Scratches on door glass

[Calps]

When I bought the car, I noticed that there were vertical streaks on the both driver and passenger side windows. I put it down to needing a more focused clean, but upon tackling it, it became apparent that they were actually scratches ingrained in the glass.

As they're consistent on both sides of the car, I'm assuming this is due to something inherent in the door design but would be interested if others have experienced similar, and if so, how they went around addressing it?

It's also made me wonder - is the door glass on the coupe interchangeable with the roadster?

 

[mr.tourette]

I don't think the dust seals keep out enough crap..I had this with both my windows on the e85 after next door had some building work done, think a couple of particles of brick dust getting down the seal is all it takes

 

[grannyknot]

Yeah I have those same parallel streaks/scratches but slanted in the direction the window glass lowers into the door.
Mine seem to be only on the outside of the glass so I assumed that it was caused by sand/grit caught between the glass and the rubber wiper.

 

[axelleveau]

I have the same issue with my E86 and was thinking of asking as well so thanks [ref]Calps[/ref] for beating me to it

As additional question I would asks: Is there some tint factory applied to the windows or something? What leads me to asks is that the scratches seem hard to get on glass so I was wondering if there is a plastic layer (though scratches are outside and I believe tint is applied on inside) but also the fact I can see a weird glare and a pattern depending on how the light hits the window.

 

[Calps]

Thanks folks,

It did occur to me that dirt getting lodged on/between the rubber seals could have caused it alright. Surprised that is was as consistent as it was on both sides, but to Mr Tourette's point, if it had been parked around/near some building works or similar, it's very possible that's where it originated.

The focus now is on addressing it because it's starting to get on my nerves. Is removing the glass polishing them out with some sort of acrylic compound realistic given their scale (I can't get a good photo, but suffice to say they cover the entire window), or would replacement glass be the easier route to go (hence the compatibility query between glass panes for roadster/coupe)?

I have plans to remove the door cards at some point to examine the internal door seal for leaks, so I'd probably do everything at the same time.

(either way, the external rubbers will be getting a thorough cleaning soon to ensure stop it worsening!).

 

[patriot66]

The door glass on E85 and E86 is not common. The E86 top rear corner is square and the E85 is rounded

 

[Calps]

The door glass on E85 and E86 is not common. The E86 top rear corner is square and the E85 is rounded

Thanks patriot66. Now that you've pointed it out, the difference seems so obvious in hindsight..... Looks like I'll be getting friendly with some local glass repair folks to see what might be possible with the existing windows then.....

 

[patriot66]

The door glass on E85 and E86 is not common. The E86 top rear corner is square and the E85 is rounded

Thanks patriot66. Now that you've pointed it out, the difference seems so obvious in hindsight..... Looks like I'll be getting friendly with some local glass repair folks to see what might be possible with the existing windows then.....

Cerium oxide amongst others is commonly available for polishing glass. From my own experience if the scratches are deep then you'd be better trying to source some new/better condition glass

 

[flimper]

Yes same here, been driving me mad for years!

 

[Calps]

you'd be better trying to source some new/better condition glass

If only it were that straightforward. Coupe's are a rarity here, so the likelihood of finding one at a breakers yard is practically zero. If I'm replacing glass, it'll be coming from somewhere overseas, and that will be costly after carriage and/or taxes are factored in.

At least scratch repair, whilst a sub-par option, is a surety of sorts.

I may find my way over the the UK before the end of the year though, so I'll keep an eye on the classifieds here in case something comes up.

 

[axelleveau]

I do not know how bad yours are Calps but mine are deep enough to get my nails to hang in there when I scratch, I would say .25mm deep for some of them so I doubt a cut+polish would work

 

[MikeyH]

Well Iv'e had this on every car I have owned and shows up more when the sun is at a certain angle to the car. I personally think glass scratches quite easily as our french doors have multiple scratches where our German Shepherd would jump up to get attention to be let in. And one of our windows has a straight scratch that the window cleaner made. Is there not a polishing powder that will machine polish it out, I'm sure I have seen this somewhere.

 

[grannyknot]

Seems to me the outer rubber seal is the part that really needs fixing so these scratches don't continue to accumulate as time goes on.
Part #51337016637 is the culprit, still available at $110.00. It is the seal for both sides of the glass.

 

[Calps]

I do not know how bad yours are Calps but mine are deep enough to get my nails to hang in there when I scratch, I would say .25mm deep for some of them so I doubt a cut+polish would work

They're certainly noticeable when I drag my fingernails across them, and as [ref]MikeyH[/ref] mentions, in certain lighting conditions, they're very apparent. Luckily it's not all that sunny here in Ireland....

I'm going to follow up with some glass specialists to see what my options are. If/when I get some work done on them, I'll post an update here of before & after, and detail what was done.

 

[Calps]

Seems to me the outer rubber seal is the part that really needs fixing so these scratches don't continue to accumulate as time goes on.
Part #51337016637 is the culprit, still available at $110.00. It is the seal for both sides of the glass.
Screenshot 2022-04-19 at 16-04-02 Outer Door Weatherstrip - Left.png

Thanks grannyknot, I'm going to try to breath some life into the existing rubbers, but will fall back onto these if required.

 

[Jahmez]

Mine has scratches on driver's door glass also but slanted like someone else said. I'm going for replacement windscreen and might just get driver's door glass changed too... On the winter job list.