Windshield Pitting
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: West Newton, MA
Solarbeam Yellow 2016 AMG GTS
Windshield Pitting
How are your windshields holding up? I just came from a 2000 mi trip through Canada. The car has 4500 mi on it or so and I am seeing a lot of fine pitting. My observation is that the glass might be fairly brittle. Or is it just me?
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From: Springboro, OH
16 GLC 19 Volvo XC40 06Corvette Z06
My experience is, if you keep your vehicle for a long time...high mileage, expect to replace the windscreen. Just replaced the windscreen on my 13 year old, 60,000 mile Vette.
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2018 AMG GTS, 2015 911 GT3, 2017 E300, 2014 X3 35i
Can you take a closeup photo of the pitting? I've been dailying my 18 for the past year and haven't noticed any pitting and I'm meticulous about wiping down my windshield with glass cleaner a few times a week so I pay close attention to the glass.
I heard the protective film is noticeable or affects the clarity looking through the windshield?
I heard the protective film is noticeable or affects the clarity looking through the windshield?
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Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Delray Beach, FL
'18 AMG GTC, '96 BMW 318i, '25 Ram RHO
I have clearplex and love it for preserving my windshield in its original state. I do not notice any distortions or clarity issues. You can detect it by examining the edges of my windshield, also I have 2 small bubbles near the edge that haven't yet dissolved. It is easy to clean, but I do need to treat it more like a ppf surface than a glass one. I strongly recommend it.
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2023 Urus Performante 2018 Huracan Perf. - 2017 Ferrari 488 GTB
Can you take a closeup photo of the pitting? I've been dailying my 18 for the past year and haven't noticed any pitting and I'm meticulous about wiping down my windshield with glass cleaner a few times a week so I pay close attention to the glass.
I heard the protective film is noticeable or affects the clarity looking through the windshield?
I heard the protective film is noticeable or affects the clarity looking through the windshield?
In the garage turn off all the lights and shine a flashlight on it at an angle and you'll see them. Oh yes you will see them.
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From: Dallas, TX
2016 AMG GT-S | 2016 Ferrari F12
I have clearplex and love it for preserving my windshield in its original state. I do not notice any distortions or clarity issues. You can detect it by examining the edges of my windshield, also I have 2 small bubbles near the edge that haven't yet dissolved. It is easy to clean, but I do need to treat it more like a ppf surface than a glass one. I strongly recommend it.
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2018 AMG GTS, 2015 911 GT3, 2017 E300, 2014 X3 35i
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Joined: Jun 2017
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2018 AMG GTS, 2015 911 GT3, 2017 E300, 2014 X3 35i
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2023 Urus Performante 2018 Huracan Perf. - 2017 Ferrari 488 GTB
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From: Metro Vancouver Area
19 AMG GT R, 20 Porsche Cayenne
which part of Canada did you go? I don’t know the situation in other area but if you tour through greater Vancouver area and most BC roads/hwys, that’s how bad the road conditions are. I was doing my preparation work for my 911 for winter storage last week, there are hundreds of chips on paint surfaces and of course the windshield. This summer along I have had 5 bad windshield chips that lead to 2 replacements already. I am pretty sure this time I will do PPF when my GT R arrives
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: West Newton, MA
Solarbeam Yellow 2016 AMG GTS
There are numerous little pits on the windshield. I will try to take a picture later. Very small but yet there they are under my LED high intensity bulbs in my garage (there is my ignorance problem, I guess.....LOL) . The glass roof seems to have no issues in the front; probably a different strength of glass. The car is fully wrapped in Expel, but not the windshield as I heard mixed stories about it: Scratches easily (wipers) and clarity issues; but perhaps worth a shot. I will bring it up with MB and see what they have to say about it. I do not like replacing windshields due it being a structural item to the body on cars like this. We may end up in a situation where the windshield becomes crack prone due to stresses induced when it is replaced. My friend with an i8 had exactly this effect after he replaced his.
I was in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (big rally, 2k mi). The roads were actually in a real good condition (and awesome). I must say I was driving with 20 other high performance cars that tend to kick up muck from the Pilot Sports but I was actively switching lanes and keeping distance to minimize that. Still, it is pretty bad for 4k mi on the clock. I had a 92k mi E60 M5 that had no signs of this at 50k mi and I own a 328xi as well that has 100k on it that is not bad either. I believe something is up with the windshield glass hardness on the GTS. Hence my probing.
I was in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (big rally, 2k mi). The roads were actually in a real good condition (and awesome). I must say I was driving with 20 other high performance cars that tend to kick up muck from the Pilot Sports but I was actively switching lanes and keeping distance to minimize that. Still, it is pretty bad for 4k mi on the clock. I had a 92k mi E60 M5 that had no signs of this at 50k mi and I own a 328xi as well that has 100k on it that is not bad either. I believe something is up with the windshield glass hardness on the GTS. Hence my probing.
Last edited by rt7085; Sep 8, 2018 at 06:58 AM.
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From: Delray Beach, FL
'18 AMG GTC, '96 BMW 318i, '25 Ram RHO
Anyone who looks very closely can detect the Clearplex. The casual observer will not. Similar to ppf. The edges at the top and side line up very closely, although you can see small bubbles if you look. The edge at the bottom is not quite as close and also shows small bubbles. If I left it out in the sun more, these bubbles would probably evaporate faster. I have no bubbles in my field of view from the driver's seat. I tried attaching photos, but it doesn't seem to be working correctly. I will try again later.
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2013 E63 Wagon, 2016 AMG GT-S, 1999 M3 Convertible
Have a 2016 GTS that I just bought in late June. By the time I drove it home from LA to San Diego, it had a two small cracks and a number of little pits. I didn't notice them at the dealership (obviously) and didn't hear any rock hits that had me expecting anything. It was a CPO car. Fortunately I bought the MB windshield coverage (since I've replaced the windshield on every car I've owned in Southern CA) and they just popped a new one on the following week, but even that one, with less than 1,000 miles on it, is showing some tiny little pits already.
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From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
Have a 2016 GTS that I just bought in late June. By the time I drove it home from LA to San Diego, it had a two small cracks and a number of little pits. I didn't notice them at the dealership (obviously) and didn't hear any rock hits that had me expecting anything. It was a CPO car. Fortunately I bought the MB windshield coverage (since I've replaced the windshield on every car I've owned in Southern CA) and they just popped a new one on the following week, but even that one, with less than 1,000 miles on it, is showing some tiny little pits already.
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From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
Bish
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Ml63
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From: West Newton, MA
Solarbeam Yellow 2016 AMG GTS
I understand what you are saying but at the same time I know that removing the windshield sometimes may do more harm than good. I have to find a really good installer. Not JN Philips that is! I found a lead this weekend.
