Sun glare

[Mars]

  Does anyone have sun glare situations with a flat straight up windsheild? 1930 Desoto. When the sun is getting low,the windsheild almost goes white. Thanks in advance .

[Mark Shaw]

I wear polarized sun glasses & don't have that problem.

[Rusty_OToole]

Does the windshield tip out? You could open it an inch in the late afternoon. Not a very appealing solution in winter. Maybe the polarized sun glasses are a better idea.

 

This was a known problem back in the day. Some cars were made with windshields that leaned forward at the top for this reason. Usually seen on town cars and limousines made for urban use to combat the glare from headlights and street lights.

 

Did you ever wonder why some  20s early 30s cars had window blinds on the back window? With a vertical windshield headlights shining in the back window could cause glare.

Edited June 26, 2017 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history)

[JACK M]

18 minutes ago, Rusty_OToole said:

Does the windshield tip out? You could open it an inch in the late afternoon. Not a very appealing solution in winter. Maybe the polarized sun glasses are a better idea.

 

This was a known problem back in the day. Some cars were made with windshields that leaned forward at the top for this reason. Usually seen on town cars and limousines made for urban use to combat the glare from headlights and street lights.

 

Did you ever wonder why some  20s early 30s cars had window blinds on the back window? With a vertical windshield headlights shining in the back window could cause glare.

 

I find that driving at night the reflections can be quite confusing.

I see headlights coming from one side that are really on the other side.

It takes a whole new technique of driving. Especially city driving.

[Mars]

The windsheild does not tip.I thought about adding an additional peice on the outside that could be tipped.i don't think it would take much.Any thoughts?

[C Carl]

Do not introduce another optical element in the light path. It will compound your problem in unexpected ways. If you have proposed this as a solution , I can see you are serious. Go to an automotive glass shop. See if there is a source for flat safety glass with state of the art anti-reflection coatings. Astonishing what that technology can do ! Replacing your windshield and polarized sunglasses will work wonders. Do you use prescription glasses for driving ? If so , get a fine pair of prescription polarized sunglasses. Even if you have slight astigmatism (most adults do) , just that mild correction combined with the polarizing will make you smile ! Please let us know how you make out.  - Carl

[RansomEli]

I've never had a problem in my '21 Franklin. After reading this thread I realize that's because I have polarized sunglasses.

[PFitz]

Ironic. A few minutes ago, I just got done putting new glass in a new, straight-up frame for a 31 conv. coupe. I've driven many cars from the 20's and early 30's with straight-up windshields and never experienced this problem of not being able to see clearly when driving into the sun, if the car had like-new glass in it that was clean. 

 

1. Does it do the same at night with on-coming lights ?

2. Has the plastic film sandwiched in between the two glass layers started to discolor, or craze with age ?  That can look clear when the sun is high, but as it breaks down it has tiny cracks that can scatter more direct light.

3. Look closely at the outside surface of the glass. Is it etched by years of road sand, and/or, lots of small stone chip "road stars" ?

 

If any of the above, then new safety laminate  glass should cure the problem.  

 

My main complaint for straight-up W/S glass - new or old - is rearward reflections - like seen in  C. Carl's pix above. Nothing much can be done about that, except as mentioned if you have a swing-out w/s.

 

Paul

Edited June 26, 2017 by PFitz (see edit history)

[Mars]

Headlights are not bright enough to drive at nite.another problem.I agree new glass should make a huge difference.