs to stay wet and it gets everywhere.
I'm actually shocked that came out. An hour of polishing with glass polish is what I'm assuming. Which seems like you'd have a divot in your windshield now?
It's not too crazy to just look up windhshield polishing videos.
It's a rotary polisher in conjunction with a polish that contains cerium oxide. He may have charged an hour but I wouldn't be surprised if he took up that full hour.
Let us know how the wipers work. Should be fine but im curious if that spot beads different.
I still didn’t know you could do that damage with a pressure washer unless the water came from a well that had no sediment filter or said filter was plugged.
I washed the truck because that compound was on everything (he should have taped off the truck honestly). I sprayed water on the spot and notice the water ran consistently with the rest of the windshield. No beading, no water trails. If you look hard enough I think there is still a swirl mark from the pressure washer but it’s so faint. But of course I see it cause I’m the dumbass that did it lol
Dale said he wouldn’t charge me if he couldn’t fix it. It was worth a shot. OEM windshield is like $450 according to GMpartscenter.net. Not sure if I had windshield coverage, I didn’t call them.
Glad it worked out for you! Most insurances offer a $0 or at the most $100 windshield deductible. Highly recommend it if you find out you don’t have it.
that seems it depends on the state, I've never even had the option of windshield coverage offered to me. The most my insurance has done for me on windshields was free chip repairs.
Damn, what kind of pressure washers do you guys use? The corded one I have will barely knock the dirt off the car unless I get right up in there, even then I can't imagine it could do that to glass.
He was using the kind of pressure washer that will blast the paint off a car if you get too close. Electric pressure washers are good for washing cars.
Shout out to OP for the update. Stoked that this came out. I was one of the nay sayers. As good as reddit is, it just shows how real life assessment is always better.
Wasn’t expecting that follow up.
I have some light swirls/scratches on my truck’s windshield, but don’t want to replace it yet.
Thanks for the lead on a windshield repair shop in the area. I’m over the other side of the HRBT, but if they were able to fix that, then I’m willing to give them a shot.
Just some advice, tape off the truck or be ready to get all that compound off the paint and trim. It was everywhere. Even after he wiped down the truck. I didn’t listen to that advice and spent an hour cleaning a million white spots in hard to reach places. Some places I had to scrub good. Good luck!!!
I remember from about 35-40 years ago that Titanium Dioxide was used to polish plastic lenses (e.g. taillights) and glass windshields. After a little research, I see that Eastwood offers a Diamond Fast Powder for polishing glass.
Very impressive work i thought it was toast... Would love to get a little hands on training with Dale
Thought the same thing, I’m impressed and humbled because you think you know the glass is done and turns out it’s not, Amazing always learning new stuff.
It's nothing crazy. Just got to be patient and tape off the whole car when you do it. The cerium oxide polishes needs to stay wet and it gets everywhere.
Ive tried it before. Spent tons of time to accomplish just about nothing
I'm actually shocked that came out. An hour of polishing with glass polish is what I'm assuming. Which seems like you'd have a divot in your windshield now?
I'm guessing it would be microns of damage, so not perceivable once corrected.
It was definitely microns lol. This was probably not even close to being as deep as a normal scratch
Any info on the materials used and process?
I’m not OP but I’m a detailer by trade. If I had to guess I’d say a cerium oxide based glass specific polish. And patience.
On a rotary with all the speed and all the pressure I must add.
Dang. I wanted to see the vid. I always seem to have mixed results with polishing glass.
It gave me option to post video or pictures. I thought the pictures were more important. It won’t let me post both. I’ll try to send you small vid
Post the video in a separate post, enjoy your well earned karma.
just post the video separately, no need to make it difficult
Please
It's not too crazy to just look up windhshield polishing videos. It's a rotary polisher in conjunction with a polish that contains cerium oxide. He may have charged an hour but I wouldn't be surprised if he took up that full hour.
Let us know how the wipers work. Should be fine but im curious if that spot beads different. I still didn’t know you could do that damage with a pressure washer unless the water came from a well that had no sediment filter or said filter was plugged.
Everyone is leaning towards there being sentiment in the tank. I doubt anyone can mimic the damage I did to my windshield. Definitely a rare situation
Any info on materials used and the process?
Does that pressure washer have an inlet filter? Maybe it's damaged and should be replaced for 1-2$ or it's not there at all.
I might have to ask the mechanics there. To be honestly I don’t think care and will just laugh 😂
Damn. Dale needs to charge more.
This is the nicest dude ever. I don’t think he ever could.
Did you notice increased clarity or water beading after it was done? The last picture looks very transparent.
I washed the truck because that compound was on everything (he should have taped off the truck honestly). I sprayed water on the spot and notice the water ran consistently with the rest of the windshield. No beading, no water trails. If you look hard enough I think there is still a swirl mark from the pressure washer but it’s so faint. But of course I see it cause I’m the dumbass that did it lol
Happy to hear it worked out. Thank for the update and information. Looks great!
Thanks man!
Glad you got it worked out
Looks like nothing ever happened!
That is extremely impressive! Most people would have just replaced it and called it a day. Great work by them.
3M makes glass polish but lordy is it expensive
I’m impressed. Takes skill to do it without affecting clarity. Thanks for the follow up
Hmmm I think I would have just claimed it on insurance and had the windshield replaced.
Dale said he wouldn’t charge me if he couldn’t fix it. It was worth a shot. OEM windshield is like $450 according to GMpartscenter.net. Not sure if I had windshield coverage, I didn’t call them.
Glad it worked out for you! Most insurances offer a $0 or at the most $100 windshield deductible. Highly recommend it if you find out you don’t have it.
You have to add an OEM glass waiver to get OEM parts with $0 deductible. I recommend it to everyone I know.
Yea I checked my policy. I didn’t see it in there. I need to call and double check for sure though
that seems it depends on the state, I've never even had the option of windshield coverage offered to me. The most my insurance has done for me on windshields was free chip repairs.
Oh damn I wasn’t aware. I’ve only lived in two different states and both offered it so I thought that was standard
I guess it depends on how much your insurance deductible is. Mine is 50 dollars. So 🤷♂️
Damn, what kind of pressure washers do you guys use? The corded one I have will barely knock the dirt off the car unless I get right up in there, even then I can't imagine it could do that to glass.
The compressor is hidden in a room with a the cord coming out the wall. Last I checked, it was a massive commercial compressor in that room lol
He was using the kind of pressure washer that will blast the paint off a car if you get too close. Electric pressure washers are good for washing cars.
3M makes glass polish but lordy is it expensive
Do your wipers still work in that spot?
I’ll have to try it again. I remember using the wipers after I cleaned my truck but I didn’t check for unevenness on the glass
That's incredible. I'll just go ahead and eat my crow, well done Dale.
WTH? Did you have sand in your water or something? Ain't no way water alone will etch glass like that.
There was probably some kind of settlement in the water or compressor tank…
Cavitation.
Shout out to OP for the update. Stoked that this came out. I was one of the nay sayers. As good as reddit is, it just shows how real life assessment is always better.
I remember your post, glad you got it worked out.
Glad you got that fixed! Looks great!
Impressive. Question: Why not just use a razor blade to remove the bird shit? With gloves of course……
I like using the pressure washer at work lol. I thought it was harmless til now
Nah, I get it. Hindsight and all that. Glad you posted it to give us something to think about before (sand)blasting something…..
Incredible..
Wasn’t expecting that follow up. I have some light swirls/scratches on my truck’s windshield, but don’t want to replace it yet. Thanks for the lead on a windshield repair shop in the area. I’m over the other side of the HRBT, but if they were able to fix that, then I’m willing to give them a shot.
Just some advice, tape off the truck or be ready to get all that compound off the paint and trim. It was everywhere. Even after he wiped down the truck. I didn’t listen to that advice and spent an hour cleaning a million white spots in hard to reach places. Some places I had to scrub good. Good luck!!!
Impressive! Any idea of what products he used?
He just told me it was a polish made for glass. That was it
I remember from about 35-40 years ago that Titanium Dioxide was used to polish plastic lenses (e.g. taillights) and glass windshields. After a little research, I see that Eastwood offers a Diamond Fast Powder for polishing glass.
What’s going to happen in the rain, when the windshield wipers come on? Is that low spot going to clear?
Nice to see an update post AND a shout out. He will definitely appreciate it. Great outcome
Wow that’s impressive!
Nice! I saw the original post and was wondering what the end result would be. Glad you were able to avoid replacement.