Are you distracted by the sight of scratches on your windshield? If you want to remove those annoying light scratches, then you’re in the right place!
Scratched windshields are very unpleasant to have. Those scrapes can be annoying to look at, and they can distract you while you are driving.
To avoid any potential danger or problem, you need to take care of these as soon as you notice them.
In order for you to be able to address the scratches properly, you will first need to identify their nature—is it a light scratch or a deep one?
To determine whether it is a light scratch or a deep one, you need to touch it and feel the scratched area. You will need to run your fingers through it.
Can you feel something that catches your touch?
If your answer is no, then consider yourself lucky!
The scratch is a light one, and you can remove it using DIY kits that are available on the market.
But if it is a deep one, it could be a problem. You cannot get rid of deep scratches by yourself. You are going to have to bring it to a specialist for repair and to avoid any more problems.
In this article, we will show you the best way to deal with light scratches. We will also give you DIY tips on how to remove them with care.
Once you are able to confirm that it is a light one, the first thing that you need to do is to get the materials to remove it.
Get the most appropriate and high-quality supplies to avoid worsening the problem.
For example, it cannot be just any cloth. Some fabrics may have fibers or elements that can worsen the scratch or add another one.
Hence, it is important to check the type and quality of the materials.
The necessary materials include:
Microfiber cloth. Microfiber cloths can be of any size and should be lint-free.
Their non-abrasive texture and water-absorbent quality make them suitable for this purpose.
You will need this material to dry the area after you wipe it with a damp cloth. You can also use it to apply and clean the mixtures that you put to fix the scratches.
Rubbing compound. Rubbing compounds are chemicals used to deal with paint scratches.
While it may appear unsuitable for your windshield, many specialists actually use it.
You do not need to worry about its composition because it is safe. Your windshield is actually stronger and harder to scratch than your car’s coat.
Polishing wheel. You can use this material to smooth surfaces.
You can also use this to apply the rubbing compound to remove the light scratches.
Buffing pads. It is often used along with the polishing wheel. You can also use it to apply the rubbing compound to smooth the surface.
It is important that you buy the one that matches the polishing wheel.
Fortunately, they are sometimes sold in sets. We recommend that you get the set for your convenience.
There are many types of buffing pads that are available on the market. You need to choose one that is suitable for glass surfaces.
You may also want to consider the size of the damaged area.
Damp cloth. You will need this to clean the area and remove dirt if you don’t want to use glass cleaners.
You can also use it to wipe and clean excess solutions after repairing the cracks and scratches.
It can be any cloth with small and soft fibers to prevent any additional scratches.
ALTERNATIVES FOR RUBBING COMPOUND:
Cerium oxide. You might be wondering, “Does cerium oxide work?” Yes!
This is effective for removing scratches and other blemishes on windshields.
It has chemical properties that enable it to seal and remove minor blemishes.
To use this, you will need to mix it with the right amount of water to make a paste.
If you are going to polish and fix small, faint scratches, then add more water. If, however, you are dealing with slightly deep ones, then reduce the amount of water.
Keep in mind that more water in the mixture would mean less strength.
Baking soda. Thisis another good alternative to rubbing compounds.
It is not as strong and aggressive as the rubbing compound and the cerium oxide.
This is why removing scratches using baking soda sometimes takes longer than if you use cerium oxide.
You will also need to do it again for the next couple of days.
To use it, you will need to mix it with water. Make sure that the ratio of your baking soda and water is 1:1.
Then, apply it using a microfiber cloth to the damaged area.
Clear nail polish. Some people ask, what about clear nail polish? Will it work?
The good news is yes, but only if you’re dealing with light scratches.
If you choose this as your alternative, you have to make sure that it’s made of acrylic.
Nail polish has properties that can seal light scratches, too. Hence, you can also use it to remove the faint minor ones.
Put the clear nail polish directly on the crack and then wait for it to dry. You may want to wipe the excess polish off the scratch.
Make sure to use a microfiber cloth to avoid adding scratches to the area.
TIP # 2: CLEAN THE AFFECTED AREA.
Before you do anything to your windshield, you will need to clean the area first.
To do this, you will need to use a glass cleaner.
Glass cleaners can remove the dirt in the damaged area without worsening the problem.
You can even use it to clean your entire windshield.
You can pick it up along with the windshield scratch remover kit from your favorite auto parts store.
Once you already have it, lift the wiper blades and clean the area. You can either put it on a cloth first or spray it on the windshield.
The application process will depend on the instructions provided on the label.
TIP # 3: GET A SCRATCH REPAIR KIT.
In some cases, you may need to apply a scratch remover to fix the blemish.
This is especially true if the scratch has a small depth but is not severe enough to be considered a deep one.
The amount of the product that you will need to apply will depend on the depth of the scratch.
While it definitely works on small light scratches, you are going to have to double your effort if you wish to use it for deeper scratches. This is why we recommend that you bring your car to a specialist if the scratch on your windshield is very deep.
Auto repair specialists recommend using the following windshield scratch repair kits.
These two also have the most positive reviews on Amazon.
For more information about these products, please follow the provided Amazon links.
CARTREND Windshield Repair Kit.
Product Description: This DIY kit can remove scratches and fix small chips or cracks in as little as 20 minutes. It is easy to apply and is okay to use for all types of laminated windshields.
It can fix chips, bulls-eye, star-shaped, half-moon crescents, and cracks that are below 8 inches in length.
Product Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (900 reviews)
KMOOL Windshield Repair Kit.
Product Description: This DIY kit is specifically designed for scratches and small cracks in laminated automotive glass windshields.
It can fix light scratches in as little as 20 to 30 minutes. You can only use it on light scratches, bulls-eye, half-moon cracks, spider webs, and star damage.
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (730 reviews)
TIP #4: APPLY THE SOLUTION IN CIRCULAR MOTION.
Once you have purchased the kit, get a clean cloth or buffing pad. Then, put the solution on top of it.
Apply it to your windshield in circular motions. By using circular motions, you will be able to apply the solution to the entire damaged area evenly.
Repeat the process until you no longer see the light scratches.
TIP #5: REPLACE DAMAGED WIPERS TO AVOID SCRATCHES ON YOUR WINDSHIELD.
To reduce the risk of getting scratches on your windshield, you will need to check on your wipers once in a while.
A damaged wiper can cause scratches and other blemishes on your windshield.
Car owners should replace damaged windshield wipers to prevent more scratches.
You should do this as soon as you notice the problem. By doing this, you will be able to reduce the possibility of having new marks and cracks on your windshield.
TIP # 6: FIX DEEP SCRATCHES.
Specialists are the only ones who should handle deep scratches.
If you think you can handle it using a windshield repair kit, then check first if it is possible.
If the “deep” scratch only has a shallow depth, then check if your repair kit would be able to solve it.
Most repair kits state the extent of the length and depth of the cracks that they can fix. If the scratch on your windshield is included in the list of blemishes that your kit can fix, then proceed.
Most specialists suggest that if your nail can fit in between the scratches, then you really should let an expert handle it.
TIP # 7: DEFECTIVE ICE SCRAPERS.
Car owners need to make sure that their cleaning materials are in good condition.
By doing this, they will be able to reduce the risk of getting their car glasses scratched or damaged.
Avoid using any defective ice scrapers that can damage your windshield or side windows.
Your best option is to use cleaning materials that are safe and will not damage your car.
Safe cleaning materials mean fewer chances of getting your car scratched. This would mean no scratches to worry about or remove.
TIP #8: PROTECT YOUR WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS.
There are several things that you can do to protect your car’s windows and windshield. This includes driving carefully.
You also need to avoid any tree branches or any dangling objects that could damage your car.
If possible, always park your car in your garage and make sure that it is far from direct sunlight when not in use.
You should also avoid cleaning materials with strong abrasive properties. In addition to that, you should also deal with cracks and scratches as soon as possible.
These are some of the practices that you can do to avoid damaging your windshields.
TIP # 9 REGULARLY CLEAN AND CHECK YOUR WINDSHIELDS.
Most owners clean and check their cars before they use them. Some clean it every day, while there are others who do it once every couple of days.
You can choose the schedule and frequency of the cleaning. What’s important is that you do it thoroughly.
Use safe, non-abrasive cleaning materials. Carefully clean the glass parts and regularly visit your auto-repair specialist for a more complete check-up.
Scratches on your windshield can put you at risk of an accident, primarily because they can distract you from driving.
This is why it is important to address the damage as soon as you notice it.
Light scratches can be fixed using materials that are available on the market. There are even DIY kits that you can use to fix it.
But if you’re dealing with deep scratches, you should seek professional help from auto shops to fix your windshield.
Remove Scratches From Car Windshield Summary
Removing scratches from car windshields is easy if you use the tips we went over. The key is to replace anything that caused the scratches in the first place. If your wipers are the source then replace them. Get a new ice scraper if it seems to be the source.
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