Windshield Small Scratch Removal

[Bois]

I had a customer ask me if I could remove tiny scratches within the wiper blade area of his windshield. He said it looked like the previous owner used the wipers to remove dust/dirt without using water. The scratches were only visible when looking into the sun or from oncoming headlights at night. They were not really visible otherwise. It was like looking at an old 33 1/3 rpm vinyl record. The scratches could not be felt to the touch. I tested a small area (2”) using a felt polishing pad in my dremel with a dab of cerium oxide. After a few seconds the scratches disappeared. Feeling confident, I took the job knowing that a large area would be time consuming but the scratches were light.

I used DeltaKits’ felt buffing pad and cerium oxide, and a buffing machine I purchased from Dvelup for headlight restoration – high speed. To my surprise, the scratch marks did not disappear as quickly as I thought (based on the small area test). I spent almost 2 hours and, although the marks appeared lighter, they did not totally disappear. The customer was somewhat pleased because it was better but a week later he asked if I could redo a small area at the top of the shield. Thirty minutes more with no better results.

I don’t do many scratch removal jobs but have had success removing scratches that were much deeper where they could be felt, yet a finger nail didn’t catch. I’ve also removed rub marks from ice scrapers and chunks of ice.

I’m wondering if my technique is all wrong. I bought my original glass scratch equipment and compounds from Janvil. Their cutting pads were flat with tiny holes and they showed them being used flat on the glass surface. While researching scratch removal on this forum, I read something about trimming the felt pad and saw a video where the pad was held at an angle instead of being flat on the surface.

Any ideas or thoughts on why I had a problem with the customer’s windshield or on technique?

Dale...

[Brent Deines]

For a single scratch from a wiper, usually 1/16" to 1/4" wide and either partial or full arc of the wiper, I can probably give you a few pointers that will help you get it out. Those are typically caused by something caught under the blade or if the rubber has slipped off the blade exposing the aluminum frame. It's a fair amount of time and effort to polish them out but they can typically be made to look pretty good with the right technique.

However what you are describing is different and the polishing pad you purchased from Delta Kits is not going to produce the desired results. I've tried dozens of different techniques, tools and polishes, but not had much luck with polishing out large areas like the entire wiper sweep where there are dozens if not hundreds of scratches. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say on the topic.

[candyman]

I did the same as you. It only works if the scratches are faint and small. I found a sytem from another vendor that does work, but again the scratches cant be deep and you need a micron guage to determine if it can be done prior to staring the job. After about 3 jobs and sevral man hours I determined its not worth the money or time . The owners want something for nothing. Most that were quoted a price of $60 -$75 with as much as three hours labor stated they would have rather replcaced the glass. I covered the vehicles and still had a mess from the products. I had invested $$$ and earned $45. The others I didnt charge. Unless you are going to do glass full time I dont recommend it. Some of the kits that do work cost $1K to 5K and require training with a professional, so you wont distort the glass. Stick to WSR or HLR. Thats the best advice I can offer based on my experience. Also it can be back breaking unless you are young.

[Bois]

Brent & Candyman,

Appreciate your responses. I guess sometimes the jobs that seem easy aren't.

Happy Holidays.

Dale...

[GlassStarz]

I run my thumbnail across the scratch if you feel a ridge its too big to buff out