Removing scratches from glass

It is possible to remove light scratches from windows or mirrors with a little bit of elbow grease.

The fingernail test

To test whether a scratch is likely to be removable use the fingernail test. Simply run the tip of your fingernail over the scratch. Does it catch on the scratch? If it doesn’t there is a good chance you can remove it.

Bear in mind that a deeper scratch that does catch on your nail could reduce the structural integrity of the glass, so replacing the glass may be the best thing to do in this case.

Use a polishing compound

The method described below for removing scratches from glass is intended only for light scratches and basically involves polishing the scratch out. You will need a polishing compound, so here are some easy to get hold of suggestions to choose from:

• Whitening toothpaste (a paste or cream, not a gel)
• Car wax polish
• T-cut or other cutting compound for car paint
• A paste made by mixing equal amounts of vinegar and dry mustard powder
• Jewelers’ rouge or iron oxide (available at hobby shops)

The process

You don’t want to make more scratches so first clean the glass thoroughly. Dry it with a soft lint-free cloth. Spread your chosen polishing compound onto the affected area.
Now comes the hard work! Take a soft cloth, and applying some pressure, start polishing in a circular motion. This will take a while, but when you think you’ve done enough clean the glass down again and see if the scratch has improved. If not, it’s back to polishing until the scratch is gone, or at least much less visible.

You could also use a buffing machine or drill with a polishing attachment, but be careful not to overdo it as it may leave you with distortion or weakened glass.

Keep at it and you will hopefully end up with glass you can be proud of again.

Tips4 preventing scratches on glass

Here are some tips to help you stop scratches occurring on glass in the first place:

• Tempered glass is particularly prone to scratches, so extra care is needed when cleaning
• If your glass is in an area where it is prone to scratches fit some glass protection film
• Special types of glass protection film are available if you are having building work or plastering undertaken, as this can produce the type of dust and debris that scratch glass
• When cleaning windows outside hose them down first to remove dirt and debris
• Don’t wear a ring while cleaning glass – diamonds can easily cause a scratch
• Use a soft lint-free cloth – newspaper and rough towels can scratch, particularly when used too vigorously

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