Did i just destroy my windshield?
Discussion
Just purchased my 2013 DB9 and it had 2 spots on the inside of the windshield where inspection stickers once were,
and i tried to remove the left over glue film using citrus cleaner and a scrub pad.
Now i have two big ugly spots remaining.
Is this windshield lined on the inside with some kind of film?
Any ideas?
and i tried to remove the left over glue film using citrus cleaner and a scrub pad.
Now i have two big ugly spots remaining.
Is this windshield lined on the inside with some kind of film?
Any ideas?
Oh dear, you've not done it any favours for sure! You have my sympathy.
I'm assuming you've used the green scouring side of a cleaning sponge? (Or similar). No idea on the specs of a DB9 screen, but I did similar damage to my Golf when I was about 18. I was able to mostly remove it with glass polish, albeit it wasn't as bad as this.
Good luck!
I'm assuming you've used the green scouring side of a cleaning sponge? (Or similar). No idea on the specs of a DB9 screen, but I did similar damage to my Golf when I was about 18. I was able to mostly remove it with glass polish, albeit it wasn't as bad as this.
Good luck!
AM-DB9 said:
yes, my heart about dropped to the ground!
I did use my usual way with the green scrubber.
Is it safe to assume that AM does not apply a film at the factory?
Could this be an aftermarket install?
I think some AM come with a factory tint, but I doubt there would be much/anything on the windscreen. I did use my usual way with the green scrubber.
Is it safe to assume that AM does not apply a film at the factory?
Could this be an aftermarket install?
As far as know it's a standard sandwich laminate screen like most other cars. The glass is soft enough that a scouring pad will damage it, which is what has happened here.
Seriously a proper buff polish should see the worst of it removed, I wouldn't say it's unfixable but it'll take a lot of work and possibly a machine buffer. Give it a go, someone will know the best products, although autoglym probably isn't a bad start.
Alternatively I looked up a replacement cost, seems you can buy a screen for around £1000? But presumably you could put it through insurance?
Don't panic. Assuming all you've done is smear the sticky stuff over a bigger area there's a simple solution that just involves a bit of patience. It will take a couple of stages. Before you start, protect the dashboard with a towel - you don't want to damage it with cleaners.
Stage 1 - white spirit. Using kitchen paper or lint free cloth thoroughly wetted with white spirit wipe inwards towards the centre of that patch. The sticky stuff will continue to smear but some of it will come off onto your paper/cloth. Repeat as necessary, turning your paper/cloth to ensure a fresh surface is used each time. Keep repeating until you're left with a basically clean windscreen but now smeared with white spirit and a little of the remaining sticky stuff. (If this stage proves really awkward you can step things up by using an old toothbrush dipped in white spirit. You'll have to keep wiping the brush to remove crud and re-wet the brush necessary. Fundamentally with inwards, not outwards.)
Stage 2 - methylated spirit. Same process again but using methylated spirit to remove the white spirit and any other remaining residue. You may have to rub quite vigorously to get it shifted.
Stage 3 - if necessary or desirable, clean the whole of the windscreen with proprietary screen cleaner wipes (from your local motor factor, Halfords or Amazon).
Stage 1 - white spirit. Using kitchen paper or lint free cloth thoroughly wetted with white spirit wipe inwards towards the centre of that patch. The sticky stuff will continue to smear but some of it will come off onto your paper/cloth. Repeat as necessary, turning your paper/cloth to ensure a fresh surface is used each time. Keep repeating until you're left with a basically clean windscreen but now smeared with white spirit and a little of the remaining sticky stuff. (If this stage proves really awkward you can step things up by using an old toothbrush dipped in white spirit. You'll have to keep wiping the brush to remove crud and re-wet the brush necessary. Fundamentally with inwards, not outwards.)
Stage 2 - methylated spirit. Same process again but using methylated spirit to remove the white spirit and any other remaining residue. You may have to rub quite vigorously to get it shifted.
Stage 3 - if necessary or desirable, clean the whole of the windscreen with proprietary screen cleaner wipes (from your local motor factor, Halfords or Amazon).
It's either residual adhesive, or the scourer had some scouring powder in it and it's scratched the surface of the glass - which is what it looks like to me. Abrasives are not the way to remove glue, you need solvent.
If it's scratched (run a fingernail over it), then perhaps it could be polished back to shiny. Perhaps a headlight restoration kit would do it?
If it's scratched (run a fingernail over it), then perhaps it could be polished back to shiny. Perhaps a headlight restoration kit would do it?
Was going to say the same as above, if it’s the glass that’s scuffed up, maybe a process of 3000grit wet and dry, then 1500 grit, then 1000 grit, then 800 grit, then cutting paste, then fine polish, much like headlight restoring kits, would be worth a shot.
That’s if it’s not just residue that needs solvent to remove it, to try first.
Good luck!
That’s if it’s not just residue that needs solvent to remove it, to try first.
Good luck!
Don’t use sandpaper yet!!! Glass cutting is a professional activity. Get yourself some Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover and it will almost certainly remove it but will still take time!
I treated myself recently to a full garage cabinet fit out in brushed stainless steel. The cabinets had stickers on them and the residue they left behind took me a week of evenings to remove it (had to cautious as didn’t want to leave the areas ‘polished’).
Edited to add - be careful to keep products away from the A pillar trim! Probably best to a bit of frog tape or masking tape to protect it.
I treated myself recently to a full garage cabinet fit out in brushed stainless steel. The cabinets had stickers on them and the residue they left behind took me a week of evenings to remove it (had to cautious as didn’t want to leave the areas ‘polished’).
Edited to add - be careful to keep products away from the A pillar trim! Probably best to a bit of frog tape or masking tape to protect it.
Edited by W12GT on Sunday 5th November 17:27
My Post panic observations
1. After sleeping on it and having another look, I did not destroy my windshield.
2. I do have a film applied to the inside of my windshield. I was not happy with the look of it in the area I tried to fix, so off to a pro to have it removed.
3. There’s no way AM or any OEM would apply (stick) a film to a windshield, it is illegal in some areas, and also a little cheesy as they would have it sandwiched between the sheets of glass during manufacturing.
4. Since I do live in the AZ desert I will be doing my research on the latest windshield films. The UV/Heat block features of these latest generation clear films are worth a look.
1. After sleeping on it and having another look, I did not destroy my windshield.
2. I do have a film applied to the inside of my windshield. I was not happy with the look of it in the area I tried to fix, so off to a pro to have it removed.
3. There’s no way AM or any OEM would apply (stick) a film to a windshield, it is illegal in some areas, and also a little cheesy as they would have it sandwiched between the sheets of glass during manufacturing.
4. Since I do live in the AZ desert I will be doing my research on the latest windshield films. The UV/Heat block features of these latest generation clear films are worth a look.
AM-DB9 said:
2. I do have a film applied to the inside of my windshield. I was not happy with the look of it in the area I tried to fix, so off to a pro to have it removed.
Well that's a scoop - so when they pull off this interior film, the marks should go with it. In which case, case closed! Simpo Two said:
Krhuangbin said:
3000grit wet and dry, then 1500 grit, then 1000 grit, then 800 grit
Right numbers, wrong order...! I might start at 1500 though and see how it goes as you don't want to make it any worse.Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 5th November 15:21
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