Rear Window Scratching on 3rd Gen
 

Ever since I bought my truck used, there as been a vertical scratch on my rear window, as though something inside the rear hatch is rubbing when the window rolls up and down. It LOOKS like it might be getting worse, AND there appear to be a new, albeit smaller one developing right next to it. Has this happened to anyone else? I hesitate to do any opening up of the gate unless it is really simple...

take a close look at the area of weatherstrip causing the scratch, use a flexible piece of thin plastic to slide between the w/s and glass and see if you can dislodge the offending piece of grit. if its on the inside, take off the inner gate panels (all) and inspect the w/s for imbedded grit etc. failing that, you may want to replace the w/s and see if you can have the glass polished to soften the scratch up so its not as noticable. hope this helps.

lee

That's the one drawback to a power back window - stuff gets into the weatherseal and scratches the window. I had one bad streak that kept getting worse and finally I discovered that the wiring harness inside the tailgate had come unclipped and was rubbing the glass. But after 15 years and 172,000 miles the entire window was scratched enough from dust and mud that it didn't show anymore....

Good advice from everyone...

I would also like to add that you may be able to buff out some of the scratch by using toothpaste as a polish. Another thought, which applies to certain insurance policies, is that your glass coverage will cover any window. In fact, my glass coverage covers headlights, tail lights, parking lights, and all windows. Kinda cool.

i wouldnt try toothpaste just yet, search for window polishing products first. I think www.griotsgarage.com offers window polishing. You might end up having to pay deductable to your insurance co. depending on what you have, check with your insurance first. I think mine is $100

Why would you buy something for the window before you tried something readily available and "free?"

if it's free, hey go ahead, I was just concerned about the fact that you might pay deductable. Didnt mean to step on your toes there.

No problem, I just didn't understand why he would go to Griot's first. No toes stepped on. :)

Really headlights!?! I never thought of that being covered under the glass insurance. I may need to call my agent!

I have USAA, they rock. No deductible on "glass" claims. :)

The paint guys where I work use mag wheel polish on glass with a buffer. I was shocked the first time I saw that. I don't believe it will polish out real scratches, where I've seen it is (kinda funny) people gripe because they get water stains on tinted windows and it really shows. (They are of course complaining to the warranty dept...) One of the paint guys grins and splats a dab of mag wheel polish on the glass and hits it with the buffer. I nearly croaked (those windows are expensive) but in 3 seconds it was perfect! He said he's been doing that for years...