So, the passenger side "front stabilizer" that guides the inside surface of the window was installed crooked. This resulted in a very fine vertical scratch in the glass from years of rolling window up & down. Is there a way to polish the scratch out, or am I looking at a total replacement? The stabilizer has black fuzzy on it, but it was worn off on one corner. I have since backed the stabilizer away from the glass (while I had the door apart replacing dew wipes). Anyone else experience this and have a remedy?
I've heard of some companies that can polish out minor scratches, but it comes at the cost of distorting the image that's coming through the glass. (I've never actually found a company willing to do this or even seen it done) In reality, you're looking at a new window.
------------------ -Chris '85 V6 SE 4sp (SOLD) '88 GT - Series 3 SC3800 w/ 3.5" pulley, 1.8" rockers, 3" exhaust, 3.5" intake, 3.29 gearing. Installed and tuned by Sinister Performance '99 Kawasaki Vulcan 500, owned since new '03 Sentra SE-R Spec V (Prepping to sell) '09 G37x Sedan w/ Premium & Nav (wife's car) '13 G37xS Sedan (new daily driver)
Your problem is not isolated nor is it unique, but a suitable (i.e., cheap, easy, & readily accessible) remedy has not be figured out. I think it's because of few circumstances.
The first is that there are (or once was) people making the replacements for the fuzzy stabilizers, but I believe they were not as good as OEM. I guess odd to think that, since it would seem if it's tearing up your window that anything better would help. The Fiero Store in particular does sell these and they have them listed as GM replacement parts, but I'm not so sure they're exact quality replacements. Maybe someone who has recently bought them can chime in, but I do recall older threads here of people having issues with the fuzzy pads.
The other issue is that door glass has been relatively difficult to locate. OEM glass has been out of production for quite some time, and for the better part of the past 10-15 years people have been chasing NOS replacements around the country. Since the majority of Fieros have this issue of scratching the glass happen to them, the alternative was to always look at low mileage salvage cars, see if they have "good" glass, pull the glass, and hold onto it. Being able to do that is now obviously a difficult endeavor. I believe that there was a group of individuals whom pursued a company to reproduce the OEM door glass, but I haven't checked that thread in a while (it's a recent thread in General Chat).
Does NOS mean "new old stock"? So, if you go to an auto glass replacement business, they are unable to get Fiero side windows? I've read on here that getting windshields is not problem.
The Fiero Store in particular does sell these and they have them listed as GM replacement parts, but I'm not so sure they're exact quality replacements. Maybe someone who has recently bought them can chime in, but I do recall older threads here of people having issues with the fuzzy pads.
Fiero Stores outer Dew wipes with their felt guides are crap. The fuzzy pad came off in 2 weeks and put glue residue all over my glass along with scratching window even more. The dew wipes were also not an exact fit they had to be cut on the ends to make fit.. All in all they are junk comparatively to STUs dew wipes in which no one knows if they will ever be in production again.. as far as the inner dew wipes they are ok.
Originally posted by sledcaddie: Does NOS mean "new old stock"? So, if you go to an auto glass replacement business, they are unable to get Fiero side windows? I've read on here that getting windshields is not problem.
Yes that's correct it means "new old stock".
Yes. Unfortunately if you go to a glass store they are unlikely to be able to find side windows. Some years ago there were threads here on PFF of people finding the last OEM stock left in the country.
The windshields are plentiful and are actually still being produced. My current GT has a Safelite replacement from about five/six years ago and it's a very good replacement windsheld. It's still being produced (it's called "SCI" or something like that). Most Fieros suffer from "windsheld pits" that cause harsh glares in sunlight, so getting a new windshield is a good safety upgrade and is pretty cheap (around or under $200 installed).
As mentioned there was a push recently of a company to reproduce the side windows. However, I haven't checked that thread in a while. I know it was in General Chat.
I've used Ceriglass (polished with a DA tool) on slightly scratched windshields, does the job, BUT dries pretty fast (you'll want a spray bottle full of water handy) , also kinda messy (but I guess they all are.
It's not very expensive, something like 15$ for a 150ml kit.
------------------ Ben 87 GT / 88 GT 84 Indy #1863
I believe that there was a group of individuals whom pursued a company to reproduce the OEM door glass, but I haven't checked that thread in a while (it's a recent thread in General Chat).
Yep, Prosource Glass ran some original style glass with originalstyle UV protection and apparently delivered. I am one of a few folks waiting on the "grey" tinted side windows still in production. However we are not sure if it was a one time thing or if enough demend can be made to do it again. Its odd to me that they are so rare and so few people wanted to get in on the production of some new ones.
Yes, I just received a response from prosource glass. I was told that there is a large order for the factory tint side windows that should be done in 2 weeks. I am on a list to be notified when they are done. $150 + UPS. Keeping my fingers crossed. Is there a video somewhere showing how to replace a window?
So, one more question. I've read about "factory green tint" and "grey tint". So, which color is original to an 88 GT? The only marking on my GT's windows is LOF soft ray and some DOT #.
Well, Prosource Glass came through with flying colors. Richard (at Prosource) told me that LOF, one of the OEM glass makers, had to keep putting the Fiero side windows on hold until after the initial rush for the manufacturer's demand for new car glass for the 2014's. Now that their demand has subsided, the Fiero window order was filled. I received mine in exactly 1 week from Richard calling me and telling me about the order. It is the factory "green", and it looks great, with the edges nice and smooth, and all the holes for mounting it. Now the work begins to install it. Any instructional videos out there?
Not to hijack, but does anyone know how this order was placed? I ask because I've got a couple other oddball cars, and there's always a glass shortage. If there is a magic group order number that would get Prosource to produce some glass, I'd love to know what it is.
Richard (at Prosource) told me that he knew about people wanting the "gray" tinted glass. If those of you who are interested, contact him, and he gets enough numbers, an order could maybe be placed. There is strength in numbers. An example of this is the interest in 88 front wheel bearings. Enough people chimed in on those that Rodney Dickman was able to get them produced. (Thanks, Rodney)
