Windscreen polishing and scratch removal

[Blue Oval84]

Just wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of someone experienced in the art of windscreen polishing. I don't just mean cleaning, I mean proper abrasive polishing to remove all the fine scratches inflicted by the wiper blades?

I could get a new windscreen of course but the current one is original, and has a rain sensor, so given that the kit costs £15 and I've seen You Tube videos of it working, I'd like to give it a go. I'd rather buy the expertise of someone who has done it before though rather than risk inflicting distortions in my screen!

Glassman I'm looking at you...

[familyguy1]

i'm looking at the following as a possible DIY fix as I've somehow managed to scratch my drivers window.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001RAQGXC/ref=wl_it_d...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007CJJLIY/ref=wl_it_d...

would like to hear others peoples thoughts though....

[underphil]

I imagine that you'd need a rotary polisher too, which isn't cheap for a decent one

Would probably be cheaper if a rock were to accidentally hit your windscreen

[underphil]

familyguy1 said:

i'm looking at the following as a possible DIY fix as I've somehow managed to scratch my drivers window.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001RAQGXC/ref=wl_it_d...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007CJJLIY/ref=wl_it_d...

would like to hear others peoples thoughts though....

I wonder how effective a power drill based solution is? - I guess it depends on the drill's quality

I'd also be concerned about how long it might take - it takes a lot of work to get scratches out of glass

[Toyoda]

You'll be on for hours/days/weeks and either make so little difference or mist it up that you'll end up just getting it replaced.

These kits are all just snake oil.

[xjay1337]

Glass is incredibly hard to polish.

It's the hardest thing by far.

It is also very very messy. Horribly messy.

You need cerium oxide based polish (carpro ceriglass) and rayon glass polishing pads and some water.

Apply plenty of polish to a lightly spritzed pad. Polish with hard pressure at max speed on rotary.
When the polish starts to dry, spritz some water on the screen. repeat. polish for about 2 or 3 minutes.
Work in small sections about 20x20"/

I've done some pretty deep scratches on windscreen and side windows.
Don't normally bother.

[benjijames28]

My windscreen is badly scratched. Looks like at some point something has caught in the wipers about 1.5cm in length and scratched the whole way up the wipers blade of motion. They are not deep , you see them more when the sun is on the screen.

Also have a scratch on the driver's front window caused by something getting stuck in there.

I was going to try autogleam window polish after clay barring the windows. Can't imagine I will have much success.

Might be a job for a pro?

Better add it to my list!

[xjay1337]

I had a horrific windscreen on my GTI. Loads of marks and swirly and crap in the light.
This was after washing, claying, hand polishing.

IMG_5725 by Fat Bear Photography, on Flickr

After attacking with the Ceriglass and rotary.

IMG_5726 by Fat Bear Photography, on Flickr

IMG_5722 by Fat Bear Photography, on Flickr

IMG_5724 by Fat Bear Photography, on Flickr

[familyguy1]

thanks xjay1337 I've ordered some snake oil and will have a go next week and report back.

[Blue Oval84]

xjay1337 said:

Glass is incredibly hard to polish.

It's the hardest thing by far.

It is also very very messy. Horribly messy.

You need cerium oxide based polish (carpro ceriglass) and rayon glass polishing pads and some water.

Apply plenty of polish to a lightly spritzed pad. Polish with hard pressure at max speed on rotary.
When the polish starts to dry, spritz some water on the screen. repeat. polish for about 2 or 3 minutes.
Work in small sections about 20x20"/

I've done some pretty deep scratches on windscreen and side windows.
Don't normally bother.

Thanks! That gives me the confidence to just tackle it myself, will order the kit from CYC, and I already have a rotary polisher so good to go on that front

[Tankman104c]

Give it a go!!! You won't make it any worse.

I had some bad scratches on my windscreen last year. Using an ordinary electric drill and a polishing kit from eBay, a few hours work and I've got a nice clear screen. It was a bit messy as you got to keep the area you're polishing wet but worth a try.

[liner33]

xjay1337 said:

I had a horrific windscreen on my GTI. Loads of marks and swirly and crap in the light.
This was after washing, claying, hand polishing.

IMG_5725 by Fat Bear Photography, on Flickr

After attacking with the Ceriglass and rotary.

IMG_5726 by Fat Bear Photography, on Flickr

IMG_5722 by Fat Bear Photography, on Flickr

IMG_5724 by Fat Bear Photography, on Flickr

Someone has to say it , all that crap in your view and you worry about light scratches on the screen , go figure

[xjay1337]

liner33 said:

Someone has to say it , all that crap in your view and you worry about light scratches on the screen , go figure

Noone has to say it.
Maybe make a contribution to the discussion, tt.

[Glassman]

xjay1337 said:

liner33 said:

Someone has to say it , all that crap in your view and you worry about light scratches on the screen , go figure

Noone has to say it.
Maybe make a contribution to the discussion, tt.

A facet of PH in a nutshell.

[PoleDriver]

Last few sheds I've had (150000 miles +) have had many extremely small chips out of the screen which don't show until the sun shines! Would one of these kits help get rid or would a well aimed brick be better?

[anonymous-user]

In my experience, if you fan feel the scratch with thumbnail then you won't be able to polish it out. Waste of time & effort . Even if you did spend hours getting rid of the scratch, it wouldn't be optically correct ..

[Glassman]

PoleDriver said:

Last few sheds I've had (150000 miles +) have had many extremely small chips out of the screen which don't show until the sun shines! Would one of these kits help get rid

No.

PoleDriver said:

or would a well aimed brick be better?

Meaning? Smash the windscreen and claim on your insurance?

[shake n bake]

I've had it done on a couple of cars at work. Results are good but the chap that does it is reluctant as he said if you go to far then it distorts the way the light hits the glass and can end up being quite a distraction for the driver. Get it done on the insurance!

[Glassman]

shake n bake said:

Get it done on the insurance!

Surface pitting may, or may not be covered on every policy. It's all in the interpretation of what the underwriter defines as damage. Some will state clearly that cover will not indemnify against scratching or pitting. Only cracks or chips. This is the bit where people will suggest that you accidentally drive into a floating brick, or claim that a sniper was sat on a bridge etc.

[PoleDriver]

Glassman said:

Meaning? Smash the windscreen and claim on your insurance?