hyperjoe

All,

I'm not sure how it happened, but sometime between when I moved from CA to ND (24 Oct) (I know, poor C6), and the prior Sunday (6 Jan) when I took it for its last drive before summertime (temps were in the mid-40s that day so I had to get it some exercise and wash it), some vertical lines appeared on the passenger side of my windshield (my drivers' side already has a trio of rock chips from CA driving).

I washed the car later that day and it doesn't appear that solved the streak/scratch mark problem. I had the car covered from early december through the day I drove it. I'm concerned about what caused it, but I don't think I can figure it out.

Any suggestions?

JR

Silverspeed

Maybe some pebbles/dirt/sand caught in the windshield wiper? Hard to tell with no pics.

GotVett?

Noticed a couple in mine about 6 mos. months back, as well. One day while I was driving, the sun hit the windshield just right and I saw them. Got really mad about it, knowing I keep the car detailed better than showroom.

Can only chalk it up to "PWQC" (poor windshield quality control). Finally said screw it and forgot about it.

gota07

If the lines are vertical, it wouldn't be caused by the wipers. It sounds more like something that happened while washing it by hand, or using a squeegee.

vetdude

....or a local cat with sharp claws perhaps?

MNVette

Lots of Vettes get this - you've etched the glass somehow - either via dirt/pebbles on the wipers or in whatever you used to wash the glass. It is permanent, I'm afraid. I have a couple on mine when I used the wipers to remove some cr*p from the glass - oops. Nothing to do about it except accept it.

PAvetter

I wouldn't want to run into that cat!!

FortMorganAl

We need pics but... Have you ever applied any coating to the windshield? Sometimes wax which is easily scratched off on glass can look like a scratch in the glass but is easy to remove. Can you catch a fingernail on the scratches?

GotVett?

If he didn't do it, as in my case, lets not forget the great dealership "detail guy", who could win the prize.

vetdude

After thinking about this for awhile, I think I've discovered the root of your scratch problem:

Are the scratches on the passenger side? Bet you dollar-to-a-donut it was done by the dealer prep dude using a razor blade to remove the window sticker or other documents from inside the windshield (placed in that spot by the factory on all Vettes). One has to be very careful when using a razor blade on the glass since it will gouge it if not done properly. Happened to a '98 C5 I bought new.

hyperjoe

Would putting a car cover on the car with stuff like that on the windshield (unbeknownst to me) cause that type of issue over the period of a few weeks?

I surmise I'll just have to live with it until I have to get a new windshield?

That sucks male body parts...

GotVett?

BIINGO!

Painrace

My first C6Z had a scratch. The dealer paid a guy to come to my work and polish it out. He did a perfect job. All I had to do was wash the powder off when i got home.

Mark S.

You can try the polishing method with a buffer...however, be forewarned...on one of my old Mustangs I had a guy who came out to buff out some horizontal hairline scratches in the windshield (could not feel them with your fingernail)...he used a cerium oxide paste with a high speed buffer. He got the scratches out and I paid him his $60. After I washed the Stang, I pulled out of the driveway and low and behold I had a 6 inch horizontal width of DISTORTION in my windshield...needless to say, I ended up replacing the windshied. Now, my current Mustang GT has a small 4 inch hairline scratch just below my field of vision and I will not chance trying to get that buffed out again (I only see when the light hits it at certain angles). And believe me I am just as careful (as far as detailing) with the Stang as I am with the Vette.

The point is...if someone does buff out your windshield, they had best know what they're doing...it doesn't take much to cause distortion in your windshield...be very careful.