scrathed glass

[Tom S.]

I have some minor scrathes in both of the door glasses on my car. I am curios if any one knows a good way to get these out without relacing them. They are in good shape other than that and they are origonal. I have heard tooth paste and a lot of rubbing, any ideas?

Tom Stanton

[Dave Suesz]

Any car dealer...

...uses a service to remove these marks when neccesary. I had a huge vertical scrape, 1" wide, on the driver's door glass on a car I bought used a few years ago. Their guy turned this huge scar into a slighty wavy area. Now if they will tell who they use...

[Sydney G.]

Scratched Glass

In a previous thread on this subject it was mentioned that Eastwood makes a product for fine glass scratches. I have not tried it yet, just noted it down.
Syd

[Kevin M.]

Re: Scratched Glass

I found a guy in the L.A. area that gets rid of the acid etched graffiti on plate glass store windows. His cost is 50 to 75% less than replacing the window. He also does automotive, he came to me. He used a three step process, using a water cooled flat disc sander, different grits and pads. Removed two scratches you could feel with your finger nail, left a very very slight distortion you can't see it unless pointed out. Check the internet for glass scratch removal, cost me if I remember $45-65, his min.

Kevin

[Gary S.]

Re: Scratched Glass

IIRC, there have been posts on this list about that subject. Check the archives first. I think I remember the advice that if you drag your fingernail across the scratch and it catches, then the Eastwood product, as well as most others, will not do you any good. Since I have no experience with this subject, caution is advised. I am merely going from memory.

Gary

[Terry M.]

Re: Scratched Glass

I have used the same product as Eastwood sells to remove scratches from the side windows of my 1970, but I bought mine from a business which supplies the glazing trade. There were about 5 to 6 scratches on each window, and one could easily feel them with a fingernail. I spent between 15 and 20 hours per side, working only 2 or 3 hours each evening. When I got tired, I stopped and came back another day. It can be done, but it takes a lot of patience. One might be able to do it more quickly than I did, but I didn't want to over heat the glass.

[Sydney G.]

Re: Scratched Glass

Hi Terry,
I take it that after all the hours you spent using this process you had good results. My cars glass has many, many scratches both fine and deep. Any improvement to stay with the original glass in the long run would be beneficial for me.
Did you perform the work with the glass removed and do you recommend this application for an amateur?
Thanks!
Syd

[Kevin M.]

Re: Scratched Glass

No really find a guy like this. Only takes about an hour and he can fix most glass on the car. I had my vent window out so he did it this way.

Kevin

[Terry M.]

Re: Scratched Glass

I would rate the project as a success. There are waves in the glass, but the judges never noticed and I would have to show you how to see them. Of course, once you know where they are, they are easy to find. I don't notice them unless I look for them, though.

I found it best to remove the glass. I tried to avoid that, but I couldn't get the felt polishing tool close enough to the bottom of the glass without damage to the chrome on the window felts. If one didn't have the scratches going all the way to the bottom of the glass - like maybe the wiper scratches on a windshield, it might be a different story. Clean up was easier by get the glass away from the car. I had to put the curved glass on an old comforter to keep it well supported.

The speed of the polishing motor is critical. Too fast and the abrasive slurry spins off the felt buffer. Too slow and the abrasive doesn't cut. The polishing motor is not inexpensive, although it can serve other purposes. IIRC the instructions call for 1400 RPM, but that is from memory so check the instructions before investing in a tool.

BTW: My work was on the side glass. I am not sure that windshield glass will polish in the same way, given that it is a different type of glass, but I wouldn't hesitate to try it.

I was, and maybe still am, an armature at glass polishing. I had no skill before I started. Yes I believe anyone can do it. One should be careful - that's all.

[Terry M.]

Re: Scratched Glass

I wouldn't hesitate to pay somebody, if I knew the service was available. Especially someone who came to me so that I never let the glass out of my sight. One has to figure out how much your time is worth. Some "work" is fun. Polishing glass gets old quick. Now you know how I know.