Dear Tom and Ray:

The windshield on my Lexus ES300 developed a film outside the surface cleared by the windshield wipers. Normal glass cleaning liquid would not cut it. So I tried cleaning the area with a green nylon pad called Scotch Bright along with the same glass cleaner. I ended up with fine scratches all over the outside of the windshield. Is there anything I can use to remove the scratches myself? Ken

Ray: Yes. A large brick.

Tom: Actually, Ken, what you're going to have to do now is take the car to an auto glass place. If the scratches aren't too deep, they might be able to buff them out--that is, remove a thin, outer layer of the glass in order to get rid of the scratches.

Ray: Of course, you should try to avoid using abrasives on your windshield in the future, Ken, because there are only so many times you can buff a windshield. When you start to feel water hitting you in the face, you know you've gone too far. At that point, write to us again, and we'll tell you where to get storm windows that fit the Lexus.

Spending a little money now on "preventive maintenance" can save you big bucks down the road. Find out how by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1992 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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