2004 Windshields - ProStar 197

[BarefootWt]

My dealer told me that the "sun spots" in the new boat windshields are normal as Taylor is making windshields to meet Customer requirements of rounded, good looking designs. Is this really the best answer there is? My brand new 2004 has many "shadows" in the shield. Although the dealer tells me he can replace the windshield, he also says the next one will probably exhibit the same shading - and the more times you replace it the more probable damage to the gel coat where the shield is mounted will occur? Thanks.

[Mag_Red]

:confused: Sounds like a line of crap to me. My 1986 Sea Ray Pachanga had a very rounded, glass windshield. I never remember having "spots" in the glass. It's not like they just started producing this design. :twocents:

[G-man]

I think your delaer is feeding you a line. Go look at boats in his show room and look at the same age boats is service to see if they have the same thing. The risk to the fiberglass is only if he doesn't do the job right.

[lakes Rick]

I have the same in mine and I think it is because they are tempered glass, like a patio door glass. Go look at your PD glass sometime and I bet it does the same thing.....

[pdoppenheim]

What kind of sun glasses are you wearing? Polarized sunglasses will let you see the stress distortions in the windshield as well as irregularities in the lamination. (Safety glass has a layer of plastic in the middle to keep it from shattering) If you check your windshield against other boats, which is a good idea, do it outside and with the same sunglasses.

A lot of people who ride motorcycles with windshields specifically use nonpolarized sunglasses because of the sunspots that show up, especially with polycarbonate windshields.

I have an 04 and saw only minor distortion at the curve of the windshield, but all the 04s I have driven had the same distortion. This is without any sunglasses.

[geoff faulkner]

I used to be in the glass business run your hand over the glass if there
are any dips or uneveness then there will be vison problems [very minor]
if the glass is smooth with no uneveness the sadows will be from the tempering process which is common with all glass when seen from certain angles. what are you cleaning your windshield with??

[BarefootWt]

I have wiped it down with windex a time or two. What would you recommend?

[geoff faulkner]

sounds silly but a bowl of water with a little vinegar in apply with a spounge then wipe off way an old newspaper [black/white print] sounds silly dut it really works!!!

[east tx skier]

The owners manual for my 93 says,

"Use a mild soap solution and damp cloth only" for cleaning the windshield, which is made of laminated plastic and tempered safety glass. "Harsh detergents, solvents, chemicals or dry cloths will scratch the surface."

The current manual (2004) is online under the download section, but I expect that it will say the equivilent of "don't use windex on your windshield."

/I could be wrong. Couldn't get the current manual to download. Check to be sure.

[BarefootWt]

Thanks for the mild soap suggestion. I checked the 2004 manual and you are correct. Thanks again! Happy skiing.

[ski36short]

I second the "silly" idea. My mom's secret window cleaning solvent was always a splash of vinegar in (a gallon-ish) of warm water applied via spray or wipe but dried with newspaper. Works like a charm although no safety glass manufacturer will recommend it. If I'm feeling ambitious that's what I use to clean all my windows. After that the best thing you can do is to go to the local boat store and put some Rain-Ex type stuff on there. All it takes to clean the windshield after that is a blast down the lake which is much more fun than wiping!