Just had my dew wipes changed, and want to change my badly scratched driver side glass. It has the very common vertical scratches. I do have the new felt pads from TFS and am "assuming" this is the problem area, but am not sure. Can someone tell me why exactly the Fiero door glass scratches and what can be done to avoid it after replacing the glass with a new one
Biggest issues problem is dirt/sand getting trapped in the felts an wipes that can scratch the glass. Old rock hard dew wipes also will scratch the glass. Easy prevention is to keep the glass clean and I occasionally use a old toothbrush to brush the inner part of the dew wipes (window down) to remove any trapped dirt.
Thanks for the reply, but I am not sure that is the main cause. I see one particular spot on most Fieros that results in vertical scratches in the glass- regardless of the condition of the dew wipes. Something inside is scratching the glass in a particular spot, and I want to figure out what it is
Window guides on the INSIDE are capable of causing scratches also- They get dirt in them, and also the Felt wears thin. Sadly, you apparently have to cut the door structure to replace the guides. You can clean them a bit.......
Outside "Felt" areas (2 of them) gets more crap that scratches ever when "dew wipes" are new. Lower the glass some or all the way to get more space to clean the "Felt" parts. Try gently pull/push glass towards inside of car too.
I use a small wood/plastic stick to "comb" out crap when dry. Wet makes most things stick even when you soap it here.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
It is possible to remove the felts. You have to remove the glass first. Note: you must then reinstall the felts before reinstalling the glass. I have direct knowledge of this.
So the consensus is that the felt pads wear our or catch dirt, causing the scratches? my glass will be getting changed anyway, so hopefully changing the felt pads will help?
[This message has been edited by cam-a-lot (edited 11-18-2019).]
Outer felts are part of the dew wipes. Inner felts can get dirty but often not you problem.
Inners need door cutting or window removed. Many claim Dew wipes and outers can be replace w/o window removed but most times Window has other issues and best just remove the window and fix all problem at same time. Like glass moves front/back/tilt moving up/down, slow PW motors often cause by crap/rust on the regulator parts, etc.
on my old 84, the dew wipes were really cracked and worn. the windows got scratched because of small rocks entering into that area. clean out the area with an air compressor.
It will also help some if you WAX the glass. After replacing the windows on mine I do this each time I wax the car. Just know if you use windex it will strip the wax off.
Originally posted by 1Packrat: It will also help some if you WAX the glass. After replacing the windows on mine I do this each time I wax the car. Just know if you use windex it will strip the wax off.
May seem to help but waxes will get on anything touches the window then often hold dirt on them. About same problem as oil/grease on them but those "eat" many rubber/plastic parts. Besides scratch problems, dirt on seals can let water in the door and cabin.
Just to recap, since my glass IS going to be replaced, and I have new dew wipes on now, and I am changing the felt guides (bought from Fiero Store), this should prevent the new glass from getting scratched- assuming I occasionally clean the dew wipes?
Just to recap, since my glass IS going to be replaced, and I have new dew wipes on now, and I am changing the felt guides (bought from Fiero Store), this should prevent the new glass from getting scratched- assuming I occasionally clean the dew wipes?
Yes, regular cleaning of window and felts will keep glass looking good for a long time. It always bothers me when I see 4 or 5 year old vehicles starting to develop window scratches/marks because they are never cleaned in general.
