Scratched windshield

[JPF1]

This sucks. Stopped to get gas and cleaned bugs off the windshiled. The pad on the squeegee had something in it that left some very fine scratches on the windshield. You can not even really catch your fingernail in them. They are right in my line of sight. I called a couple of windshield places about how to repair and they all said i just need a new windshield. Anybody have any ideas of how to buff the scratches out. I have seen several buffing kits on Amazon but the review are all hot and cold on the same product.

 

[Mason]

If your insurance covers glass replacements, you might as well have them get you a new windshield.

If you have a high deductible or whatnot, check this out. Review: CarPro CeriGlass - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum Just make sure that if you DIY you have the right tools. If not, see if you can find a pro detailer who knows their stuff.

Another Link:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...removal-glass-scratches-carpro-griots-da.html

 

[1engineer]

This sucks. Stopped to get gas and cleaned bugs off the windshiled. The pad on the squeegee had something in it that left some very fine scratches on the windshield. You can not even really catch your fingernail in them. They are right in my line of sight. I called a couple of windshield places about how to repair and they all said i just need a new windshield. Anybody have any ideas of how to buff the scratches out. I have seen several buffing kits on Amazon but the review are all hot and cold on the same product.

I have removed scratches from glass in the past, so it can be done. Now for the bad news: It requires WORK! The reason you see good and bad reviews for the same product? That's right, you have to work hard with each and every one. There is no magic product that you wipe on and wipe off that gets rid of glass scratches. They all involve some abrasive and lots and lots of elbow grease.
So now you have three choices:
1. Bite the bullet and buy a new windshield
2. Live with the scratch and ***** about it every.single.day.
3. Buy a product and dedicate a whole day (maybe not a whole day but many hours) and feel good you did it.

Again, it can be done. Actually I have did it many times. The toughest was a 1976 Chevy I bought used (in 1978) that had wiper blade arc scratches. I thought by the time I had finished my glass would have a hole in it but I finally got most of the scratches out. If you can't catch a nail on the scratch you should be okay, just remember glass is extremely hard and removing a scratch is just simple hard work. Shoot, removing a scratch in paint is not easy but glass is much harder! Check out youtube videos on how it's done and don't fall for "Magic" ways to fix it. There is no magic way.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

This sucks. Stopped to get gas and cleaned bugs off the windshiled. The pad on the squeegee had something in it that left some very fine scratches on the windshield. You can not even really catch your fingernail in them. They are right in my line of sight. I called a couple of windshield places about how to repair and they all said i just need a new windshield. Anybody have any ideas of how to buff the scratches out. I have seen several buffing kits on Amazon but the review are all hot and cold on the same product.

It sounds like the scratches aren't that deep, so they should be able to be polished out with a glass polish. If you can't get them out by hand, you may need to do it by machine, and a detailer could do something like that for you, if you don't have the tools. Of course a Glass shop won't polish out scratches, but they will try to sell you a new windshield!

It is best to keep your original factory installed windshield at all costs, unless it is cracked of course. It is a major part of your vehicles structural integrity, and an improperly installed replacement windshield can be very dangerous. All crash testing takes into account a factory installed windshield. Sadly, alot of windshield techs aren't certified installers, and there is no requirement for them to be, so if they don't use the proper adhesives, or apply it incorrectly, it can be very dangerous in a crash. I have even seen the pass side airbag blow out an improperly installed replacement windshield (As they are designed to push back on the windshield during deployment). And on an atheistic side, rarely do you ever see a replaced windshield with the trim reinstalled properly, and alot of techs will damage your vehicle as they quickly attempt to remove your windshield with a sawzall with a flat blade tip!

Here are a few good links that you should check out before considering replacing your windshield (which sounds extremely unnecessary from your description) After checking out both of these, you may not be so quick to go for a windshield replacement.

SafeWindshields.org? | Dedicated to providing information about proper auto glass replacements.

Worry Over Windshields | Video - ABC News

The windshield provides a significant amount of strength to the structural support in the cabin of the vehicle. For instance, in a front end collision the windshield provides up to 45% of the structural integrity of the cabin of the vehicle and in a rollover, up to 60%.

Think about that for just a moment. How would you like for over half of the force of a collision to be absorbed by YOU because your windshield flew out in an accident? It happens more times than most of us are aware.

The windshield is an integral part of the safety restraint system in your car. It keeps the roof from crushing in on you in a rollover, it allows the airbags to deploy in the correct position to cushion passengers, and prevents you and your family from being ejected in a serious collision. It’s important to your family’s safety that the automotive glass in your vehicle be installed properly.

 

[diverscale]

I have buffed big scratches on my last leer tonneau cover with a 3M kit that did a VERY good job.

Though, this was not tempered glass.

If the windshield is tempered, buffing the scratches might be near impossible. If it's not, it is fairly easy with a 3M kit by overlaping with finer and finer grits untill you buff it out.