The windshield on our 2003 Subaru Outback H6 VDC seems to show more starbursting at night (long arms of light across the windshield emanating from bright lights), and my guess is it's due to micro scratches on the windshield from being hit with sand/debris at highway speeds over the years. After cleaning the windshield you can still see these small scratches across the whole windshield. Is this a problem any of you have noticed on older windshields? I'm thinking the only way to improve the night visibility is to replace the windshield for about $200-250 parts and labor (that's for an aftermarket, not Subaru windshield).

The windshield on our 2003 Subaru H6 VDC seems to show more starbursting at night (long arms of light across the windshield emanating from bright lights), and my guess is that it's due to micro scratches on the windshield caused by sand/debris hitting at highway speeds over the years. After cleaning the windshield you can still see the small marks across the whole windshield that almost look like a very thin layer of clear gunk but are actually part of the windshield. Have any of you noticed this on older windshields?

 

If this is a wear and tear issue, the only thing to do is to replace with an aftermarket PPG or Pinkelstone windshield for about $200-250 parts and labor.

You might be able to clear up the glass with some non abrasive car polish and a buffing wheel. I have done this when glass cleaner just won't remove the road film.

Also, windshield prices go up and down with availability so if you don't like the price and it's not urgent to have it replaced, try waiting a month or so and you may be able to get a better price.