Notices
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018) Forum for all 1990 - 2018 ES Models

strange patterned dots on back windshield normal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 28, 2016 | 07:47 AM
  #1  
prosgal73's Avatar
prosgal73
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default strange patterned dots on back windshield normal?

Hi everyone! Decided to ask all of you since the dealers seem to be clueless about what I'm asking. You can only see it in certain lightening. You can't see it in bright light and it doesn't obstruct my view when I drive but now that it's getting shady....I noticed when I washed my car in a certain lighting there is an even patterned arrangements of dots on my backshield windshield on my new ES. Is this normal? Should I ask a windshield place, one place I called thinks it's normal. Just want to make sure it's not a defect but when I googled it it was mentioned that on certain cars it's there and normal...dunno. What is the purpose of it though?

Last edited by prosgal73; Sep 28, 2016 at 08:05 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2016 | 07:55 AM
  #2  
jollick's Avatar
jollick
Racer
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 226
From: GA
Default

Originally Posted by prosgal73
Hi everyone! Decided all of you since the dealers since be clueless right now about what I'm asking. You can only see it in certain lightening. You can't see it in bright light and it doesn't obstruct my view when I drive but now that it's getting shady....I noticed when I washed my car in a certain lighting there is an even patterned arrangements of dots on my backshield windshield on my new ES. Is this normal? Should I ask a windshield place, one place I called thinks it's normal...
I can see what appear to be large circular spots on the glass at times when wearing polarized sunglasses. This is normal and I see it on most cars.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2016 | 08:03 AM
  #3  
prosgal73's Avatar
prosgal73
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Thank you...It's just strange because I've even had this on any of my other cars so I wasn't sure if it's just on certain brands. Just never seen it before and got worried. Loving my new ES and just wanted to make sure it wasn't some manufacturing defect thanks

Last edited by prosgal73; Sep 28, 2016 at 10:37 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2016 | 08:31 AM
  #4  
Dave Mac's Avatar
Dave Mac
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 83
From: AZ
Default

I believe I see something similar on my car as well as many others only when wearing what I guess are polarized sunglasses and when viewing at an angle. Are you seeing it without sunglasses?

Dave Mac
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2016 | 09:35 AM
  #5  
prosgal73's Avatar
prosgal73
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Yes without sunglasses, but like I said it's really random. Today was the only the second time I saw it in the two months I've owned and for some reason more noticeable right after I wash my car. and both times it was early morning in a shady area...

Originally Posted by Dave Mac
I believe I see something similar on my car as well as many others only when wearing what I guess are polarized sunglasses and when viewing at an angle. Are you seeing it without sunglasses?

Dave Mac

Last edited by prosgal73; Sep 28, 2016 at 10:34 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2016 | 10:06 AM
  #6  
JDR76's Avatar
JDR76
Lexus Champion
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,181
Likes: 1,832
From: WA
Default

This is pretty normal. The worst I have seen was back when my parents bought a new '89 Camry. It was very obvious on that car.

My understanding is that this is a byproduct of the process they use when tempering the glass.

I'll look and see if I can find any literature on this.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2016 | 11:10 AM
  #7  
prosgal73's Avatar
prosgal73
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Thanks, just interesting that I'm only realizing this after owning quite a few cars and never having another car with this kind of glass effect. I'm glad I have all of you to reassure me that's it's normal. It's pretty sad that a dealership can't even can't answer this kind of question for me.. At one point I was told it was a defect so then I got concerned...then another said it was the marks left from the suction cups they install the glass? then someone said it was oil and the windshield should be replaced?...so didn't know what to think?


Originally Posted by JDR76
This is pretty normal. The worst I have seen was back when my parents bought a new '89 Camry. It was very obvious on that car.

My understanding is that this is a byproduct of the process they use when tempering the glass.

I'll look and see if I can find any literature on this.

Last edited by prosgal73; Sep 28, 2016 at 11:22 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2016 | 11:32 AM
  #8  
JDR76's Avatar
JDR76
Lexus Champion
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,181
Likes: 1,832
From: WA
Default

I think it's more pronounced on the windows of some glass manufacturers than others.

I also think it's most obvious on a rear window because of the way the angle and curvature reflect the light. This would be why it's more noticeable on some cars than others.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2016 | 11:56 AM
  #9  
prosgal73's Avatar
prosgal73
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Makes sense, my other cars were different makes and the back windshield curvature was different. Thanks for sharing your insight and knowledge.

Originally Posted by JDR76
I think it's more pronounced on the windows of some glass manufacturers than others.

I also think it's most obvious on a rear window because of the way the angle and curvature reflect the light. This would be why it's more noticeable on some cars than others.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2016 | 07:23 PM
  #10  
5Ws's Avatar
5Ws
Rookie
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: South Caorlina
Default

Are these the spots you are seeing?




Quick google search seems to reveal that it's normal. Product of glass tempering, like you guys said.
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlike...dows_while_im/
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2016 | 07:30 PM
  #11  
prosgal73's Avatar
prosgal73
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

Yes thanks appreciate the link. that's what the dealership service manager told me today but the service advisor actually told me he'd never had a client bring that up ever that's why he referred me to the manager. That was actually surprising....then again it took me 2 months and the right lightening to notice it. The manager actually said some haven't noticed it for up to half a year


Originally Posted by 5Ws
Are these the spots you are seeing?




Quick google search seems to reveal that it's normal. Product of glass tempering, like you guys said.
https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlike...dows_while_im/

Last edited by prosgal73; Sep 30, 2016 at 07:35 PM.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
EJC
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
5
Mar 19, 2018 08:48 PM
Rdcrow
NX - 1st Gen (2015-2021)
5
Feb 28, 2015 11:50 AM
Fizzboy7
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
7
Oct 25, 2009 01:37 PM
mikeho
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
23
Jan 11, 2008 11:03 AM
wizhill
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
9
Jun 24, 2006 09:22 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:07 AM.