WTF? Tiny pits / chips on driver's side door window
 

Hi all.

My RC has only 1200 miles on since inception in June. Because I have OCD about chips, I don't drive on the highway at all.

I went to clean my car today for the first time (yeah, I know) and noticed two pinhead white dots on the driver's side window. Thinking it was stuck dirt, I gave it a good rub before realizing that they're pits!

I have no clue how they appeared and would have heard / noticed had it occurred when driving. Again, I don't drive on the highway. the windshield and rest of glass is clean.

Anyway, I'm sick of looking at it. Anyone know what it costs to replace the glass as I'm aware there's no way to repair it? Thanks.

Got a picture?

Sure. Just took the pic posted below. The one circled on the left is oddly near the edge of the window. The one circled on the right looks like two tiny nicks but it's one mark and a bit shallower and not as "white" as the one on the left.

I'm really perplexed. If it happened on my watch, the glass must be ridiculously delicate because I don't tailgate or drive on the highway for there to warrant such pitting from debris. The other odd thing is that the pits are only on the driver's side window and not on the windshield. I don't recall anyone throwing anything at the window to pinpoint.

Yeah, I am bad about washing my car as I refuse to bring it to a car wash and resort to self washing when I have time or in the mood. Then again, I don't drive much at all for it to get really dirty. What's the chance that the nicks were there all along and I just noticed it?

I know it's not a "huge" deal but it bothers me considering the rest of my car is flawless. I just looked up the part number, 6810224280, and the cost an OEM replacement is around $400 without labor. You would think in 2015 there would be technology that existed to repair such blemishes completely instead of replacement. I don't want to point the finger at the dealer, yet I'm very discouraged at the durability of the glass had it happened under my overly cautious driving practices!

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...32df46fe78.jpg

They were probably caused by small rocks being flung by other cars next to you or in front. You should see my windshield, and unfortunately I have to take the freeway to work otherwise it will take me 2.5 hours to get to work.

This sucks. In this day in age you'd think the glass would be more durable. The fact that the glass on these care is so delicate is unacceptable. Windshield chips are understandable, but on the door window is indicative of really inferior quality.

I actually have ClearPlex windshield protection film on mine for this very reason.

However, windshield chip repair is pretty common now. Your insurance might even cover it.

Edit: Just realized you were talking about a door window. Chip repair might still be viable though.

There's currently no method of removing pits from windshields. Whoever comes up with one will make mad $$$. A chirpy has to be a certain size to be eligible for repair. Even then, you're still left with a non-invisible milky dot that where the resin is injected.

It's like what's the point of paint protection if the glass is pitted and marked up? Paint is cheap. Glass is not.

Wondering if you park outside in your driveway or on the road? Could be from passing traffic, a lawnmower, street sweepers, anything really...

With your attention to detail, I doubt those blemishes were on the window when you picked up the car. I bet something happened to the window while you were parked somewhere. Like you, I hate seeing blemishes on my car but I've learned to get over them and just enjoy driving my car. I take actions to avoid chips like not driving behind trucks, but unfortunately chips are bound to eventually happen.

Lawn mower or weed eater definitely! had This happen while at work on base one day. Company contracted for base lawn service got a few parked near grass while they where cutting and edging.

Good point. I do leave the car out sometimes on the driveway when the landscaper comes. Still, the glass should be a bit more resistant.

What about using cerium (sp?) oxide powder to try and polish it out? I hate the crushed glass look left from the marks.

Since the glass is pitted and not scratched you would not be able to polish it out. If you were able to polish it out you would have an indentation where the pit was, which would be way worse than the small pit.

I understand that it is a pain and unsightly, but it might be something that you have to live with as these things will happen on occasion. The other alternative is never drive you car, which I don't think you want to do.

So sad. Next time I'll opt for bulletproof glass.

I hear you. On the way back home from the dealer after I signed all the paper work we got a rock chip right in front of me, but below my eye level, and we also got a small rock chip on the hood. I was so pissed, but then realized that this will happen if I drive it, and as my wife reminded me you ain't spending this much money for a car that sits in the garage. I already have one of those. I was scheduled to have XPEL put on the car the next day. :egads:

I think because these types of cars sit lower than sedans the windshields are more prone to rock hits, and I also think like you the glass is softer. It could be that the rocks are harder, but that doesn't make sense. :uh:

We need to invent a pit filler that basically fills even the tiniest specks by adhering to rough surfaces and dries clear.

No doubt. Every time I get into the car I see that darn star crack even though it is filled in, and it's worse when the sun catches it.

Do you think those DIY chip repair kits are worth a shot?

They might be. The thing to worry about is that once the fluid is put in you have to make sure that it is scrapped level otherwise you will have a permanent bump which will show every time you use the wipers. To me that would drive me more nuts than having a small pit.

The issue is that the pit has to be deep enough so the fix will be able to stick otherwise the wipers will eventually remove it. That was told to me by numerous windshield repair places when I asked it they could fill those tiny pits. If it's a deep pit or a star then the fix can be made to go into those areas and anchor it.

Good luck.

At least you guys don't live where I do in Oz. Our local government's solution to road resurfacing here is to lay coarse chips on wet tar and let the drivers bed it down!!!:egads:

Damn Dude, that is just so cruel. :uh:

Do the town officials sit on the side of the road and just laugh at everyone as they pass by?

Geez ... You gotta wonder what people with Bentley's and exotic cars do!

Maybe not drive them, hence the really low mileage on many of them or not care. Since I don't own either I can't tell and can only speculate. :uh:

First to make chip resistant glass = $$$$$$$

It's called bullet proof glass, ;) but then our cars will be even heavier. :egads:

Just to follow up. I spoke with the Lexus tech. $425 to replace the window. :eek1: Wouldn't want to know what the windshield is!

I heard it was $1,600. I'm so glad I have glass coverage.

Finally came to accept the fact that Lexus glass is VERY soft and pits easily even little force. It sucks but inevitable I guess.

I feel your pain and you should see my windshield after only 6, 602 miles on it. This has to be some of the softest glass ever made.

It literally sucks. Even a small pebble kicked up under 40mph results in a nice white pit. I never had a car with such poor durability glass. It's crap. Only stays nice if you don't drive the car, or only drive when hardly anyone is on the road. Lexus should get their ***** together and deliver on glass. It is possible to make glass that shatters easily without making it prone to blemishes with everything that is thrown at it.

That's why I didn't get the driver door window replaced. I knew it was a matter of time before it happens elsewhere.

Not up for putting glass film on the windshield either. Heck, I'm surprised the rear window is still free from pitting! :p

The back glass will remain free as long as you don't drive backwards down the freeway. :egads:

How does a windshield "literally" suck? It pulls the chips to itself?
Perhaps Fuz means "figuratively."

I think what Fuz was saying is that rocks are drawn to the RC windshield like metal to a magnet.

Pete: I know what he was trying to say, but he did not say what he was trying to say. He said something else, and what he said did not make any sense. Like so many people on TV, he does not know what "literally" means. I bet he says "very unique" from time to time, also.

Tim, I was just being cheeky with you as I know you knew what he was trying to say. God that just made my brain hurt. ;)

"Cheeky." I love swell words like that.

Figuratively speaking, it means "it sucks that the glass is so delicate!" LOL