Can these scratches be polished out by an amateur?

[gbackus]

I had a filmy residue on my windshield and someone recomended to me I use #0000 steel wool to clean it off. The residue came off, which happened to be silicone froma dressing I was using, but unfortunately I think I was a bit too vigourous when using the steel wool and now I have a bunch of tiny scratches in my front windshield.

images/scratches.jpg

Can these be polished out with a drill, cerium oxide, and a 2" felt bob? Here are the specs: 2003 ford mustang, scratches can NOT be felt with fingernail, and can only be seen in direct sunlight. So, anyone think I can do it, or do I need to get the windshield replaced? If I need it replaced, can I get the factory etching done to to the replacement?

One more note, someone told me to try a raazorblade, but after my experience with the steel wool, I'm a bit leery, any of you profesionals recomend it?

Thanks.

Removed pic and added link

[screenman]

Get a new screen polishing large areas like this will only lead to distortion do not mess with a screen again get an expert in, we will only save you money in the long run as you have just found out. yes you wil be able to get it re-etched.

[glassdoctor]

There's only one way to find out if it can be polished...

I would guess that it can be. Search for a pro in your area, or maybe try a cheap DIY kit/product.

Janvil "hand rub" glass polish is a good thing to try. If it works, you can use it with a buff pad to make it easier.

I have never used the typical felt bob/ cerium powder.

[Lee]

This has been bouncing around glass forums for a while. Glass polishing should be called glass grinding because to get rid of the scratch you have to remove surrounding glass to the lowest level of the scratch. This causes distortion in the glass. You can not polish a windshield and have it optically correct as it came from the factory. On second thought you might take the w/shield to the people that make giant telescope lenses and have them do it for you. For the money you would spend there you could get 5 new cars. Get a new w/s.

[glassdoctor]

If you can't call it polishing, then you need to eliminate the word polishing from the English language. ALL "polishing" is the same by it's very definition. If you don't believe polishing glass is a good idea for whatever reason, then make that point.

Anyone who has done any scratch removal/polishing would agree that it's not easy.. at best. I would not recomend it to anyone I like. It's very limited in what can be done and it's a pain in the butt when it does work. I don't like doing any glass polishing and only do it when I "have to".

But I have to admit there are cases where "polishing" auto glass does work and works well. Sometimes it's a light wiper mark and sometimes there are scuffs from using the wrong things to scrape ice off the windows, etc.

BTW, I have polished out scratches myself where I could find no optical distortion. And I have good eyesight too... Obviously not all scratches can/should be done without ill effects.