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YOUR RESEARCHPolishing wiper scratches off of windshield
Leading reported evidence
Replace non-factory windshields
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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0
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1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I replaced my non-factory windshields for my Volvos from Safelite for around $300.
Leading evidence: 'Replace non-factory windshields' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'same thing' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check with your insurer' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Of course I changed the wiper blades, but I want to try to polish out the scratches.
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It has been a few years, but I believe that I used an air powered angle grinder, instead of a drill.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
One more thing be sure to cover the car completely , you do not want to get this stuff on the car it's very abrasive, I just used a disposable plastic painters tarp with a hole cut out for the windshield and taped to the car ( all the way around the outside of the windshield ) with painters tape.
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Suggestion
Be sure to clean the windshield thoroughly before beginning as there is a lot of debris in the glass and it will create swirl marks if your polisher picks it up.
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Suggestion
I just finished polishing a windshield on a car i purchased, it was scratched so bad it looked like two to three inch haze all the way across the windshield from the ends of both wiper blades, there was no way I thought that it would come out, so I had already talked to the glass shop about replacing it and at the last minute decided to give a try at polishing it, knowing that the worst that could happen is that I would have to replace the windshield any way .
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Suggestion
I don't think a power drill would work, you really need to be able to hold the pad flat with the glass and a drill motor would make that very difficult , I originally thought of using a 3" inch pad but was told it would generate to much heat and possibly crack the windshield , even the 6" pad generates a lot of heat so you can't just hold it in one spot, you need to monitor the temp of the glass so you don't get it to hot in one spot , you will figure it out very fast once you get started .
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Suggestion
As far as the compound just water and cerium oxide will work but the polish seams to hold the cerium oxide better without flinging it off the pad, almost any glass polish will work but what worked the best for me was adding additional cerium oxide to the polish, you will need to use an actual glass polishing pad for whatever machine you choose.
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26 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261026T105141Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
My car arrived from the previous owner with fine scratches on the windshield throughout the sweep of both wipers. Clearly something gritty got beneath the wiper blades at some point. It�s not noticeable when driving during the day, but at night every headlight and streetlight diffracts like crazy.
Of course I changed the wiper blades, but I want to try to polish out the scratches. I see multiple kits out there but conflicting reviews. Does anyone have experience polishing scratches out of their windshield? Can you recommend a product or offer any tips?
Buffing out scratches on polycarbonate headlights or even paint, no problem, but glass? I haven't seen anything effective to throw money at. I'd recommend living with the scratch or replace the windshield. Glass is too hard of a substance to buff and it look clear like new again, IMHO.
It�s definitely possible. There are a number of products and videos out there on the topic. You have to use a cerium oxide abrasive with a felt pad to actually cut into the glass surface. Even then, it�s only usable for scratches that are shallow enough that you don�t catch a fingernail.
The classic formulation is a powder that you cut with water to make a paste, but there are products that already contain the particles in suspension. There is danger of heating up the glass enough to cause optical distortion, so you have to control the heat with water.
I�m curious if anyone can recommend powder vs liquids, size of pad, rotary vs DA polisher etc.
I agree with b3. Most likely no polish will work. You could take it to a detailer and ask them what they think. In the end, if the scratches are distracting and annoying, and create a safety hazard, get a new windshield.
When the dealer did PDR on my door they scratched the driver window glass. Of course I complained and they had a company buff out the scratch. Could not even tell a scratch was even there.
I've had scratches in my side and front, nothing seemed to work, but if you have some professional that can buff it out for a fraction of the new price, then more power to you. I'd rather put my money in a new glass especially if they is a aftermarket option. I replaced my non-factory windshields for my Volvos from Safelite for around $300. Using Volvo branded glass from would cost me $1000 just for the glass. Probably the same thing with Porsche OEM glass. Not sure if they're any other options for replacement.
If you decide to buff the scratches out, please post back to the forum good or bad. Thanks! Good luck!
@b3freak
Safelight quoted about $1,000 to replace the windshield. I shudder to think what an OEM replacement would cost. I�m going to try to polish it out for sure. Just trying to decide on the right mix of products.
Yes, CarPro sells CeriGlass and pads. Eastwood sells cerium oxide kit. Amazon too. Most detailing manufacturers sell a water spot removing glass polish like the Meguiars in the video above.
There are a lot o f choices. I was hoping to find a Rennlister with some experience using the different options or at least one of them.
I just finished polishing a windshield on a car i purchased, it was scratched so bad it looked like two to three inch haze all the way across the windshield from the ends of both wiper blades, there was no way I thought that it would come out, so I had already talked to the glass shop about replacing it and at the last minute decided to give a try at polishing it, knowing that the worst that could happen is that I would have to replace the windshield any way .
I already had a Griot's 6" random orbital polisher so I ordered some Griot's glass polish and 6" pads and gave it a try, turned out it was not aggressive enough, after talking to a glass shop I learned that the over the counter parts store glass polish does not have enough Cerium Oxide in it so I ordered some pure cerium oxide thru amazon and mixed it with the Griot's glass polish and gave it another try, this time it worked much better and I was able to remove 90% of the scratching, if I had taken a little more time I most likely could have removed all of it .
It's very time consuming , probably took me 4 hours to do the entire windshield and could easily spent another hour to get it near prefect. In the beginning I was using to much polish and keeping the pad to wet, after experimenting a bit I found it would work much better with less polish almost to the point of the glass almost looking dry, it defiantly takes a bit of experimenting to get the feel for what works .
For me it was more than worth it, I had never done this before and actually didn't think it could be done, I ended up with a windshield that is about 90% and learned a new skill, hope this helps.
That was my first thought just after I finished, at the time it didn't seem worth it because I really didn't think it would work, it was that bad.
One more thing be sure to cover the car completely , you do not want to get this stuff on the car it's very abrasive, I just used a disposable plastic painters tarp with a hole cut out for the windshield and taped to the car ( all the way around the outside of the windshield ) with painters tape.
When I get around to doing this, I will definitely take photos along the way. Although the scratches are faint enough I�m not sure how easy they will be to capture.
thanks for the tip on the painters tarp!
Be sure to clean the windshield thoroughly before beginning as there is a lot of debris in the glass and it will create swirl marks if your polisher picks it up.
I also clayed my windshield as well before beginning and was amazed at how much more dirt came out of the glass.
Good luck, sounds like your glass is much better than mine so it should come out very nice.
I took a clay mitt to the windshield this weekend and definitely removed a lot of bonded gunk.
My two big questions right now are which compound and which machine. I have a DA polisher but everything I�m seeing says that adds extra hours of polishing over a straight rotary. The kits come with a 3� pad and backing the late that works with a power drill, but it seems like that would be awkward and more suited to a single scratch. I need to polish almost my entire windshield, so a 5/6� pad seems more suitable. I may give in and buy a cheap corded rotary polisher to use for this job.
I don't think a power drill would work, you really need to be able to hold the pad flat with the glass and a drill motor would make that very difficult , I originally thought of using a 3" inch pad but was told it would generate to much heat and possibly crack the windshield , even the 6" pad generates a lot of heat so you can't just hold it in one spot, you need to monitor the temp of the glass so you don't get it to hot in one spot , you will figure it out very fast once you get started .
As far as the compound just water and cerium oxide will work but the polish seams to hold the cerium oxide better without flinging it off the pad, almost any glass polish will work but what worked the best for me was adding additional cerium oxide to the polish, you will need to use an actual glass polishing pad for whatever machine you choose.
Lots of the kits out there come with a 3" pad and a drill adapter and reviewers say it works. However, I need to cover a lot of area and want to use a bigger pad.
I'm going to order the following:
5" backing plate that can be used with my DA polisher or a drill/rotary
Carpro glass polishing pads
Griots glass polish
Cerium oxide powder
IR thermometer
I'm going to start with the least aggressive approach and see how the Griot's polish does with the DA polisher. If that doesn't do it, I'll add cerium oxide powder to the polish. If that's still not cutting it, I'll try the drill attachment. And if that's too difficult to handle, I'll go get a cheap rotary polisher from Amazon or Harbor Freight.
I'll take photos (and maybe some video, if my kids are willing to help) along the way.
I used the Griot's kit when I restored this. It had severe scratches from the wiper arm. The original windshield could not be replaced. It has been a few years, but I believe that I used an air powered angle grinder, instead of a drill. The grinder spins at a much higher speed. Be patient. It took me several hours to get rid of the deep scratches. I had a helper squirt water on the windshield as I was polishing, to avoid overheating it. I was happy with the results. Good luck.
