Have a damaged windshield and aren’t sure how to proceed?
Regrettably, insurance seldom covers the cost of scratch repair, and most shops charge between $150-$300. Why waste money if you don’t have to?
Fortunately, we have created a simple manual instructing how to eliminate scratches from a windshield without professional help.
Here is what you will require:
- Drill with rubber polishing wheel
- Scratch repair product
- Glass cleaner
- Microfiber cloth
- Masking tape
The process is swift and straightforward, taking less than an hour to complete from start to finish.
But before we explain the steps, let us first look at the various scratch repair products available.
Later on, we will evaluate how to identify if you’re facing a scratch or a crack, and ultimately, we will discuss a couple of straightforward methods to avoid future scratches.
Let’s get moving instantly!
Table of ContentsShow
Windshield Scratch Repair Products
Clear Acrylic Nail Polish
Yes, you read that correctly.
Clear acrylic nail polish is advantageous as a windshield scratch remover. It acts as a sealant that fills in the grooves left by scratches.
Not only is it transparent, but when it dries, it solidifies and, when used properly, leaves behind a pristine surface.
Baking Soda And White Toothpaste
Ready for another homemade concoction for scratch repair that might astonish you?
Baking soda combined with conventional toothpaste. We’re earnest.
Yet, it only works well on minor scratches and requires repeated applications since it wears away rather rapidly.
Cerium Oxide
Cerium oxide is an oxide from the rare earth metal Cerium. It comes in powdery form, and when mixed with a minuscule amount of water, it becomes a dense paste-like substance.
Many specialty windshield polishing products contain cerium oxide. Meaning you can either buy the powder yourself or purchase a product that has it in the mixture. Either of these is your optimal bet for profound windshield scratches.
What’s The Difference Between A Scratch And A Crack?
If you didn’t already know, a windshield typically features two sheets of laminated glass with a plastic layer between them. If the damage to your windshield penetrates the exterior layer, it’s a crack; if it doesn’t, it’s a scratch.
While you might be able to diminish the appearance of a crack using a windshield repair tactic, you won’t solve the problem entirely. If one is left alone, it’s likely to spread.
This will not only further impede your visibility but may compromise the integrity of the windshield as well.
Think of a scratch as, essentially, a groove carved into your glass. By filling in that groove with a transparent substance and polishing the surface afterward, you effectively remove the scratch.
DIY Steps For Repairing Scratched Glass
Step 1: Determine How Deep The Scratch Is
The first step is to determine whether a repair is even feasible at all. You can do this by running your finger or fingernail across the surface.
A repairable scratch shouldn’t catch on your nail and should feel smooth to the touch. If it does catch, it’s likely too deep to fix using a DIY method.
Step 2: Clean The Windshield With Glass Cleaner
Using the glass cleaner and soft cloth, wipe down the entire windshield to ensure there’s no debris left on it. Dust and dirt can collect on your polishing wheel, which will further scratch your windshield while buffing.
Step 3: Tape Off The Affected Area
Especially after getting wet, scratches can be challenging to see once you’ve repaired the deeper areas.
For this reason, you’ll want to surround it with masking tape to ensure you don’t lose sight of it. You can also use a removable marker if you don’t have tape available.
Step 4: Prepare And Apply The Scratch Repair Product
Depending on the repair products you’ve selected, you may need to prepare them. This applies to cerium oxide powder, as well as baking soda and white toothpaste, which require a tiny amount of water to be added to the mixture.
The same might apply to some specialty products as well. However, most of these come as a thick substance that can be directly administered to the windshield. Be sure to follow any additional instructions listed on the bottle.
For acrylic nail polish or an acrylic-based stain remover, simply apply, wait for it to dry, and wipe clean.
For the other options, you will have to attach a polishing wheel to a drill. Then, apply the product, and start buffing. The concept is to maintain a smooth consistency. Too much and you’ll leave a mess, and too little and it may not fill the scratch entirely.
Work in circular patterns up and down the scratched area cautiously, with minimal pressure. Don’t buff for too long in one spot either, as it might get hot, in which case you might damage your windshield.
You might have to repeat the process multiple times, but if it was a minor scratch, you should observe it vanish entirely.
Step 5: Clean The Window
Finish by spraying the windshield with glass cleaner again and wiping it immaculate with the microfiber cloth.
Tips For Preventing Future Scratches
Keep Your Windshield Clean
While they might not cause deep scratches, debris left alone on your windshield can leave slight scratches as your wipers move over them.
Thankfully, if you make it a habit to keep your windshield spotless, you can reduce the probability of this happening.
Watch For Signs Of Aged Wipers
Worn wipers are one of the primary culprits of window scratches. If you start to notice they’re less efficient than usual, it can mean their rubber blades are beginning to deteriorate.
If they wear too much, it may expose the metal surface, which is what will be scraping against your windshield.
Other signs include chattering against the windshield at highway speeds, leaving marks, and noticeable damage like cracks.
Be sure to replace them with a fresh pair every change in the season (around every six months).
Keep Wiper Fluid Topped Off
Using your wipers without spraying the windshield first is a superb way to end up with light scratches. Remember, dust and dirt are essentially small rocks, and if your wipers scrape them against the windshield, it’s likely to leave a scratch.
Thankfully, a tiny spritz of washer fluid is all it takes to keep your windshield spotless while wiping.
Don’t Waste Money If You Don’t Have To
Instead, repair minor scratches yourself at home.
All it takes is a handful of household items, a scratch repair solution, and a little patience and perseverance. At the end of the day, you will have a scratch-free windshield and a higher balance in your checking account.
