Door window replacement

mhl0125 · #1 04-23-2003, 06:51 AM

My door roll-down windows have the typical rub marks from the pads with grit on them. I found some good replacement windows. My glass shop wants $100 each to replace the windows. Is this something I can do fairly easily? Are there any how-to's on this? I haven't found any. Has anyone done this? If so, what is involved?

benebob · #2 04-23-2003, 08:05 AM

Not overly hard but very time consuming esp when you don't know what you're doing. Make sure if you do it to clean the rollers real good and better yet if you can replace them it would be wise. They are the cuplrit for the scratching. Are your windows so bad that they wouldn't buff out? There are products made for taking scratchs out of windows. They work very well. (I'd still make sure you clean the rollers though). Expect to spend a good 2-4 hours on the first window. A little less for the second.

mhl0125 · #3 04-23-2003, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. Is it the rollers or the pads that need to be cleaned? I had always been told you can't remove scratches and rub marks out of glass without distorting it. What kind of products are available and has anyone ever tried them? How well do they work?

Aredubjay · #4 04-23-2003, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mhl0125
Thanks for the suggestions. Is it the rollers or the pads that need to be cleaned? I had always been told you can't remove scratches and rub marks out of glass without distorting it. What kind of products are available and has anyone ever tried them? How well do they work?

It's actually the "pads." The SVX has both inboard and outboard stabilizer pads. The felt, as the windows are rolled down, collect the dirt and grit from the outside of the window and basically become sandpaper. They are easy to get to, once the door panel is off. Just remove them and use a toothbrush to "fluff" them up again, or, as benebob said, get new ones. You should be able to order them at subaruparts.com, or, do a search on Liberty Subaru and call their 800 number.

benebob · #5 04-23-2003, 09:31 AM

Check out products designed for cleaning antique/classic car windshields. I can't remember what it was that I used for my TR6. It was like 10 years ago. The stuff worked great at covering up the scratches. I never really noticed much of a distortion. There was more of a distortion from the scratches. The reason I say antique/classic car products is that for many of these cars a replacement windshield really isn't an option.

Aredubjay · #6 04-23-2003, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by benebob
Check out products designed for cleaning antique/classic car windshields. I can't remember what it was that I used for my TR6. It was like 10 years ago. The stuff worked great at covering up the scratches. I never really noticed much of a distortion. There was more of a distortion from the scratches. The reason I say antique/classic car products is that for many of these cars a replacement windshield really isn't an option.

Ben, are you talking about Cirium Oxide? Available in kits (with buffing wheels made of felt) at jcwhitney.com. Stock #13UC2455R

benebob · #7 04-23-2003, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aredubjay

Ben, are you talking about Cirium Oxide? Available in kits (with buffing wheels made of felt) at jcwhitney.com. Stock #13UC2455R

Possibly, the stuff I used was British I think. Had an acutal name and was kind like a rubbing compound and if I remember correctly you used some sort of velour thing and a drill to polish it. I've looked for it since on line with no success as I'd like to do my windows at some point. I read about in a British Car Mag. review in the 80s. I'm sure I still have the mag as I save all of them. Unfortunately its still packed away in boxes in our new basement.

mhl0125 · #8 04-23-2003, 12:33 PM

There are a lot of articles on "cerium oxide" around and they say that it takes hours and hours of work and the results have been mixed. Has anyone here actually tried it?

sfsvx · #9 04-23-2003, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mhl0125
There are a lot of articles on "cerium oxide" around and they say that it takes hours and hours of work and the results have been mixed. Has anyone here actually tried it?

Hold it, guys. This thread stops right here until we reach consensus on "cirium" vs. "cerium".

Aredubjay · #10 04-23-2003, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sfsvx

Hold it, guys. This thread stops right here until we reach consensus on "cirium" vs. "cerium".

Should be "c-e-r-i-u-m." My bad.

SVX_MY_BABY · #11 04-24-2003, 06:19 PM

My question is: How do you get the door panel off and then get it back on so the power window buttons don't rattle.