Windscreen Scratch Removal – Our how to guide

Windscreens – just like any other part of your car – are prone to wear and tear, over time. Windscreen scratches are more than just unsightly, a compromised windscreen can affect visibility and even cause accidents. A scratched windscreen can be caused by a number of different everyday occurrences. Stone chips and other loose road debris can often be responsible for a scratched windscreen. But, the risks don’t end there. Here at Autoglass®, we regularly encounter windscreen scratches caused as a result of ice scraper misuse. Before we dive into our guide to windscreen scratch removal, take a look at our guide for correctly defrosting your windscreen. With our help, keeping your windscreen at peak performance should be a breeze.

That said, unintentional windscreen damage can happen to the best of us. Thankfully, with the proper tools, most cases of windscreen scratch removal can be handled at home. We’ve pulled together a handy guide to help you with any forays into home windscreen scratch removal.

Windscreen Scratch Removal

First things first, you need to discern if the windscreen scratch is suitable for home repair. It is impossible to deal with a deep scratch without professional-grade equipment. How deep is a deep scratch? I hear you ask. Well, we would recommend that you differ to the experts if the scratch is is any deeper than 50 microns. A good way to check the suitability of your windscreen for self repair is the fingernail test. Run your finger across the affected area. If the scratch catches your fingernail, the scratch will require professional help to fix. If your nail can still run smoothly over the windscreen scratch, you should be well equipped to tend to it yourself.

The first item on your itinerary should be to get your hands on polish specifically formulated for use on car glass. The appropriateness of the polish is crucial as using standard (non auto-specific) polish can damage or discolour your windscreen. Once you’ve got the correct polish, be sure to read the instructions carefully, as some brands of windscreen polish will require dilution before being applied to glass.

Next, grab a micro fibre cloth. Be careful not to use anything too coarse as this may serve to exacerbate the issue. Now that you have a soft micro fibre cloth and some polish, apply the polish to the scratched area. Next, use the cloth to slowly and evenly work the polish solution deep into the scratch. At this stage, take your time and tread carefully, patience and care are key to proper polish application. Once the polish has been thoroughly applied, wipe the area clean with another micro fibre cloth. With any luck, you should notice immediate results.

In the case of some deeper scratches, you will likely need a motorised buffing or polishing tool. If this is the case, keep in mind that a motorized hand drill with a rubber polishing wheel attachment should do the trick. Polishing wheel attachments are available at many motor factors and hardware shops, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to get your hands on one.

Ultimately, the success of this method is dependent on the severity of your scratched windscreen. If the scratch is still visible following this process, you most likely require a windshield replacement. Either way, removing scratches from your windscreen with polish is rarely a permanent solution. As previously mentioned, simple wear and tear is often the root of windscreen damage and there is very little one can do to prevent it. If you have any doubts regarding the seriousness of you windscreen scratch, it’s best to contact the experts at Autoglass®.

And there you have it, our guide to home windscreen scratch repair. Simple as it may seem, the windscreen is a profoundly sensitive component of your car. Accordingly, windshield repair should never be taken lightly or left on the back burner – if you have an issue now, it only stands to get worse.

We hope you found this guide illuminating and be sure to check back with the Autoglass® Blog soon for more guides, hints and explainers like this one. Safe travels!