Weird Symbol on Windshield Exterior

izzay · 10-16-2009, 11:52 PM

New Impreza, about 2 months old. Ran through some very fine rain on the highway this evening. I noticed the marking of what looked like a suction cup on the far L side of the windshield and tried to remove it before realizing the water was beading up around it. I get to the exterior, wipe the windshield down, and notice two of these marks. One is 1" from the far L of the windshield, halfway up, the other is 6" down and towards the center line of the car.

Prima facie, you'll see the impression of something that looks like a suction cup, perhaps from installation/removal of windshield. However, the corona lines are much thicker than in the image, and I found the marking is physically etched into the windshield. It's far from a the shape of a suction cup or anything else when you look at it. My nail just catches on it. It is recessed enough that water runs down the windshield and beads towards the bottom of the symbols.

Onto my questions. What the heck are these? I can't imagine factory windshield installation would leave these marks, which actually pickup oncoming lights at night and are a huge distraction. My windshield has 'pops' at the extreme L and R when going over bumps, which cease when I hold my hand to the glass (ongoing warranty issue). Any chance a windshield replacement could have taken place? Is it possible this is rejected glass?

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Gravel X-Press · 10-17-2009, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzay

_________________________

Whatever happened, I'm sure they came in peace.

Charlie-III · 10-19-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravel X-Press

Whatever happened, I'm sure they came in peace.

You, are a warped unit.

OP, that does not look normal, not sure if it's a rejected windshield or marks from installation.

Gravel X-Press · 10-21-2009, 01:09 AM

Seriously, though,

That's not supposed to be like that, and if it's distracting to you, then it is a definite safety hazard and needs to be fixed/replaced.

I say take it back to the dealer, explain the problem and ask them to fix it. Then, don't take "no" for an answer.

424wrx · 10-21-2009, 07:07 AM

mine had them also when it was new. clean the windshield with a mix of vinegar and water. see if that helps.

Mechie3 · 10-21-2009, 08:43 AM

My parents windows on the mini van had these in 2 spots. It's from the factory robots that pick up the windows with suction.

C89ZX7R · 10-25-2009, 01:25 PM

It all makes sense now lol..... The round spot you're seeing is from a suction cup glass handle and that tool you found under the seat sounds like a urethane paddle.

<use to work for a autoglass company

Gravel X-Press · 10-25-2009, 01:42 PM

izzay,

Please tell us you tried to clean off those marks (with some type of solvent/cleaner) before writing this in as a problem with the windshield.

izzay · 11-01-2009, 12:36 AM

I tried about every reasonable glass solvent and could not get the marks off. I have a bit of experience in what can and cannot get the mark off, but I'm leaving this to the dealer as I'm sure they've dealt with it before. I'm also going to make them clean the wax off the rest of the windshield from their careless carwash.

These are the 3 in my field of vision. There are quite a few more (20+) towards the top of the windshield, and more at the passenger side. If the robot left them, I'm wondering if it might have dropped the windshield a dozen times and picked it back up. Heading to the dealer Friday for a popping windshield, stuck passenger window, and malfunctioning wipers, so we'll see how it goes when I point this out to them.

10-16-2009, 11:52 PM	#1
izzay Scooby Newbie Member#: 218765 Join Date: Jul 2009 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Richmond, VA Vehicle: 2009 Impreza 2.5i Metallic Grey	Weird Symbol on Windshield Exterior New Impreza, about 2 months old. Ran through some very fine rain on the highway this evening. I noticed the marking of what looked like a suction cup on the far L side of the windshield and tried to remove it before realizing the water was beading up around it. I get to the exterior, wipe the windshield down, and notice two of these marks. One is 1" from the far L of the windshield, halfway up, the other is 6" down and towards the center line of the car. Prima facie, you'll see the impression of something that looks like a suction cup, perhaps from installation/removal of windshield. However, the corona lines are much thicker than in the image, and I found the marking is physically etched into the windshield. It's far from a the shape of a suction cup or anything else when you look at it. My nail just catches on it. It is recessed enough that water runs down the windshield and beads towards the bottom of the symbols. Onto my questions. What the heck are these? I can't imagine factory windshield installation would leave these marks, which actually pickup oncoming lights at night and are a huge distraction. My windshield has 'pops' at the extreme L and R when going over bumps, which cease when I hold my hand to the glass (ongoing warranty issue). Any chance a windshield replacement could have taken place? Is it possible this is rejected glass? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-01-2009, 12:36 AM	#9
izzay Scooby Newbie Member#: 218765 Join Date: Jul 2009 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Richmond, VA Vehicle: 2009 Impreza 2.5i Metallic Grey	I tried about every reasonable glass solvent and could not get the marks off. I have a bit of experience in what can and cannot get the mark off, but I'm leaving this to the dealer as I'm sure they've dealt with it before. I'm also going to make them clean the wax off the rest of the windshield from their careless carwash. These are the 3 in my field of vision. There are quite a few more (20+) towards the top of the windshield, and more at the passenger side. If the robot left them, I'm wondering if it might have dropped the windshield a dozen times and picked it back up. Heading to the dealer Friday for a popping windshield, stuck passenger window, and malfunctioning wipers, so we'll see how it goes when I point this out to them. Last edited by izzay; 11-01-2009 at 12:42 AM.

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10-21-2009, 01:09 AM	#4
Gravel X-Press Scooby Newbie Member#: 224942 Join Date: Sep 2009 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: North NJ Vehicle: 1997 Impreza Outback Sport 2.2 Litre	Seriously, though, That's not supposed to be like that, and if it's distracting to you, then it is a definite safety hazard and needs to be fixed/replaced. I say take it back to the dealer, explain the problem and ask them to fix it. Then, don't take "no" for an answer.

10-21-2009, 07:07 AM	#5
424wrx Scooby Specialist Member#: 171948 Join Date: Feb 2008 Vehicle: 08 stg3 wrx rally blue	mine had them also when it was new. clean the windshield with a mix of vinegar and water. see if that helps.

10-21-2009, 08:43 AM	#6
Mechie3 Scooby Guru Member#: 120152 Join Date: Jul 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Indy Vehicle: 2006 WRX, ESP 92 CNY Overall Pax Winner!	My parents windows on the mini van had these in 2 spots. It's from the factory robots that pick up the windows with suction.

10-25-2009, 01:25 PM	#7
C89ZX7R * Banned * Member#: 119154 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Richmond VA Vehicle: 2004 White STi	It all makes sense now lol..... The round spot you're seeing is from a suction cup glass handle and that tool you found under the seat sounds like a urethane paddle. <use to work for a autoglass company

10-25-2009, 01:42 PM	#8
Gravel X-Press Scooby Newbie Member#: 224942 Join Date: Sep 2009 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: North NJ Vehicle: 1997 Impreza Outback Sport 2.2 Litre	izzay, Please tell us you tried to clean off those marks (with some type of solvent/cleaner) before writing this in as a problem with the windshield.