Micro chips in windshield. Repairable?

[Ulikefishsticks]

I don't have a picture of it but when the sunlight hits my windshield there are hundreds of little mini cracks or chips in the window that cause the light to refract and is REALLY annoying. Only really happens at low sun angle in the morning or evening. Is there a process to resurface the windshield? Is it even possible? This was something I didn't notice during my test drive obviously because it was during times around midday. Has anyone had a windshield replaced? How much would that set me back if that was the only option? I'll see if I can manage a picture in the next few days if possible.

 

[CKeeler]

Mine is the same and worse because of the sap that sprays from local pine trees in my work parking lot. I’ve heard that the windshield replacement is pretty expensive because of the sensors that are embedded under the windshield. It also means that you have to have the windshield replaced in a shop that has the tools to calibrate it. I haven’t done mine yet, but am thinking about it maybe within the next year. As long as the crack in my windshield doesn’t get any bigger

 

[eflyguy]

16 Months of ownership and no "chips or cracks" in mine.

I understand people live where gravel is put down on roads in winter, I'd probably leave a little more distance from vehicles ahead when driving in those conditions.

The windshield is $650-1200 in the USA, plus replacement, setup, calibration, etc. Check your local dealer or online parts supply.

 

[MerlintheMad]

OP: are you talking about that glittering effect in the glass when the sunlight comes directly through it? Because earlier discussions raising this issue seemed to determine that it's an artifact of the windshield's construction. The doubled glass (sound resistant) is bonded together. In my case (annoying but hardly a deal breaker), what I see are little almost upside down "V"s in a continuous pattern, only visible near where the sunlight shines straight through.

 

[Frenchy_418]

I used a 2 stage compound with a DA buffer on my windshield to buff some of the surface micro scratch and picking out. It work to some degree. After wash with alchool and put a windshield treatment from silverwax, not perfect as new, but still better than before.

 

[ShannonC]

I don't have a picture of it but when the sunlight hits my windshield there are hundreds of little mini cracks or chips in the window that cause the light to refract and is REALLY annoying. Only really happens at low sun angle in the morning or evening. Is there a process to resurface the windshield? Is it even possible? This was something I didn't notice during my test drive obviously because it was during times around midday. Has anyone had a windshield replaced? How much would that set me back if that was the only option? I'll see if I can manage a picture in the next few days if possible.

I had a similar issue just after taking delivery and went back to dealer where it was treated for contamination and polished out. No issues since and crystal clear.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

There are cerium oxide buffing compounds for windshields, but I've never done it personally so I can't vouch for the process. I'll end up trying it out on the Saab.

here is a tutorial for using it to handle deep scratches:

Here is one for small scratches and pits:

I'd skip the RainX though and go straight to a ceramic coating.

 

[Paul Stoermer]

I don't have a picture of it but when the sunlight hits my windshield there are hundreds of little mini cracks or chips in the window that cause the light to refract and is REALLY annoying. Only really happens at low sun angle in the morning or evening. Is there a process to resurface the windshield? Is it even possible? This was something I didn't notice during my test drive obviously because it was during times around midday. Has anyone had a windshield replaced? How much would that set me back if that was the only option? I'll see if I can manage a picture in the next few days if possible.

I have the same problem. Seems like Kia should replace the windshield. 2018 Red GT.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

I have the same problem. Seems like Kia should replace the windshield. 2018 Red GT.

I disagree. I've run into this same issue with every sportscar and sports sedan I've had including RX-7, MR2, Nissan Z, multiple Corvettes including a ZR1, Olds Cutlass, multiple Rustangs, and Saab 9-3. It has to do with the rake of the windshield and aerodynamics. I've not had the problem with trucks or more stodgy sedans with more vertical windshields. This is not a defect with your Kia Stinger. Before I gift the Saab I plan to polish the windshield with cerium oxide to restore it to like-new, then ceramic coat it again. Incidentally, I've also only ever had steeply-raked windshields crack from rock impacts (MR2, Saab 9-3, Corvettes), not more vertical windshields where the turbulence seems to redirect even larger stones over the roof.

Two things may help:
- a bra or hood deflector to introduce some turbulence but fuel economy and highway performance will suffer slightly and wind noise will increase
- ceramic coating (will help ever so slightly with the smallest sand grains causing micro scratches, but will not prevent pits from anything anything larger than the smallest grains of sand)

To fix it you can buff the windshield with cerium oxide. To prevent it, you could pick a different class of vehicle that doesn't have a steeply-raked windshield. Pysics aren't Kia's fault. It WOULD be nice though, if windshields started coming with a sapphire PVD coating which would prevent the vast majority of micro scratches and pits.