What are the effects of polishing a car windshield?
4 Answers
The effects of polishing a car windshield are: 1. The windshield becomes thinner; 2. Fine lines may appear; 3. Maintenance capability and hardness may deteriorate. The method for replacing the front windshield is: 1. Use a screwdriver to remove the black protective strips around the windshield; 2. Use a steel wire to pull apart the sealant around the entire windshield; 3. Use a small blade to scrape off any black sealant remaining on the car; 4. Apply polyurethane sealant to the frame of the car windshield; 5. Install the windshield. The functions of the windshield are: 1. To shield against wind and rain, and to reduce noise; 2. To lower wind resistance and improve airflow; 3. To protect the safety of the vehicle's occupants.
Last time I tried polishing my windshield and noticed the biggest improvement was significantly enhanced light transmission. The view became exceptionally clear when driving on highways - all those fine hairline scratches disappeared, and visibility wasn't compromised during rainy/snowy weather due to cloudy glass. However, I should remind you that polishing actually removes a layer of glass, making the surface thinner, which might make it more prone to cracking upon small stone impacts. After polishing, I noticed slightly more glare from opposing headlights at night, which a professional technician later explained was caused by altered surface patterns affecting light refraction. For deep scratches, polishing is indeed effective, but minor scratches might be tolerable since original factory glass is more durable. It's best to have the shop apply a glass coating protection layer afterward - this can extend the protection for about two more years.
Windshield polishing depends heavily on professionalism. My neighbor's car developed water ripple patterns after polishing - traffic lights appeared distorted at night, likely due to uneven sanding. Once the protective coating on the glass surface is worn away, wiper blades tend to leave water streaks, making it harder to clean during rain. The upside is that superficial oil films and oxidation layers get completely removed, restoring daytime clarity like new glass. The polishing process only removes a thickness equivalent to a strand of hair, without compromising structural safety. I recommend choosing reputable shops for this procedure rather than DIY attempts. For three months post-polishing, avoid using stiff brushes when washing the car as the fresh surface becomes extremely scratch-prone. Weekly application of glass hydrophobic coating is ideal for maintenance.
My car's glass has been polished: the scratches are gone, and the view is clear. However, the surface scratch resistance has decreased, so be careful when washing. The loss of polishing thickness is minimal and does not affect strength. Light refraction may change slightly, requiring some adaptation for night driving. Applying a protective coating can maintain the effect for up to two years.
