How to Remove Scratches from a Windshield

Windshields are an essential part of your car’s safety mechanism and do a lot more than just acting as shields that protect you from the wind or flying debris. While driving, it is common for small stones or pieces of gravel to fly into the windshield of your car and leave scratches on them. These scratches, if not too deep, can be removed easily. But if the windshield is damaged due to a gouge, a crack or a chip, then a professional might have to take a look and decide whether it requires auto glass repairs, or in case of cracks, it may have to be replaced altogether.

If you find a scratch on your windshield, you can do the following to fix it. Firstly, run your finger over the scratch vertically to see how deep it is. If your nail catches in the scratch, this means that the scratch may be too deep to fix by yourself and may require professional care or replacement. If the scratch is not shallow, it may continue to grow until it gets worse and you may even end up with a cracked windshield. You might have to ask an expert to address this problem.

Secondly, wash the windshield using a glass cleaner to remove all the dirt and debris. This can be done using a microfibre cloth and regular window cleaners, or specialty glass cleaning products. Dry the windshield after this. Avoid using dish soap as it can abrade the windshield. An all-purpose cleaner is a safer bet.

In case there is any grime on the windshield, scrape it off gently with a plastic razor. Avoid metal razors to prevent further scratches. You can then apply painters’ tape onto the edge of the scratches to prevent the polish from splattering. You will have to purchase a glass repair kit with cerium oxide polish in it, which contains a polishing compound and a buffing pad.

Remember to put on rubber gloves, a dust mask and goggles before using the powder because cerium oxide powder is a harsh irritant that can even irritate the lungs. You need to be extremely careful while handling the buffing pad. Follow the instructions on the kit, and mix the cerium oxide powder with the right amount of warm water to form a paste, as per requirements.

Attach the buffing pad onto an electric drill, and dip into onto the paste. You can apply the paste directly to the scratched area, turn on the drill and then run the edge of the pad along the scratch a few times. Wipe away the excess paste with a microfibre cloth to clean the now shiny surface of the windshield.