Windshield scratches are most annoying and most irritating and they look very bad on the surface. These scratches are hard to remove but you can fix some of the scratches by using a windshield polish and a buffing pad.
You can also fill in scratches by cerium oxide paste. It will help your scratches disappear and it will make your windshield new. It is very necessary to remove these scratches from the windshield. Here are some steps on how to remove scratches from windshields.
Material that you require:
- Glass cleaner
- Water bucket
- Water
- Microfiber cloths
- Painter’s tape
- Cerium oxide polish or alternative
- A bowl
- A stick
- Buffing pad
- Electric drill
- Rubber gloves
- Dust mask
- Goggles (optional)
Washing and protecting the windshield:
- Check how deep the scratch is:
First thing you need to know is how deep the scratch is on the windshield. You can run your finger on the scratch and you can easily feel its deepness. Make sure that you are holding your finger vertically while running over it. You will feel that some of the scratches are deep and they are not fixable but most of the scratches are very smooth to touch and you can easily fix them. If you have got so many deep scratches, ask any professional to replace your windshield as it will break away soon.
- Wash windshield:
Now wash your windshield by applying a glass cleaner on it and dry it completely. It is important to remove all the dirt and debris from the shield before applying any polishing product on it. You can use a regular window cleaner and use microfiber cloths to wipe it off. If you have got any toughest stains on the windshield, you need to clean it with a specialty glass cleaner.
Do not use dish soap on it as it will fade away your car’s paint. If you do not have any cleaner, you can use one part vinegar with one part water and then mix it well. It will act as an all purpose cleaner.
- Scrape off stubborn grime:
Now it is the time to scrape off all the stubborn grime. Use a plastic razor for this purpose. Do not use a metallic razor as it will cause more scratches. Remove all the grime by dragging the razor back and forth alongside the windshield. Keep dragging the razor until you remove all the stubborn grime and then finish it with a damp microfiber cloth.
- Cover the edges of windshield:
Take a painter’s tape and cover all the edges of the windshield. Tape all the edges that are close to scratches. It is an important step as the polish will splatter while applying it onto the scratches. It is better to outline the scratches with the tape or you can place tape inside of the windshield so that you can keep track of the exact spots.
Buffing out scratches:
- Buy a glass repair kit and polish:
You need to purchase a repair kit because it includes all the tools that are required. It includes a buffing pad and a polishing compound. Most of these kits use cerium oxide polish but some of them have other products as well and they all work in the same way. You can purchase kits online or from any auto parts store. For lighter scratches, acrylic scratch remover works best and it is somehow similar to cerium oxide. It is in liquid form and you have to drip in on the pad.
- Use white toothpaste as an alternative:
You can also use white toothpaste instead of buffing compounds. Take non-gel toothpaste with baking soda or you can mix white toothpaste with one teaspoon of baking soda. Then take a microfiber cloth and buff it into the scratches with the help of a buffing pad. When you apply the toothpaste on all the scratches, wipe off the excessive paste. Using toothpaste is an easy way but it is not as effective as cerium oxide.
- Put on gloves and mask:
It is an important step to put on rubber gloves and a dust mask before using any repair powder. It is important because cerium oxide powder is a bit harsh and it is harmful for you. Before opening the polish, take safety measures. Be careful while applying powder on the buffing pad as it can fling powder into the air and in your lungs as well. It is best to wear goggles in order to protect your eyes from the harsh powder.
- Pour cerium oxide into a bowl:
First, take an idea of how much powder you need to fill in all the scratches. Start with a small amount of cerium oxide powder such as two tablespoons. It will be enough for a large portion of the windshield. It is better to focus on a single scratch at a time.
- Make a paste with warm water:
Add some warm water in the bowl already having powder and form a paste. Always add one part of water in every two parts of powder. If you have two tablespoon of powder, add one tablespoon of water to it. Then take a mixing stick and stir them to form a well combined paste. Make it glue like mixture. You can add more water to thin it or you can add more powder to thin the paste.
- Apply the polish:
You can apply the polish with the help of a buffing pad and an electric drill. Take the buff pad and attach it to the end of the drill. Now, dip it into the paste or apply the paste directly on the scratched area. After applying paste on all the scratches, turn on the drill and start running the edges of the pad on the scratched area back and forth. For windshields, you can use only electric drills or polishing tools. Try to use tools that run at 1300 rpm or higher.
- Wipe off excessive paste:
Before drying the paste on the windshield, remove or wipe off all the excessive paste with the help of a microfiber cloth. Remove it easily as your cloth will not reach inside of the scratches. Now you will see a scratch free windshield. But if you still have some scratches, it is because they have not got enough paste, so spread some more paste over them and grind them well.
How to remove scratches from the glass
You got scratches very easily on auto glass but there is nothing to be worried about as you can remove these scratches as easily as you got them. Scratches that are smaller than the width of your fingernail can be easily removed using homemade remedies such as using toothpaste, baking soda and nail polish.
They all are very easy to apply as you just need to clean off your scratched glass first and then apply some amount of your chosen product with the help of a microfiber cloth. After applying it on the whole area, wash them off and here you will get a brand new glass again. We are providing you with a detailed method and steps on how to remove scratches with toothpaste.
Polishing with toothpaste
- Clean off the glass:
Take a clean microfiber cloth and wash your glass. Make sure that you have removed all the dust and debris from the surface as it is necessary. Wait for a few minutes until your glass dries before moving to the next step.
- Damp a microfiber cloth:
Take a clean cloth and dip it into lukewarm water. Squeeze it well and make sure that there is no more excessive moisture in it to dip. Make sure that you have taken a clean cloth as dirt or debris can cause more scratches on your glass when you will rub it.
- Apply toothpaste onto the cloth:
Squeeze the tube of the toothpaste and apply a small amount of it onto the cloth. Do not apply excessive toothpaste at first, start with a small amount but you can apply more if you need. It all depends on the nature of the scratch. If the scratches are very small and smooth, only a small amount of toothpaste is needed.
Non-gel toothpastes with included baking soda are best for this purpose.
- Apply toothpaste to glass:
Place the cloth (having toothpaste on it) on the scratched area. Move the cloth in circular motion gradually. Keep moving it for 30 seconds at least.
- Reapply toothpaste if needed:
Check the scratched area for how it looks. If your scratches have not been removed yet, apply some more toothpaste on the surface. Repeat the previous steps again until you get a scratch free and new surface.
- Clean off the glass:
Take a clean and soft cloth and wet it. Squeeze it well to remove excessive moisture from it. Now, with the help of this damp cloth, clean or wipe off your surface. It will make your glass shine. Do not move it in circular motion and do not press it hard. Now you will see that your scratches have been removed and you have got a new and shiny surface.
You can follow these steps to apply baking soda or polish as well. The only thing you have to change is the product. Instead of toothpaste, take baking soda or polish and apply it on the scratches with the help of a microfiber cloth. Then, remove the excessive product and wipe off your surface.
How do I know if my windshield wipers are bad?
Having windshield wipers with properly working wiper blades are very important for safe driving and operation of your vehicle. You should make sure before driving that your wipers are working well and they will save you in rain, storm, snow or hail. You do not know when you have to face extreme weather and you should be prepared for every situation. You should make sure that your wipers will properly work when you need them. But sometimes, there is a need to replace your wipers as their rubber eventually wears out. Most automotive manufacturers recommend replacing windshield wipers after every six months or with every season.
It is not necessary that your wiper blades will tear from the areas that receive extreme rainfall, but the hot sun is the main reason for tearing your wiper blades as the heat causes blades to crack, wrap and melt. To avoid that problem, many people replace the entire wiper blade but many of them prefer to replace only the soft blade that is inserted. But the question is how will you come to know that you need to change the wipers? What signs will your wipers show? To answer all these questions, we are providing you with some warning signs so that if you are facing those signs, you can replace your wipers as soon as possible without any damage.
- Streaking on the glass:
Windshield wipers are designed in such a way that they perform their function by pressing evenly onto the glass and in this way, they remove water, dust, debris and other small objects from the glass. But if your wipers are worn out or get old, they will be unable to perform their function well and they will leave streaks and spots onto the glass surface while performing. They do not evenly press on the surface. If you face this situation or when you see streaks or spots on the glass surface, it is a sign for you to change your wipers.
- Screeching sound while operating
Smooth wiper blades work in a way just like a brand new razor. They do not produce any sound while operating and they remove water, dust and debris very smoothly from the glass surface. But an old or worn out wiper will produce a screeching sound while operating. This is because of uneven rubber gliding onto the surface. When wiper rubbers are exposed to extreme sunlight and heat, they become hard and this hard rubber produces a screeching sound as well. They can also scratch your windshield. So when you see your wipers are producing a screeching sound, you are in a bad need to replace them.
- Bouncing of wiper blades
When you see that your wiper blades are bouncing when you turn them on, this is a warning for you to replace them as soon as possible. This is because your wiper blade arm may be bent away. In this situation, contact any certified mechanic and let them examine the wiper blades to know what part is broken and needs to be fixed.
source:
Windshield Scratch Repair: A How To Guide – cars direct
4 Step Guide to Remove Scratches from Windshield – portland glass