Windshield Scratch Removal?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Niceville FL
Windshield Scratch Removal?
Has anyone had good results removing windshield scratches. Looks like the previous owner's ends of the metal arms went back and forth a couple of times on the windshield. The scratches are borderline when I run my fingernail over them, they are not deep gouges. I hate to replace the windshield and mess with all the stainless.
Thanks
Steve
Thanks
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 39
From: Ct.
St. Jude Donor '06-07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
I once used the Eastwood product for removing light marks in the windshield and did it by hand. They also have a kit with a buffing wheel but I didn't try that. Usually, if you can catch your fingernail in the scratch, these products won't do much to remove them.
It can be a mess though and if you attempt this be sure to mask along the weatherstrip and cover the rest of the car.
Rich Lagasse
It can be a mess though and if you attempt this be sure to mask along the weatherstrip and cover the rest of the car.
Rich Lagasse
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 12
From: Pleasant Grove AL
Originally Posted by richscorvettes
I once used the Eastwood product for removing light marks in the windshield and did it by hand. They also have a kit with a buffing wheel but I didn't try that. Usually, if you can catch your fingernail in the scratch, these products won't do much to remove them.
It can be a mess though and if you attempt this be sure to mask along the weatherstrip and cover the rest of the car.
Rich Lagasse
It can be a mess though and if you attempt this be sure to mask along the weatherstrip and cover the rest of the car.
Rich Lagasse
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,482
Likes: 27
From: Plum Boro, Pa. USA Pennsylvania
For a buncha years I had 2 "opaque/frosted" arcs across my windshield, there when I bought the car. It bothered the HELL out of a bud who used the Eastwood kit on one of his cars and he insisted on doing mine.
He mixed the powder into a paste, then used an electric drill with buffing (?) pads. The windshield came out spectacular!
Of course, it DID cost me a "Big Fish" sangwich from "Zack's" - a local place - and 3 "Arn City's"! 
Cruz
He mixed the powder into a paste, then used an electric drill with buffing (?) pads. The windshield came out spectacular!
Of course, it DID cost me a "Big Fish" sangwich from "Zack's" - a local place - and 3 "Arn City's"! Cruz
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,682
Likes: 3,678
From: Central Arkansas
The Eastwood kit should remove or greatly decrease the appearance of the scratches from your description. I don't believe you will have any distortion - they provide a fairly large diameter buff that prevents puting too much localized pressure on it. The earlier kits had an about 1 inch diameter buff and if you really put your weight on it, it could distort the glass a little. Also in an assembled car, you will not be able to lean on it hard enough to do any damage. Just keep it wet (don't use any liquid soap or anything like that in the water) and keep it slowly moving and it will be fine. A couple of warnings - mask off with newspaper from the edge of the glass outward. This stuff does splatter everywhere. Be sure the glass is clean, clean, clean, and keep the buff clean. I use a razor blade and drag the edge over the buff after awhile to scrape any excess mess and dirt off. Also, once you do a small area, it will look so much shiner and cleaner that you will end up needing to make a quick pass over the whole windshield to make it all uniform. Guess that's 3 warnings. Also, it's slow, so plan on a morning to do the whole glass and clean up. That's 4 cautions. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
My 63 has this windshield affliction as well, and I plan on using the buffing before considering replacement.
Now, how about the convertible glass. Obviously no wiper scratches, but what's the best way to clean these up?
Now, how about the convertible glass. Obviously no wiper scratches, but what's the best way to clean these up?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,764
Likes: 0
From: Colo. Spgs. Colo.
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
The stuff thats used to help get rid of scratches and 'wiper rash' in windshields is called 'cerium oxide'. You make a paste out of it and use a hard felt pad to buff out light scratches with it but if you over abuse it you will distort the windshield. And it wont work on tempered.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Originally Posted by jsdailey
My 63 has this windshield affliction as well, and I plan on using the buffing before considering replacement.
Now, how about the convertible glass. Obviously no wiper scratches, but what's the best way to clean these up?
Now, how about the convertible glass. Obviously no wiper scratches, but what's the best way to clean these up?