How to remove scratches from a car windshield: the best methods

Over time, any motorist will be faced with the question of how to remove scratches from a car windshield. Scuffs can occur due to the operation of the wipers and other mechanical damage. Even driving on a good road does not prevent small pebbles and grains of sand from getting onto the viewing glass. The easiest way to achieve high-quality polishing is with the help of a professional product, for example, a special glass polishing paste. You can try other methods - leveling the surface using toothpaste and GOI paste, manicure varnish, fine sandpaper.

Causes of scratches

If you look closely at the surface of the windshield of a car, even with low mileage, you will notice many small scratches and abrasions. Most often, mechanical damage occurs due to small stones flying off from under the wheels of an oncoming car. There are other reasons:

• contact with sharp branches;
• grains of sand and dust getting under the wipers;
• rough cleaning of the icy surface with a plastic scraper;
• improper car washing.

Scuffs reduce the transparency of the viewing glass, which impairs visibility. The motorist's eyesight increases.Larger defects distract the driver while driving, attracting the eye, thereby creating the threat of an emergency. The external gloss of the car is lost, it looks unkempt even after visiting the car wash.

How to remove scratches yourself

When starting to polish glass, you need to act carefully. If you overdo it in applying effort and duration, you can achieve the opposite effect - the surface will become cloudy. Therefore, these recommendations should be strictly followed. To begin with, you can practice on a piece of unnecessary glass.

Toothpaste

You can remove scratches from your windshield using toothpaste. You should choose a hygiene product with a whitening effect. These pastes contain added components that give tooth enamel smoothness and shine. These properties are also useful when processing glass.

In addition to the paste, you will need a polishing felt disc. The operating mode of the machine is no more than 1600 rpm.

If you don't have a felt disc, you can use a similar cloth and polish it by hand. Don't squeeze out a lot of paste onto the felt; a pea-sized amount is enough. Polishing is carried out using circular rubbing movements, monitoring the condition of the glass. When the surface is leveled, the paste is washed off with water and the restored area is wiped with a dry soft cloth. The method is suitable for eliminating minor defects. Deep scratches cannot be removed with toothpaste.

Paste GOI

GOI paste has a stronger effect. This product is used for polishing steel, glass, ceramic, metal and other surfaces. The polishing agent got its name from the first letters of the name of the place where the composition was developed - the State Optical Institute.

The abrasive contains chromium oxide, organic fats and some additives (stearin, kerosene, silica gel). Depending on the polishing ability, GOI paste is divided into 4 types. To get rid of scratches on glass, it is better to use composition No. 3. It keeps the surface free from scratches, but the polishing won't be too rough. The grain size of paste No. 3 is 17-8 microns.

Correct use of the product:

1. Dampen a piece of soft cloth with gasoline.
2. Apply a small amount of paste to the wet area.
3. Wipe the glass with technical oil.
4. Begin polishing, adding paste as you go.

The procedure will take approximately 1 hour. When rubbing the paste, do not press too hard on the surface. When the defects disappear and the glass acquires a shine, remove the remaining paste with a damp cloth. The form of release of the abrasive does not matter. GOI paste can be packaged in a plastic container, or in the form of a pencil or bar.

Fine sandpaper

You need to be extremely careful with sandpaper. If it is used improperly, new defects may appear on the glass. Scratches are first removed using 600 grit paper. For final polishing, fine sandpaper (2500 grit) is used. It is convenient to carry out the work using a grinder with an attachment equipped with Velcro, to which sandpaper is attached. If you don’t have a grinder, a construction drill will do.

You need to work at low speeds - 1500 rpm or less. If the disc rotation speed is too high, the glass may break. After sanding, final polishing is carried out using a felt wheel and polishing mixture. To avoid overheating of the glass, water it with water during operation.You can also remove abrasions with sandpaper manually, but this method will take more time.

Manicure polish

You can remove cracks from your windshield yourself using colorless manicure varnish. This simple method will put off expensive repairs for a while and prevent further cracking. The varnish is taken from the bottle with a brush and rubbed into the crack until it is completely filled.

If the damage is through, the glass will need to be coated on the inside as well. After this, the car must be placed in the sun to dry the varnish. This product can be considered as a temporary sealant if the damage cannot be repaired immediately. Don’t put off visiting a repair shop for too long after this.

Windshield polishing products

The best way to polish the windshield from scuffed wipers is with a product specially designed for this purpose. Polishes are widely represented on the market. The compositions vary in price, composition, release form:

1. German remedy "SONAX ProfiLine Glass Polish". Polish doesn't just remove streaks from your wipers. With its help, you can restore the smoothness and shine to the windshield and side windows of your car. A 250 ml bottle is enough for 2-3 treatments. The composition is rubbed into the shadows using a felt disc.
2. Glass polish and cleaner "Doctor Wax". The product is made in the States. One treatment is enough to eliminate defects and prevent new damage. The consistency of the polish is similar to toothpaste. "Doctor Wax" gives the surface water- and dirt-repellent properties. Bottle volume – 300 ml. The product is used economically and lasts a long time.
3. American polish "Turtle Wax CLEAN GLASS". The composition has a combined effect - it cleans and polishes glass at the same time. Suitable for removing scuffs and minor scratches, helping to restore the original shine. Due to its liquid consistency, the product is consumed quite quickly.
4. Spray "Grass nano-protection NF 04". The advantage of the composition is that it is not washed off by rain and windshield washer fluid. The spray fills microcracks and gives the surface shine for a long time. For processing use a soft cloth or polishing machine. Not suitable for tinted glass.
5. Glass polish from Glass Gloss. The polish produced by the Russian brand is available in two versions - with large and small polishing particles. Abrasive processing occurs in two stages, which allows you to achieve the best result. First, the base composition is applied, and then the finishing composition.

The variety of polishes makes it possible to choose the appropriate composition in each specific case, taking into account the existing problem.

Useful tips

For beginners, it is better to consult with a specialist before removing scratches and abrasions on the windshield yourself. Perhaps these efforts will be in vain and it is better to immediately replace the glass than to try to restore it.

To restore the characteristics of glass, it is important to choose the right paste, taking into account its grain size. For advice on choosing a product, it is also better to contact car service workers. In some cases, paraffin or wax will help the motorist. A small amount of the substance, when rubbed in, makes surface scratches invisible. Before polishing, you should protect your face and hands with a mask, respirator, special glasses, and gloves.

Before starting work using polish, the body must be covered with polyethylene, and then a window must be cut to the size of the windshield. The edges of the film are secured to the car with tape. You can determine the location of scratches by running your finger over a smooth surface. It is better to immediately mark any detected damage with a marker so as not to lose problem areas during processing.

Before you begin to remove scratches, the glass must be washed thoroughly, leaving no dust or grains of sand on it. After cleaning, wipe the surface with a dry, absorbent, lint-free cloth. Beginners should not use a professional polishing tool. They can easily deform glass, resulting in a “lens effect.”

It is better not to allow a large number of scuffs and scratches on the windshield. Regular use of cleaning and polishing compounds will protect your car windows from minor damage. Small flaws can be eliminated using improvised means. The use of specialized polishes will have a preventive effect.