Anyone know how to polish out a scratch in glass?

[speedster911]

I had a plastic container fall from ceiling storage and scratched my 911 rear window ( with defrost if that makes a difference) . Only see the transfer scratch at a certain angle, but i want to correct it.

Anyone have good DIY process or recommend someone that specializes in this? I spoke to a detailer friend he doesn't do it. Thanks everyone

[dgtlhybrd]

its a pretty time consuming process - but you can use 3M Glass Polishing Compound or Cerium Oxide powder (same stuff im pretty certain)

lots of water and the compound + orbital polisher + felt orbital pad
it takes a LONG time to see progress, and if the scratch is really deep, it might not be too fixable


If its on the defroster side, you might want to be super careful to not polish/grind off the defroster lines

this video is pretty good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9la9hFWZmo

[Bill Douglas]

If it was a plastic container that hit the glass; with some luck it's not actually scratched, but rather a mark on the glass. Have you tested it with your fingernail. To be sure you could go over the mark with some solvent such as paint thinners which would remove the plastic.

[stownsen914]

What Bill said. I'd be surprised if plastic can scratch glass. Maybe some of the plastic transferred to the glass, which should come off more easily. Good point above about being careful near the defroster lines.

[fireant911]

It may be worth a shot to attempt scratch removal in glass using good old toothpaste! A quick google search shows lots of entries using this approach. One site recommended to NOT use Colgate Sensitive Max Strength or Sensodyne because it may be too abrasive.

[john walker's workshop]

Try OOOO steel wool first.

[Dpmulvan]

Originally Posted by speedster911

I had a plastic container fall from ceiling storage and scratched my 911 rear window ( with defrost if that makes a difference) . Only see the transfer scratch at a certain angle, but i want to correct it.

Anyone have good DIY process or recommend someone that specializes in this? I spoke to a detailer friend he doesn't do it. Thanks everyone

2000 grit aluminum oxide followed by Optical grade cerium oxide, lots of water to keep the heat down.I use to polish glass I have a bunch if you want some shoot me a pm and I’ll send you some.

[AG81]

I use this with very good results......




Yes on glass !!!!

[speedster911]

I cannot " catch" the scratch with a finger nail, I had a friend use polishing compound and buffer but I can still see the scratch. perhaps a more aggressive compound will make a difference. I just don't want to screw up the window. I tend to wax, detail my cars by hand, don't feel comfortable using buffer.

[speedster911]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

2000 grit aluminum oxide followed by Optical grade cerium oxide, lots of water to keep the heat down.I use to polish glass I have a bunch if you want some shoot me a pm and I’ll send you some.

Sent you a PM, Thanks

[walt]

I've done this in the past with Cerium Oxide. It took a lot of work with a buffer, couldn't imagine doing this by hand. Home Depot or similar might rent these.

[stormin48061]

HF? Use to use it in chem class to remove etching from glassware. I doubt if you can get any as it is highly corrosive.