Boy, a windshield gets really pitted from sand and such then you get tremendous glare. I want to protect the windshield with a hard finish, that will protect the windshield from that fine pitting. I don't mind reapplying it. What product? Expense is not a consideration if it works. Sliding rain droplets is a plus.
What product to protect windshield from road sand on a new car
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gathermewool
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I may be in the minority, but I just make sure not to use my windshield wipers dry, with salt and sand on the windshield. So long as I can see OK, I wait to wash it off with a hose, cleaner or, worst case, at the next gas station, using their squeegees.
Other than that, the only protection I use, is Rain-X, which is basically a light wax. It needs to be applied frequently, but definitely looks and feels better during that rare case when I HAVE to run the squirters to clear the dirty windshield. There's no initial dry-rubbing sound/feel and it keeps the rain off OK, too.
Other than that, the only protection I use, is Rain-X, which is basically a light wax. It needs to be applied frequently, but definitely looks and feels better during that rare case when I HAVE to run the squirters to clear the dirty windshield. There's no initial dry-rubbing sound/feel and it keeps the rain off OK, too.
I didn't know there were deserts in NJ.
Originally Posted by atikovi
I didn't know there were deserts in NJ.
The sand is what they put on the roads in the winter for traction. It also gets picked up by tires and thrown back into the car behind, on the front end and the windshield.
I didn't know there were deserts in NJ.
The sand is what they put on the roads in the winter for traction. It also gets picked up by tires and thrown back into the car behind, on the front end and the windshield.
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Originally Posted by xxch4osxx
Originally Posted by atikovi
I didn't know there were deserts in NJ.
The sand is what they put on the roads in the winter for traction. It also gets picked up by tires and thrown back into the car behind, on the front end and the windshield.
SOMETIMES this can't be avoided...When it happens to me, I back off...WAY off...If you're behind me and don't like it, PLEASE pass me, go ahead, destroy your own car and windshield by running interference for me...you'd be surprised by how people pass me when this occurs. Recently had a guy behind me so lose his cool he almost ate a Concrete truck. Some people leave their brains at home.
Originally Posted by atikovi
I didn't know there were deserts in NJ.
The sand is what they put on the roads in the winter for traction. It also gets picked up by tires and thrown back into the car behind, on the front end and the windshield.
SOMETIMES this can't be avoided...When it happens to me, I back off...WAY off...If you're behind me and don't like it, PLEASE pass me, go ahead, destroy your own car and windshield by running interference for me...you'd be surprised by how people pass me when this occurs. Recently had a guy behind me so lose his cool he almost ate a Concrete truck. Some people leave their brains at home.
Just hope a small rock cracks your windshield so your comprehensive insurance will cover a replacement. It will happen sooner or later. Not much you can do about sand.
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Originally Posted by Ihatetochangeoil
Originally Posted by xxch4osxx
Originally Posted by atikovi
I didn't know there were deserts in NJ.
The sand is what they put on the roads in the winter for traction. It also gets picked up by tires and thrown back into the car behind, on the front end and the windshield.
SOMETIMES this can't be avoided...When it happens to me, I back off...WAY off...If you're behind me and don't like it, PLEASE pass me, go ahead, destroy your own car and windshield by running interference for me...you'd be surprised by how people pass me when this occurs. Recently had a guy behind me so lose his cool he almost ate a Concrete truck. Some people leave their brains at home.
I do this also
Originally Posted by xxch4osxx
Originally Posted by atikovi
I didn't know there were deserts in NJ.
The sand is what they put on the roads in the winter for traction. It also gets picked up by tires and thrown back into the car behind, on the front end and the windshield.
SOMETIMES this can't be avoided...When it happens to me, I back off...WAY off...If you're behind me and don't like it, PLEASE pass me, go ahead, destroy your own car and windshield by running interference for me...you'd be surprised by how people pass me when this occurs. Recently had a guy behind me so lose his cool he almost ate a Concrete truck. Some people leave their brains at home.
I do this also
Originally Posted by gathermewool
I may be in the minority, but I just make sure not to use my windshield wipers dry, with salt and sand on the windshield. So long as I can see OK, I wait to wash it off with a hose, cleaner or, worst case, at the next gas station, using their squeegees.
I think that's some of the most reasonable advice that one can practically expect to follow - don't use the wipers dry. Too much else is way out of one's control. The other obvious thing is to keep the wipers in reasonable shape, so you're not wiping the glass surface with the frame.
I may be in the minority, but I just make sure not to use my windshield wipers dry, with salt and sand on the windshield. So long as I can see OK, I wait to wash it off with a hose, cleaner or, worst case, at the next gas station, using their squeegees.
I think that's some of the most reasonable advice that one can practically expect to follow - don't use the wipers dry. Too much else is way out of one's control. The other obvious thing is to keep the wipers in reasonable shape, so you're not wiping the glass surface with the frame.
Is using sand a NJ thing? Around here they use salt and deicers. And glass is 10 times as hard as paint. If your windshield is so potmarked by sand as to reduce visibility, the paint on your front end would be down to bare metal.
Originally Posted by atikovi
Is using sand a NJ thing? Around here they use salt and deicers. And glass is 10 times as hard as paint. If your windshield is so potmarked by sand as to reduce visibility, the paint on your front end would be down to bare metal.
I've had the same problem in NH. My vehicles generally could use a new windshield after 3 or so years--the original is good for maybe 5, but replacements seem to be softer (probably because I use whatever Safelite uses). Paint on the car, sure it's got pits, but for some reason not nearly as bad as the windshield. There's a bunch of pockmarks that need dabs of paint every spring, but after 5 years you'd think I'd attempted to clean the windshield with a sand blaster.
Very often though a rock will make short work of the windshield and crack it, so it's something of a self-resolving issue.
Is using sand a NJ thing? Around here they use salt and deicers. And glass is 10 times as hard as paint. If your windshield is so potmarked by sand as to reduce visibility, the paint on your front end would be down to bare metal.
I've had the same problem in NH. My vehicles generally could use a new windshield after 3 or so years--the original is good for maybe 5, but replacements seem to be softer (probably because I use whatever Safelite uses). Paint on the car, sure it's got pits, but for some reason not nearly as bad as the windshield. There's a bunch of pockmarks that need dabs of paint every spring, but after 5 years you'd think I'd attempted to clean the windshield with a sand blaster.
Very often though a rock will make short work of the windshield and crack it, so it's something of a self-resolving issue.
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