[Tigers] Windshield - repair or replace?

[Tom Witt]

My experience with removing scratches from glass that seemingly has even 
minor scratches is that it can not come out.  They say it you drag your 
fingernail and can feel the scratch it is permanent.  And that is my 
experience.  I even used the recommended Cerium Oxide that jewelers use on 
watch crystals. And I'm talking about spending 2+ hours on one, inch long 
scratch.  Thus, imaging getting numerous pits out.  Also, you are removing 
glass along with the scratch so that can leave voids as the wiper blade 
crosses the glass. Voids that can distort the vision too.

I can't speak for all cars, but I have a '64 Studebaker Daytona.  '64-'66 
was the last year they made cars. The supply of windshields is VERY 
limited - and more like can you even find one???  I had to opt for two 
scratched, pitted and bullseyed windshields that took a year to find 400 
miles from home. Anymore when I find windshields cheap ($20 OTD at a Pick A 
Part 50% off sale) for my so called collector cars, I get them, and store 
them in a safe place.  Not too many vendors out there want to stock 
inventory that trickles out the door.

Buy the glass, even if you have the problems Jay had.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Jay Laifman
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 5:29 PM
To: Randall Antosiak
Cc: tigers at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Tigers] Windshield - repair or replace?

I replaced the windshield on my Alpine about 20 years ago.  At that time,
all the available windshields from all the suppliers came from one source.
And the glass itself was a little bit thinner than the stock glass.  As a
result, the rubber and the stainless did not fit exactly right.  I even had
to trim the stainless to fit again - not something I was remotely pleased
with.

When I did this, I would pop the original glass in with the new rubber and
it would all fit just fine.  It was definitely the thickness.  I remember
asking around, and talking to Rick and he said there were no other sources
at that time.

I don't know if it is any different now.  But one huge warning. Don't dare
buy the rubber from VB.  Actually I don't buy anything from VB if I can
help it.  I've been bitten way too many times with stuff that doesn't fit
right: carpet, rubber, tonneau, servo, etc.

Jay


On Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 5:22 PM, Randall Antosiak <randya at pacbell.net>wrote:

> Hey Guys -
> I'm at the tail end of my 18 year restoration of my Mk 1A, and
> I've noticed the windshield is pitted and hazy.  There are a bunch of
> websites
> selling products for windshield restoration - anyone recommend this sort 
> of
> thing?   If I want to replace the windshield, supposedly Victoria British
> is
> selling new windshields for a pretty low price, although I have no idea if
> these are any good.   Recommendations?
>
> Thanks,
> Randy