Windshield Scratch Removal

[dnkies]

Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone out there offers glass scratch removal as part of their WSR business. Yesterday, I had a customer ask me to remove the scratches on her windshield that were caused from her windshield wipers being worn out. I have looked at scratch removal kits and they seem pretty pricey....just wondering if anyone out there has had any demand for the scratch removal service and where would be a good place to get the proper tools.

Thanks

[GLASSTIME]

dnkies,

Hello, I'm excited you are interested in Glass Scratch Removal!!! Although Glass Scratch Removal isn't talked about that much it truly is a sought out or thought of service. What I mean is I know of many times I have been in peoples homes or at the local service station and someone is complaining of that "Wiper Sweep" in the glass that is so annoying!!!!


Glass Scratch Removal is a very tedious, very artistically process. Many scratches can be removed from all sorts of Glass. I actually offer this service as a bonus to my customers. I have now removed scratches from Laminate, Tempered, Plate and Mirrors! Your results on each type will vary an as always you MUST "UNDER PROMISE & OVER DELIVER" to your client's from the get go. Use professional grade products and equipment and take your time.


We use the Delta Kits Felt Wheel which can be found via there website just by clicking the Delta Logo at the top left corner of this page. Also there you will find the coumpound. This is a powdered base material in which you just add the correct amount in a seperate cup with warm water. Wet the felt wheel as well.

NOTE: Scratches are all the same regardless of the material they are on... Therefore you must treat all scratches with a simple rule...'If your fingernail drops down into the scratch, chances of completely removing is 1-100. Unitl a depth gauge is developed for scratch measurements this is the best we have for now!!!
Also, say your fingernail does drop into it you will over time gain the know how to be able to determine what or how much improvement you can or may be able to do with that particular scratch!


I wish you the best of luck! Below I have included a link to a thread I started back last year on a HHR Chevrolet Drivers Window. There was a vertical scratch and this type of glass as we all know is "Tempered" they say tempered glass is harder as far as thickness than that of Laminate which is softer. So scratch removal on tempered glass isn't impossible as I have proved but it is tougher!


viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5040&p=37771&hilit= ... val#p37771

[Frank EU]

I have been involved in this for more than ten years. The demand is certainly there, but again: it needs sales work, you need to be able and willing to do sales.

The ''finger nail'' way of measuring is very out dated. But the system comes for free.
Things can be done much more acurate and a proper measurement will save you time, it also allows you to quote the right price for the job.
We have been looking for ways to measure the depth and we came up, some five years ago, with a professional depth gauge.
Just contact IPS Glass, Dave (owner) will help you further. IPS is out of Stuart FL.

You may email or PM me for more information since I don't want to push any product or system here.

[screenman]

I was going to chime in about the measuring device we had one 15 years ago, trouble it it had a very sharp tip that sometimes scratched the glass whilst measuring. It did give us more of a professional look and saved a lot of time on work that would not have come out well. I used to do a lot of television set's and shop windows, I totally agree with Frank that it requires sales ability and the real money is certainly not on car windshields.

[DryStar]

Scratch removal in glass can be a lucrative business. It can be time and labor consuming though. To make money at it you'll need to target commercial. Forget about targeting autoglass...it's not worth it, unless you train and hire somebody to work minimun wage. To sell this to comercial accounts, you better know what your doing...high liabilty insurance coverage is often required.

[Dr.Chipster]

Will the scratch removal systems remove the scratches on a driver side window due to rolling the windows down?

[Frank EU]

In many cases they will. But it needs more time. Not the best type of jobs one can do. I would pass on that.

[GLASSTIME]

Will the scratch removal systems remove the scratches on a driver side window due to rolling the windows down?

In many cases they will. But it needs more time. Not the best type of jobs one can do. I would pass on that.

FrankEU, I appreciate your opinion but on this i will have to disagree. Dr. Chipster If you will go click on the link you will clearly see that I removed the scratches from the drivers window of a vehicle. Keep in mind once again these windows are tempered unlike windshield which are laminate. Basically laminate glass proves to be much softer than that of tempered, so the toughness of the job increases on top of other variables such as depth, product, tool, and wether the window remains in the vehicle .

I haven't went out and purchased a thousand dollar scratch removal tool and kit. Not to say they don't do a good job. I've seen plenty of video demonstrations on such tools and they are some incrediable devices out there. I've used Delta's felt wheel and compound for all of my scratch removal jobs...It works great! I've removed scratches from vehicles, glass table tops, residential windows, glass range fronts and more. Check the pictures ot then go over to Deltas site and educate yourself on the product I've mentioned.

[Frank EU]

Chad,
Forgive me asking the following:
How much time was involved and what did you charge?
Would you do it again next time? Are you happy with the amount you can charge for a lousy job like that?

[screenman]

Spend the time available earning the most you can for the time you have, not doing something that takes longer and is less profitable. I would rather spend my time doing 4 repairs than 1 scratch removal.

But then again I like a simple quiet non messy life.