Recommendations for Random Rotory Sander/Polisher for Car Windshield

Hi all,

Im currently shopping for a sander/polisher to remove imperfections and small scratches from my car's front windshield.
To preface, I do 160km/day for work on sydney motorways, Im definately no stranger to rock chips and cracks. With my current windshield, when it catches the light during the day, all I can see are small speckles which simply look like dust or dirt, but no matter how much I wash the windshield, they're always there. Running my finger along the windshield i can feel tiny bumps and groves dotted around the place, I can also see small scratches if i angle my head and inspect the windshield closely. I have tried various brands of hand polish such as Carpro's Ceri Glass and Polish Angel, but it just doesnt make any meaningful difference.

From my own research online, it seems that a variable speed polisher between 1500 - 4000/opm is recommended. But sanders in general seem to be significantly cheaper than a dedicated car polisher that may range $400-500. I found a Bosch 270 W Electric Random Orbital Sander/Polisher on ebay for $93 delivered. I can pair that with Lambswool Bonnet or Polishing Felt off Amazon. The lowest speed the Bosch seems to go is 4000opm, which I think may be okay? Looking for general feedback and recommendation as Im not much of a power tools person.

Cheers

Comments

  • +2

    Drop into a smash repairer and see if you can grab a chunk of a winscreen or window so you can test on it before your car as it may not work or make things worse

    • good recommendation, thanks

    • +2

      chunk of a winscreen

      That's not how it works

    • +3

      Gonna be a very small chunk, those things are laminated safety glass, they break into a million tiny pieces, and are then stuck in a film.

      • ill see if i can source a random piece of glass to test on

        • Seriously don't waste your time buddy. See here

  • If you just want a random one, use Google

    • +1

      im not feeling lucky

  • If you're doing that many kms (like me I do 50k kms pa) then you just need to accept the fact that you need to replace your windscreen every 3 or 4 years whether it's cracked or not. The pitting and scratches after this time becomes a hazard in itself. My windscreen is generally unroadworthy after 150k kms.

    To keep it as clean and clear as possible I go over the outside windscreen with a clay bar and lube every few months to remove the grime in the pitting that wipers and squeegee just can't remove. The difference is amazing and the wipers work more efficiently.

    The glass polishes you mention are basically just to super clean your glass and remove water marks. You will not be polishing out pits or scratches on glass without doing more damage. Glass is a lot harder than your car paints clear coat.

    • thanks for your input
      well im already booked in for my first windshield replacement 3 months into taking delivery of our new car.

      • Most of my driving is on regional roads (versus your motorways). I avoid following closely behind trucks, caravans and 4WD's because they throw up the most debris. You may have little choice in this matter.

        • +1

          Unfortunately it isn't easy for me to stay away from trucks since im stuck on the motorway during both the morning and afterwork peak hour. Its like a 1:3 truck/car ratio.

  • I'm looking for a sander/polisher as well. I've found this on ebay, https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/334528274543?var=543583934297 what do you think?

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