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Scratches are inevitable no matter how much you try to avoid them. So if you want a clear view while driving, you better know how to remove scratches from the windshield.
Removing scratches from our car doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s actually pretty easy! Little and light scratches must be solved quickly once spotted since the repair, if done, can restore the window’s integrity. Below are steps on how to remove scratches from the windshield step by step efficiently:-
Steps to Remove Scratches from the Windshield
1. Determine the depth of wear windshield scratches
Deep scratches, if not treated, continue to grow until the windshield breaks down. Ask a glass repair specialist for advice. They may tell us to replace the entire windshield. Whenever we feel these scratches while we run our fingernails over them, an expert is the one we need now. That’s because a professional own more modern tools and advanced compounds to repair scratches and cracks. Minor scratches will feel smooth, and worn nails will not become caught in a groove. If we notice that our fingernails are catching, that is a sign we might have a deep scratch on our windshield.
Deep scratches should be addressed as soon as possible as they can be worse over time and eventually might cause the windshield to shatter on its own.
2. Prepare to wear an auto glass repair kit.
Every tool needed to repair the scratch marks comes in a repair kit. Repair kits include a polishing compound for shine and a buffing pad. Cerium oxide, the chemical, is the most suited polish in these kits, but other products are also found and work the same way.
This can cure any defect in the glass quite effectively. This is a lovely solution to fix all deep scratches. The chemical substance is most commonly used in jewelry industries because of its low-abrasive characteristic features. It works well on polishing glass, metal, and ceramic stuff. An acrylic scratch remover is a product similar to cerium oxide. It comes into the market in a liquid form. It works best on lighter scratches.
Another option we might try is assembling the kit components separately. Get cerium oxide or another rubbing compound.
3. Clean up the scratched spots
Wash the windshield, to begin with, with a soap and water solution thoroughly to remove any dust or dirt present. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the windshield before applying the Cerium Oxide chemical rubbing compound on it directly.
Suppose the attempt is to repair a chip, bull’s eye, or star in our shield. In that case, the repair kit provides an applicator device standard everywhere designed to apply pressure to remove air from the repair part to use the compound without the risk of air bubbles.
Do not forget about using tape to cover all parts of the edges of the windshield present. Doing this will help prevent the substance from splashing on other details of the vehicle.
4. Mark the scratched spots
We always need to mark the areas we need to work on. We can outline the scratches with a marker on the other side of the glass and tape on the opposite side to mark the areas.
5. Use the glass repair kit.
When applying the rubbing compound on the car’s windshield, we use it with a soft cloth. We don’t have to worry because most of the rubbing compounds are similar to toothpaste, so it’s not hard to apply and spread it on the surface evenly.
Next, sprinkle a little water on the compound. Use a clean cloth to rub the mixture gently over the windshield.
To make the compound, use a spatula to mix the cerium oxide powder with water in a bowl and then blend these two ingredients until they create a slurry solution. Now Store a little amount of water if the mixture starts to dry during the making process.
6. Buff out the scratches on the windshield
Attach the buffing pad to the drill and once the pad is secure, apply the paste directly to the scratched areas present. Then, we can turn on the drill and run it on the edge of the pad back and forth, along with the scratches, a few times. Keep the pad pressed firmly.
We must ensure that the buffer is specially made for the glass surface only. Utilize just the buffer at the lowest level to polish the affected spots within ten seconds of the start. Since the rubbing compound could dry up quickly, we must polish it as soon as possible.
7. Leave the rubbing compound dry
It usually takes around 30 minutes for the compound to dry out completely. Once dried, we can wash the entire windshield. In the end, we will have more transparent and smoother glass without any scratches present on it.
Bottom Line
A scratched windshield can make it extremely difficult to see during driving. Sunlight reflects off the scratches, decreasing the visibility, and water can collect in the grooves, making it impossible for the windshield wipers to remove the water altogether from it.
While most minor scratches can be removed with the proper tools, deeper scratches should be repaired by a glass repair specialist only.
But before trying these steps, ensure the window is scratched, not cracked.
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Terry is an Automotive Enthusiast and the face behind TopTireReviews. He's an avid reader, mechanic and loves writing blogs about car guides. You can find him on Linkedin
