Rear window glass stain

[2001TeeJay]

Happy Friday all!

Really minor issue here but it's been driving me nuts. The hinges on the rear window of my hard top are causing this weird deposit stain on the glass. I've tried a few things like vinegar, elbow grease, clay bar, but nothing has helped. Anyone have a remedy for getting rid of this?

Also, would you guys replace that hinge or repaint it?

Thanks!

 

[glowell222]

Can't help you with the stain, but I would certainly address the hinges, and my choice would be new. I have never seen hinges do that before-only the old style side mirror brackets.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Scrape that oxidation stain off with a new straight edge razor blade and almost any type of cleaner or oil for lubrication.

If that takes it off, it's gone. If that doesn't take it off, it's been part of the glass for some time. I wish I could remember the actual outcome on this one but if it was an orange oxidation (rust) stain it would definitely come off.

 

[2001TeeJay]

Scrape that oxidation stain off with a new straight edge razor blade and almost any type of cleaner or oil for lubrication.

If that takes it off, it's gone. If that doesn't take it off, it's been part of the glass for some time. I wish I could remember the actual outcome on this one but if it was an orange oxidation (rust) stain it would definitely come off.

It's definitely been part of the glass for sometime. I was thinking to try some boat/hull cleaner this weekend.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

I did glass, both automotive and everything else except what we eat and drink out of, for my last few years of working. From what I've done and who I worked with

The new straight edge razor blade with some soap or lube may not sound like a good idea but I promise you it is the best way to go. Anything the blade doesn't take off is in the glass.

The only way to take care of that is polishing. I've seen scratches you almost can't even see to begin with take at least 1/2 an hour per inch of length and that's using rare earth polishing powder which is specifically made to polish glass.

 

[JDS123]

All hardtop hinges do that when hit with salt and water like we see in Illinois. I hit my hinges with some sandpaper and repainted them to get rid the leftover failing pant and corrosion. Once you do that you shouldn't have too many issues.

If you do decide to replace the hinges, be very careful with the bolts that hold the hinge to the glass. They need to be torqued just the right amount so that they do not loosen but also so they don't shatter the glass. There have been plenty of accidents where people have overtightened the bolts and the glass shatters.

 

[WNC05willys]

I do auto glass for a living the past 27 years, if denatured alcohol and a razor blade doesn't take it off, then it's permanent. Its tempered glass so it can't be polished out, it would either explode the glass or make it distorted. Good luck, a new one is 200-400 depending on where you live and who you go through

 

[2001TeeJay]

I do auto glass for a living the past 27 years, if denatured alcohol and a razor blade doesn't take it off, then it's permanent. Its tempered glass so it can't be polished out, it would either explode the glass or make it distorted. Good luck, a new one is 200-400 depending on where you live and who you go through

I've gotta try it with denatured alcohol for sure. Thanks for the suggestion. I tried a small test spot using a razor blade and some Chemical Guys™ lubricant I had from their clay bar kit--it did not work well. A lot of the oxidation residue came off but not all.

 

[WNC05willys]

I've gotta try it with denatured alcohol for sure. Thanks for the suggestion. I tried a small test spot using a razor blade and some Chemical Guys™ lubricant I had from their clay bar kit--it did not work well. A lot of the oxidation residue came off but not all.

You'll probably never get it all off if its set in, but hopefully getting most of it can save your OCD and some $$$