How to remove scratches from a windshield with your own hands: a step-by-step guide

Issues discussed in the material:

• Causes of scratches on the windshield.
• 2 options to remove scratches from windshield wipers.
• Proven ways to remove scratches from a windshield with your own hands at home.
• Advice from car enthusiasts for those who want to remove scratches from their car windshield.
• Final recommendations for removing scratches from a windshield.

Windshield wipers often present drivers with unpleasant surprises - rubbing, chips, cracks. You can only deal with this problem if you really know how to remove scratches from your windshield without accidentally adding additional damage and huge costs.

Not only the aesthetics of the car’s appearance, but also your safety depends on the cleanliness and integrity of the windshield. Therefore, if you want to eliminate scratches on it, this article will help you, in which we have collected proven methods and practical recommendations not only from professionals, but also from ordinary car enthusiasts.

Causes of scratches on the windshield

Car windows must be free of defects, since the ability to have a high-quality view of the road directly affects traffic safety.

Very often, car owners have to deal with scratches on their windows. We list the main reasons for the formation of scratches and clouding on the windshield of a car:

• friction of wiper blades when they are clogged with sand;
• pebbles flying into the windshield when driving;
• inaccurate cleaning of frosted glass;
• improper car washing.

Even small defects in the windshield can provoke the development of such troubles:

• poor visibility strains the driver’s vision, which leads to natural fatigue;
• attention is delayed on scratches, which slows down the reaction to the road situation;
• at night, defects change the scattering of light from oncoming cars, which irritates passengers and the driver;
• The external attractiveness of the car is reduced, especially if scratches from the wipers are clearly visible on the glass.

Types of damage to car glass

The windshield can confidently be called the most vulnerable point of a car. Various defects appear on its surface during operation. They can be divided into the following:

1. Scratch. This defect occurs upon contact with a sharp object whose hardness exceeds the strength of glass. The depth of the scratch does not allow a crack to form. Shallow scratches occur due to sand particles that fall on the car.
2. Round bull's eye chip. This is the most common defect; the chip has the shape of a circle without the formation of cracks.
3. Crack. This kind of defect is the most dangerous. In addition to deteriorating visibility, the crack tends to grow while driving.

Combined defects. They are complex in their structure.

The chip appears when struck by a small stone. Usually it flies out from under the wheels of the car that is moving in front. Solid particles and sand settle on the wiper rubber and cause scratches on the windshield. A crack in the windshield weakens the strength of the body. It needs to be eliminated as quickly as possible

Next, we’ll look in more detail at how to remove some defects from your windshield with your own hands. Let's find out what consumables and special tools are needed.

Remember that defects on the windshield not only detract from the appearance of your vehicle, but can also cause an accident. Don't put off windshield repair!

Proven ways to remove scratches from a windshield with your own hands at home

There are several methods for removing small scratches and clouding from your windshield yourself. This can be done by the average person using some tools.

Glass can be restored by polishing. The options for performing this operation differ only in the materials used.

To successfully implement your plan you will need:

• drill or grinder with variable speed function. It is not advisable to use an angle grinder due to the high working speed;
• felt circle;
• polishing paste or its homemade analogues;
• a bottle of water with a spray bottle;
• marker for marking defects;
• a soft cloth;
• masking tape to protect areas that do not need polishing.

1. Toothpaste

The first thing you can try is to use toothpaste as a polishing compound. But not any kind, but with a whitening effect: all due to the content of abrasive particles in it. The currently fashionable gel pastes are completely unsuitable for polishing.

Polishing occurs using a cotton swab with toothpaste applied. It is necessary to make circular movements at the site of the defect. Then rinse the treated surface well. This way you can only remove very minor scuffs and scratches from the windshield.

2. GOI paste

GOI paste is a mixture of organic fats, chrome greens and excipients (kerosene, stearin, silica gel and others). The author of the recipe is the State Optical Institute, the abbreviation of which became the name of the composition. This paste is used for grinding and polishing glass products, and automobile glass is no exception.

When applied, this paste leaves green, rich marks on the surface. But don’t be afraid of this - after polishing, no marks will be noticeable.

Sequence of operations:

• A piece of soft cloth is soaked in gasoline or kerosene, then GOI paste is applied to it.
• The glass at the polishing site is coated with a thin layer of industrial oil.
• Polishing is carried out, renewing the layer of paste on the fabric from time to time.
• Unacceptably strong pressure on the glass. You need to polish until the scratch disappears. A shine will appear on the glass in this area.
• Unused paste is wiped off the glass with a damp cloth. On average, it takes about an hour to remove minor scratches in this way.

The polishing agent is produced both in solid form - bars and pencils, and in paste form. It is the creamy paste that is packaged in plastic jars. On average, 100 g of polish will cost you 250 rubles.

You can remove small scratches from the surface of the glass using GOI paste No. 2 and No. 3. These formulations do not contain large abrasive particles that pose a danger to the surface of the glass.

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3. Fine sandpaper

Since removing scratches from a windshield using toothpaste is a labor-intensive and boring job, many people ask about sandpaper. It is possible to use it, but you need to be careful not to overdo it.

Only the finest and softest sandpaper should be used. And do not forget about accuracy when performing work. If you put strong pressure on the skin or spend a long time processing one place, you can make a scratch or indentation yourself. As a result, the curvature of the glass will be disrupted, which looks much worse than a small scratch.

The effort and time required to polish glass with sandpaper is also high. You should use abrasive materials with a fraction from 600 to 2500. The surface should be treated first with the coarsest paper, that is, with the lowest number. Then, step by step, sandpaper with a higher number, that is, with a smaller grain, is used. Do not forget to wet the sanding area with water from time to time.

However, sandpaper is only suitable for roughing glass. Next you need to polish with GOI or diamond paste. The grain size of these compositions also varies. The same principle applies here - they start working with large grains and end with the smallest ones.

4. Means for polishing car windshields

Today, the shelves of auto supply stores are filled with a variety of windshield polishing compounds. You should know that they should be applied only with a cotton pad or rag, and under no circumstances should you use felt.

First of all, the polish must be applied to the surface with defects, then rubbed so that there are no sharp boundaries. These measures are usually quite effective for minor damage and allow you to smooth out larger ones.

5. Manicure polish

One of the popular methods is to use nail polish. Not just any one will do, just transparent ones. The scratch is covered with a small amount of varnish, being extremely careful. Then wait for it to dry completely. Then remove the excess with a rubber spatula or a stationery eraser.

In this way, even severe scratches and chips can be smoothed out. However, in the rays of the sun, the location of the defect will still be noticeable, since varnish and glass refract light differently.

How to remove scratches from windshield wipers from a car windshield: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0va63_PRFM

Is it possible to learn polishing yourself?

People learn this too! True, you will have to invest a lot of time. What is the cost of choosing a quality machine and suitable paste? To learn all the details and technology, you need to be really interested and love cars! If garage talk has never inspired you, the knowledge gained will not be worth the time and pain.

If you have already decided to take on the task of putting the glass in order, approach this task responsibly and do not entertain yourself with illusions. The only more or less working “folk” remedy may save money, but it will take a lot of time and will not bring the desired result. The remaining methods are either frankly useless or unsafe! It turns out that all that remains is to master the science of polishing by purchasing a machine, discs and paste, or give the car into the hands of professionals and sleep peacefully!

Advice from car enthusiasts for those who want to remove scratches from their car windshield

• It's easier to install a new one

“I had the following experience. I decided to find out the cost of polishing glass with scratches. They asked for the service from 6 to 8 thousand. At the same time, glass from China costs 10–13 thousand. Conclusion: it’s easier to change the glass than to bother with polishing.”

• Can be removed

“Glass defects can be polished, but it is hard work compared to polishing other parts. For this reason, not all specialists want to do such work. I know firsthand, I earn money by polishing car bodies and glass.”

• This is just unreal!

“Polishing windshield defects can be compared to drifting in a front-wheel drive car. The laws of physics say that the success of this venture is unattainable. For example, polishing paintwork comes down to removing the varnish to the depth of the scratch. Moreover, the varnish is removed from a sufficiently large area so that the difference in the thickness of the varnish is not noticeable.

It’s the same with glass - you need to remove such a layer of it to completely remove the scratch, and even to a width of 10-15 cm around the perimeter of the defect. This is impossible to do purely technically!

Therefore, it is more advisable to either replace the windshield or continue to drive with defects on it.”

• Glass is polished to 100%

“I can conclude that many people do not have experience in this area. The glass is quite polishable. But this is hard and slow work. And no glass distortion after processing. However, you need to have some specialized tool and clearly know the sequence of actions. Therefore, it is easier to contact a specialist. The likelihood of successfully completing the work on your own is low. Do not use the skin under any circumstances!”

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• The result is simply gorgeous

“I have no experience of such work, but I have seen polished glass. A friend at a service station had a composition applied to the glass to fill defects. Then they polished it, but not much. Just removed excess filler. Of course, they didn’t say the name of the product. As a result, the glass looks like new.”

Helpful information

Tips for removing scratches from glass:

1. 
   Before sanding, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned. The ingress of small contaminants will lead to the appearance of new defects.

2. Do not press too hard on the glass. Movements should be circular and fast.
3. After processing, the glass is cleaned with a soft cloth to remove any remaining polishing agent.
4. If the glass is removed for work, it must be securely fixed. However, you cannot use clamps that are too powerful, as it may burst.
5. If polishing is being done for the first time or with a new product, it is better to first practice on some unnecessary glass.

A lot of useful and important information about methods and means of removing scratches on a car can be found here.

Final recommendations for removing scratches from a windshield

Both inexperienced and seasoned car enthusiasts make mistakes when polishing glass. To correct deficiencies, you have to contact specialists or change the part. If you have scratched your windshield and are wondering how to remove the scratch, listen to these tips:

1. Don't rush into polishing. It is better to consult a specialist to see if the work can be done. Sometimes it's cheaper to just replace the glass.
2. Tooth powder is not suitable for polishing windshields. It is good for processing headlights, since the material there is thicker. Using powder on your windshield will only increase the number of defects.
3. It is not always appropriate to use GOI paste, although it is often recommended on the Internet. The thing is that these funds come in several types. If you make the wrong choice, you can get the effect of microlenses, which will increase the load on the driver’s vision.
4. It's important not to overdo it. If you put too much pressure on the sander, you can ruin everything. It is better to work without haste, delicately and carefully.
5. During polishing, you need to control the temperature of the glass, as it may crack due to overheating.
6. If you decide to fix scratches yourself, it is wise to find the removed glass and get the hang of it.
7. You can actually remove microcracks on the windshield from exposure to debris and dust with your own hands. Only professionals can deal with deep defects.

How much does the service cost and how to find specialists?

The service for removing scratches from glass is provided in auto repair shops . Private craftsmen do similar work. The cost depends on their volume, number and depth of defects. The average price in Russian cities is 500 rubles.

You can find specialists through advertisements on the Internet. As a rule, in each city there are several workshops that provide polishing services for car parts. It is recommended to choose proven services that have positive reviews.

Before agreeing to carry out the work, you need to clarify what result will be obtained in the end and whether the treatment will affect the strength of the glass.

Since in case of deep defects it is better to replace it. Installing new side windows will cost 800 rubles, and a windshield - 1,500 rubles (the cost of the work is indicated, excluding the price of the part itself).

The result depends on the preparation

The glass must be thoroughly washed before polishing. Special detergents work well for this, but first you need to wash it with clean water. It is advisable that the roof of the car is also clean, since any grain of sand that accidentally gets between the disc and the glass will add a huge number of deep scratches.

Before you start polishing, it is highly advisable to cover the work area with paper tape with a reserve so that the abrasive paste does not splash (it can be difficult to wash out, especially from plastic). Next, you need to take a grinding wheel and stick it on the frame, while carefully smoothing it so that it does not fly off during work.

Closing the crack

Every driver needs to know that any crack in the windshield weakens the rigidity of the body. If such a car gets into an accident, the consequences will be much worse than with a vehicle whose glass is intact.

What to prepare for DIY repairs

Cracks up to 10 centimeters can be repaired with your own hands. To eliminate the defect you need the following tool:

small-sized drill with a thin diamond drill bit;

A small drill is a great helper when eliminating cracks on the windshield

Thin diamond drill bit is used for drilling glass

Work order

1. Rinse the crack thoroughly and dry thoroughly. Do not use detergents, they will impair the adhesion of the adhesive.
2. Determine the size of the crack.
3. Relieve tension at the defect site. To do this, it is necessary to make through holes at the edges of the crack. This stops the spread process.

Holes at the edge of the defect help relieve stress and stop the crack

Recovery process

To remove scratches from a car windshield, you need to use special compounds from 3M and cerium oxide.

To prepare the paste, you need to mix the oxide with water and stir. The slurry is applied to the polishing wheel and polished at low speed.

Step-by-step instructions for restoring glass transparency with your own hands:

1. Clean the windshield, side and rear windows from dirt.
2. Cover the seals with tape.
3. Apply diluted oxide to the circle.
4. Polish the surface without stopping in one place to avoid overheating.
5. Make sure there are no stains or scratches.
6. Replace the wheel and perform final polishing with anti-hologram paste from 3M.
7. Wash the shield and remove the tape.

After polishing, the car can be driven as usual. If glare appears from lanterns or headlights, it is necessary to make a second pass with 3M compound.

A clean and transparent windshield not only has a positive effect on the appearance of the car, but also does not distract the driver while driving. For the service of glass restoration in a specialized service they will require from 2 to 6 thousand rubles, depending on the complexity of the work. This money can be saved by doing the work yourself and gaining new experience.

Sources

• https://pol-z.ru/remont-lobovogo-stekla-svoimi-silami/
• https://rad-star.ru/pressroom/articles/kak-ubrat-tsarapiny-s-lobovogo-stekla/
• https://StabMarket.ru/himiya-v-bytu/udalenie-carapin-na-stekle-avtomobilya.html
• https://kuzov-media.ru/articles/avtolyubitelyam/kak-ubrat-tsarapiny-s-lobovogo-stekla-avtomobilya/
• https://HozSekrety.ru/defekty/drugie/kak-ubrat-tsarapiny-so-stekla.html
• https://usvetlani.ru/uhod/kak-ubrat-carapiny-so-stekla.html
• https://InfoKuzov.ru/remont/ubrat-tsarapiny-so-stekla
• https://assa59.ru/kak-ubrat-melkie-skoly-na-lobovom-stekle/

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Not just the windshield

Please note that it is not only the windshield that is scratched. One way or another, all car windows wear out.

There may be vertical grooves on the side windows caused by opening and closing the windows. It is necessary to ensure that no abrasive gets between the seal and the glass.

Scratches of varying depths may also appear on the rear window. Often they are left by a scraper when we try to clear ice from glass in the morning. Microscopic scratches on all glass also form during careless car washing, especially when they are wiped with poorly washed napkins.

What to look for when choosing

In addition to the type of car glass cleaner/polish itself, when choosing, you also need to take into account several more parameters. In particular:

• State of aggregation . As a rule, polishes for glass protection are sold in the form of a paste or gel. However, their viscosity and density may vary. Thicker compounds are suitable for repairing significant (deep) abrasions and are usually sufficient for a relatively small area to be treated. Conversely, thinner compounds are designed to treat minor abrasions.
• Terms of Use . Most car glass polishing pastes can be used simply in a garage, without the use of additional tools. However, there are also professional compositions that only work in conjunction with additional equipment. They are usually used in car service settings.
• Grain . The coarser the polish is, the deeper scratches it is designed to handle. Conversely, fine-grained compounds are capable of treating minor damage (fine finishing).
• Additional properties . It is desirable that the polish not only directly polishes the glass surface, but also protects the car glass from moisture, dirt and minor mechanical damage. This will provide better visibility through the glass and improve its appearance.
• Value for money . It is better not to buy frankly cheap products for polishing car glass, since they are not only ineffective, but, on the contrary, can damage its surface. It is better to purchase a polish from the middle or higher price category.

Toothpaste

This is an iconic technique that our fathers used to polish car headlights and car bodies. The paste has a smoothing effect not only on the material, but also on the glass, so scratched glass will take on a new look.

How to polish glass with toothpaste? The method of application is extremely simple. Classic white toothpaste (without particles) should be rubbed in circular motions over the desired area with a soft damp cloth. We perform this activity for about 10-15 minutes. After this time, wipe the glass dry with a damp soft cloth. We repeat this action until we achieve success.

Why is it better to contact a specialist?

And yet, GOI paste and a piece of felt cannot be compared with the equipment in the workshops and the experience of the craftsmen in terms of efficiency and feasibility.

Polishing does not cost exorbitant amounts of money, and the advantages of doing it in a salon are obvious.

• You won’t ruin the glass by mixing strong polish on the advice of an expert on the Internet or by choosing the wrong machine speed.
• The polisher at its optimal speed works more than 100 times faster than your hand with a cloth.
• The service workers have been doing this for several days and know the nuances that are not included in the instructions along with the grinding machine.