Door glass fix

georgie · 07-28-2003, 08:05 PM

Does anyone know if it is possible to buff out scratches in window glass? With what media/polish?

I had a dent/ding guy work on getting out a ding in my passenger door and in doing so unfortunately he scratched quite much the outside surface of the passenger door glass. Ugh.

I'm in the USA, and I'm wondering if it's not possible to buff out, where is the best source (hopefully least expensive as well) for obtaining factory window glass?

Thanks!

Argo · 07-28-2003, 08:53 PM

I've heard claims for stuff to polish out rock haze in windshields but I've never heard of anyone saying it actually worked well. Your best bet may be a recycler like parts heaven. www.partsheaven.com Depending on the year of your car the $ might not be too bad. I'd also have a conversation with the ding wizard about a $ contribution to the replacement, seeing as how he caused it.

Argo
88 Targa

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

I did it. It was a last ditch effort to save some cash when I had the entire car torn apart. I don't know what I was thinking (yea, I do, I was dumping serious cash every ten minutes), but, it actually turned out well. I used a dremell (spelling?) with a white polishing wheel (standard stuff with the dremil kit) and some polishing compound. Lots of water. The scratch was pretty deep and went across the passenger side "wing", the chrome, the window and across the chrome of the window frame. I don't know what the heck caused it (previous owner). I got polishing compound everywhere, but it all cleaned up. You can only notice if the car is very clean and in the right light. Even then it just looks a little duller. Almost just like a streak or smudge. Only I notice it.

Porsche_monkey · 07-29-2003, 05:38 AM

Dremel tool + felt tip + toothpaste + time/patience

plain fan · 07-29-2003, 06:55 AM

I've considered doing this as well, but to my windsheild. The previous owner failed to replace the windshield wipers in a timely manner so I've got track marks across the entire windshield.

georgie · 07-29-2003, 11:27 AM

Does this polishing method actually work, or is it really just changing the finish on the glass. I envision being able to see a really "slick" area on the glass, unless of course you did the whole piece of glass which would be a monumental effort.

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

It's polishing, so in a way you are correct with the "slick" area. But, it sounds like you are considering buying a replacement window. If that's the case, there's no loss in trying to polish out the scratch first. If you don't like the results then go to plan B. My two cents.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I tried the "kit" from Eastwood on a windshield. It did virtually nothing. I believe they said if you could catch the scratch with a finger nail then it was too deep.

The kit consisted of a white buffer pad that attached to a polisher or grinder. It also came with some type of white powder which had a pretty stern toxicity warning if inhaled.

I think they refunded my money. I'd giove the less expensive options listed above a shot...or hit the classifieds on this site.