How to remove scratches on windshield?

75-ALIVE · 05-17-2007, 02:46:21 PM

I am about to replace a windshield on my 75 SC. The one I am going to put in has some scratches in it. Does anyone know how to get them out? I have been told that using some white jewler's rouge, or a product called Janvil Scratch remover works. Does anyone know if this stuff, or anything else actually will doctor up the scratches? I have been trying to find a dealer for the Janvil stuff in Canada, but have had no luck - any ideas? Thanks.

Lowend · 05-17-2007, 02:52:15 PM

My buddy's at the Porsche dealership use a clay bar

75-ALIVE · 05-17-2007, 03:00:31 PM

That must be what they call the Rouge?

Rick WI · 05-17-2007, 03:03:51 PM

It's almost impossible to get scratches out. If you can feel them with your fingernail it's best to just buy a new windshield. They are not that expensive.

75-ALIVE · 05-17-2007, 03:21:43 PM

Well, my thoughts on this is that I have the windshield already, and before I shell out more dough on a new one - I might as well try to get the scratches out before I throw in the towel - it may take just a bit of elbow grease.

Rick WI · 05-17-2007, 04:02:32 PM

Elbow grease won't do it, if they are truly scratches. Remember, they cut glass with diamonds, it's very hard.

Chevy 350 · 05-17-2007, 05:57:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick WI

It's almost impossible to get scratches out. If you can feel them with your fingernail it's best to just buy a new windshield. They are not that expensive.

I know a guy that comes into work that owns a glass buisness. He said b/c Im a college student hell put a new windshie;d in for like $225

71 Camaro · 05-18-2007, 01:32:52 AM

I wanted to try this on a car a while back. I posted that I was gonna try to buff scratches out and got about a dozen replies that it is not going to happen.

Yep, I agree, for the price of a new windshield, not too wise wasting time putting a crappy one in.

Javelin3o4 · 05-18-2007, 02:01:25 AM

I paid 180 for a new windshield for my 71 which included the built in antenna, and they also came out to my house and installed it.

Dave Imrie · 05-18-2007, 06:25:38 AM

I know a guy who did polish a windshield on his Monte Carlo SS and it left optical distortions. Just to let you know.

71 Camaro · 05-18-2007, 09:44:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Imrie

I know a guy who did polish a windshield on his Monte Carlo SS and it left optical distortions. Just to let you know.

Yep, that's the other reason people told me to not do it!

I must admit I was really surprised by all this, seemed like it was good idea, removing scratches. Glad I found out before I wasted a bunch of time on it.

Peter Wilson · 05-19-2007, 01:07:37 PM

I just recently finished a rotiserie restoration on a '67 ( Ford ) factory superstock car . and I needed a totally clear windshield with no tint or shade in order to be correct . This is a hard deal to find as all the windshields built for that application in the last 30 years had been shaded across the top . After 3 years searching , I located a company called Iowa Glass depot and they had 3 of the windshields I needed . they had been kicking around for a lot of years and the guy I was dealing with there said they were scratched up a bit and they would try to polish them to see which one turned out the best . The windshield I got from them was perfect and I could not locate any signs of scratching or distortion whatsoever . so the Big glass companies have some procedure or product that does work . maybe if you called them they might tell you how to do it . iam sure a deep scratch could not be polished out though , probably only light scratches

danbrennan · 05-19-2007, 02:39:59 PM

A cerium oxide slurry, and a felt buffing wheel, can be used to polish glass. Its like polishing a rock, which I guess fits since glass is mostly silicon dioxide. If I remember right, glass is about a 6 on the mohs scale. But like they said, if the scratch is deep enough to feel, that probably won't get it completely out.