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Windshield tiny dots specks that show in bright sunlight?

GoodSam

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Something I thought that I could clean off, but now seems impossible, is that the Windshield is covered by numerous tiny bright dots or pin points (say, on average, less than 1/4" apart) that appear when the sun shines almost directly through them. Has anyone else noticed a problem like that?

I thought it was maybe an overspray by a quick detailer that I used, but after a few attempts with normal window cleaning products, the dots do not seem to be disappearing and it seems to somewhat continuously, but without any pattern, to cover the whole windshield area. I think it must be a light overspray of something very sticky at the factory that got on the windshield. I have not noticed if the whole vehicle has a coating of speckles. I took magnifying glass but I could not see anything on nearby surfaces, but neither could I see dots on the surface of the glass from the outside. Do not see on or through the driver's side glass. Maybe a dust storm during transport etched the glass? Something sticky from the covering used during transport? A very fine tree sap? But no smearing of a goo during cleaning. Very tiny, but annoying when the sun or a bright flashlight shines through them. Maybe a "Clay bar" treatment can remove it? It looks like a fingernail could scrap it off, but no effect so far. Have not tried a razor blade.

I have read some articles that say it is just the way glass is put together with the inner plastic that can cause the speckling of tiny bright dots. Please say there is a remedy for this problem?

Update: Here are a couple of photos at 800pixels wide reduced from 4000pixels. This is after a claybar treatment by the dealer. I am amazed at the specks that I was able to see across the windshield from the passenger side. Today I started the process with the dealer service dept. to contact Ford for a warranty replacement.
Ford F-150 Lightning Windshield tiny dots specks that show in bright sunlight? VC063369.JPG

Ford F-150 Lightning Windshield tiny dots specks that show in bright sunlight? VC063375.JPG

Update: Dealer never followed through. Tried the isopropyl alcohol and after a few attempts, I think it removed some sparkling excess dust and maybe some particles left by the dealer claybar, but a sparser pattern of bright specks still remains. Need to get a good photo of that.
Update 11-2023: after having the windshield replaced due to a rock hit, the new windshield has the same trapped tiny specks in its lamination. So no fix, just better manufacturing is needed. I think I read something about keeping air out of the laminating process?
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Pioneer74

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There was something on our Mach-E windshield that we didn't notice until we drove it at night. I ended up wiping it down with rubbing alcohol to get it off. Looks clear now.
 
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GoodSam

GoodSam

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beast1986
Hey, I was just googling about these windshield specks I’m seeing on my Lightning in low angle direct sunlight and I came across your post about the same issue. I saw in your update that you had a new windshield installed and it had the same specks. Did you ever pursue this further or did you just decide to put up with it?
Thanks!

Reply from GoodSam
Just putting up with the specks. I think it is poor manufacturing by Ford on the glass, perhaps not pulling a high enough vacuum to pull out the air? Would be interesting to get inside a bunch of F-150s on a sunny day and see how many suffer from the specks.
 

Cvh8601

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Mine definitely has this. It was immediately “clear” that it was inherent to the windshield.

Hearing that replacement windshields still have it is disappointing. First time I’ve ever seen such a thing on a windshield.

I wonder if @Ford Motor Company has any comment
 

Scorpio3d

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Something I thought that I could clean off, but now seems impossible, is that the Windshield is covered by numerous tiny bright dots or pin points (say, on average, less than 1/4" apart) that appear when the sun shines almost directly through them. Has anyone else noticed a problem like that?

I thought it was maybe an overspray by a quick detailer that I used, but after a few attempts with normal window cleaning products, the dots do not seem to be disappearing and it seems to somewhat continuously, but without any pattern, to cover the whole windshield area. I think it must be a light overspray of something very sticky at the factory that got on the windshield. I have not noticed if the whole vehicle has a coating of speckles. I took magnifying glass but I could not see anything on nearby surfaces, but neither could I see dots on the surface of the glass from the outside. Do not see on or through the driver's side glass. Maybe a dust storm during transport etched the glass? Something sticky from the covering used during transport? A very fine tree sap? But no smearing of a goo during cleaning. Very tiny, but annoying when the sun or a bright flashlight shines through them. Maybe a "Clay bar" treatment can remove it? It looks like a fingernail could scrap it off, but no effect so far. Have not tried a razor blade.

I have read some articles that say it is just the way glass is put together with the inner plastic that can cause the speckling of tiny bright dots. Please say there is a remedy for this problem?

Update: Here are a couple of photos at 800pixels wide reduced from 4000pixels. This is after a claybar treatment by the dealer. I am amazed at the specks that I was able to see across the windshield from the passenger side. Today I started the process with the dealer service dept. to contact Ford for a warranty replacement.
VC063369.JPG

VC063375.JPG

Update: Dealer never followed through. Tried the isopropyl alcohol and after a few attempts, I think it removed some sparkling excess dust and maybe some particles left by the dealer claybar, but a sparser pattern of bright specks still remains. Need to get a good photo of that.
Update 11-2023: after having the windshield replaced due to a rock hit, the new windshield has the same trapped tiny specks in its lamination. So no fix, just better manufacturing is needed. I think I read something about keeping air out of the laminating process?
Looks like fairy dust!😂🤣😂
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