Dear Tom and Ray:

I've got a 1996 Subaru Legacy Wagon, which I LOVE. But one day, in some very heavy rain, my windshield wiper blade sort of slipped out of its channel and the metal arm scratched my windshield. I didn't even notice it until that afternoon, so I must have driven like that for about 40 minutes. Is there any way to get rid of the scratch, short of having the windshield replaced? -- Carol

Ray: It depends on how deep the scratch is, Carol. If you can feel a breeze coming through it, I'd say you're out of luck.

Tom: There is a company called Novus Windshield Repair (and there may be others) that actually repairs windshields. They use a combination of a clear epoxy and careful buffing to fix nicks and cracks. I don't know how they do on deep scratches, but you can give them a try. To find out if they have a shop near you, call (800) 241-1010.

Ray: And if that doesn't work, Carol, you'll have to "brick it."

Wait! Don't buy another car without the mechanic's checklist that's included in Tom and Ray's pamphlet "How to Buy a Great Used Car: Secrets Only Your Mechanic Knows." It will help you get a good used car and avoid the clunkers. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1998 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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