Light Scratches on Windscreen

[Mr_Yogi]

Hi, I', looking for some advice regarding my windscreen. I have lots of scratches across nearly my whole windscreen. They follow the ark of the wipers as if the car has been covered in sand with the wipers going. They are very light and are only really noticeable with a low sun, at which point it can be very difficult to see through the windscreen. Is there any way to get rid of these? DIY? Autoglass type folks? Chips away type people? Or is replacement the only option?

[Jimmy No Hands]

You'll struggle to remove it yourself, I'd avoid using polish or anything like T Cut as you'll probably make it worse. It depends on the severity I guess, there was a post on here a few years back from a chap who did it for a living and basically said it's about removing the top layer off down to the level of the scratch and that it is really difficult to do properly. I'd get a few quotes from the professionals.

[BritishRacinGrin]

I posted a thread very simular a couple of months ago and the response from 'Glassman' on here was that yes, the scratches could be polished out but optical imperfections are almost certain and you're better off replacing. I found that a new screen for my car would be around 140 quid fitted so that's what I'll be doing.

[triggerh4ppy]

Replacement is only option really. Ive tried glass polihes in the past and not got anywhere

Good luck!

[Mr_Yogi]

thanks for the replies, now I know not to bother waisting my time getting it repaired. cheers

[Mr_Yogi]

Just one more thing, are scratches something that might be covered by insurance (with windscreen cover)?

[Jimmy No Hands]

Mr_Yogi said:

Just one more thing, are scratches something that might be covered by insurance (with windscreen cover)?

If not just wang a stone at it from distance.


(Don't do this)

[oilslick]

Jimmy No Hands said:

If not just wang a stone at it from distance.


(Don't do this)

Indeed, broken up ceramic stuff from a spark plug works much better

[rj1986]

Phone your insurance - might be able to claim on that if you deem it to be dangerous to your driving. Or, wait for a chip/crack, and drive over pot holes, turn the heat up, and call Gary from Autoglass.

[Glassman]

Mr_Yogi said:

Hi, I', looking for some advice regarding my windscreen. I have lots of scratches across nearly my whole windscreen. They follow the ark of the wipers as if the car has been covered in sand with the wipers going. They are very light and are only really noticeable with a low sun, at which point it can be very difficult to see through the windscreen. Is there any way to get rid of these? DIY? Autoglass type folks? Chips away type people? Or is replacement the only option?

Polishing is a viable option, but requires a lot of effort to do such a large area. The risk attached to a froward facing glass - ie, the windscreen - is distortion. A scratch/scuff measuring three or four inches can take up to two or three hours of polishing - hard, relentless polishing. I've seen one or two detailers have a crack at it (intentional) with reasonable to good results. A good person to talk to about this would be Mr KDS Keltec (however I'd give it a couple of months because he's a busy man at the moment!).

Mr_Yogi said:

Just one more thing, are scratches something that might be covered by insurance (with windscreen cover)?

This will be how your policy (or insurer) interprets damage. Some will not entertain 'cosmetic' issues.

rj1986 said:

Phone your insurance - might be able to claim on that if you deem it to be dangerous to your driving. Or, wait for a chip/crack, and drive over pot holes, turn the heat up, and call Gary from Autoglass.

And pray that the fella they send out has the right attitude and experience. There are other repairer options.

[Stick Legs]

Hit it with a hammer.

[Barchettaman]

I improved scratches on a windscreen with a cheap jeweller's rouge kit off eBay and a drill.

They weren't perfect but they were improved enough for the purchaser not to notice them.