Irish2002

Looking for ideas. Not sure there are any? A search of old posts didn't show too much.

The windshield is in really good shape, to look at it. I am the original owner.

The problem I am now noticing is early in the morning, driving directly towards the sun, it's like there are thousands of little "pits" on the windshield, that DO make it difficult to see.

I am talking, like little teeny tiny individual specs, grains of sand small - that just diffuse the sunlight - hundreds or thousands of them?

This is the only time you see these "pits", and the only time it's an issue.

The windshield isn't dirty (although I haven't tried claying it yet), this is either some weird aging of the glass thing, or it's just all the rain and snow and dirt that it's experienced over the years, that's led to this?

Not really looking to replace the windshield.
Not looking for the typical "repair kit" idea -> resins that harden.
Haven't tried Rain-X - not sure it would do much?
Some other clear liquid type product?

Anyone else with a 3G TL noticing anything similar with their windshields and tried anything to address?

01acls

Your only option is to replace the windshield. The pitting is from the sand that's apply to icy roads causing a sand blasting effect. Hence the frosted windshield glare in sun light.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Yes as stated unfortunately no other option but to replace the windshield. I heard it's night and day difference with a new windshield, like cleaning your dirty eyeglasses (if you wear glasses).

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

New windshield time. Fact of life, windshield glass is relatively soft by design and it does pit fairly easily. FWIW, I had a Pilkington windshield put in my 2006 TL two years ago and the total cost was about $240. The new glass is optically perfect, and with the exception of not saying "Honda" like the old one did, there is no way to tell it isn't the original glass from the factory.

srg818

That's the route I went with a new Pilkington windshield and I think the total was $260. A truck took care of my old windshield via rock to bottom corner which created a crack that eventually spread like a lightening bolt across the bottom.

I had only noticed those tiny "pits" after applying a windshield coating and thought wtf are all these white splotches that were made super visible due to the coating.

ifeliciano

IMO. Unless you take out the windshield and have it ground and polished ($$$$) your option is to replace.

thoiboi

What other option is there..? your first sentence literally describes what you want in the second. It's likely just sand/rock chips that has decimated the glass over time..

It's either repair or replace or.. there's always the 'do nothing about it' option

Irish2002

Thanks for the Pilkington suggestions.
Really wanted to avoid replacement, but....
TBH, this car has been babied over the years (less thank 5K miles per year, rarely in harsh environments).
So, it's a bit disappointing, but, thanks for taking the time to reply and the insights.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

To be blunt, you really don't have any options other than deal with the pitted glass or buy a new windshield. Like I wrote earlier, windshield glass is soft, and it is soft for a reason; the harder the glass, the stiffer the glass, the stiffer the glass the higher the brain trauma when your head hits it in an accident.

truonghthe

its a 11 years old car now (2008 model), the glass is subject to pitting regardless of year. If it your once during a weekend car then replace it if that what bug you, as for me it never fail that every time when I got an intact windshield a lost piece rock always find room to chip and making a small crack in my windshield. BTW I don't even follow people close or anything like that.

EddieOnAZ

Consider polishing your windshield if you have a rotary polisher or a high rpm drill. I don't know the extent of the pitting but for light to medium pitting I can't imagine a rotary and some dedicated glass polish wouldn't do the job.

Be careful of heat buildup if you go that route

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Highly unlikely to provide good results, especially for night time driving.

EddieOnAZ

Why would that be? Glass polishing isn't rocket science.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Windshield glass is not like regular glass. I'd lay dollars to donuts any windscreen polished as you suggest will show horrible glare and swirl marks when encountering oncoming traffic.

EddieOnAZ

It's actually a very common thing people do on older cars. I know specifically porsche guys polish their windshields a lot due to either cheap glass or parts unavailability (can't remember).

Have to admit though I've never seen it done on a Honda/Acura.

Here's something I found on the subject. https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ry-buffer.html

Not saying you're wrong btw, for all I know you might be right and night driving might be negatively impacted by this process

Last thought, soft glass is still much, much harder than paint so for someone decent at polishing inducing haze/holograms while polishing glass would take some mighty agressive pads/compounds as well as some careless application methods.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Either way, a brand spanking new windshield can be had installed for about $250; problem solved.

EddieOnAZ

Valid point.

Does 250$ get you an OEM windshield? If that's the case then I really don't see why you'd go any other route really.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

The $250 Pilkington I have on my car is exactly the same as my original Honda glass save the logo; I have no idea what an OEM glass costs.

EddieOnAZ

Then I guess buying a polisher just for this job might not be worth it.

WDPanda

Clean the inside of your windshield. The film of dirt can cause more reduction in view ontop of the pitting.

nfnsquared

No, last time I checked OEM glass would run you over $800. My insurance covered OEM, YMMV.