Repairing Windscreen Scratches

[LAW75]

I have 7 deep (finger nail catches when going across scratches) scratches on the inside of my windshield (assume it occurred when restored and some unthoughtful mechanic places tools on the inside of the window when laying on a bench). I searched Youtube and saw some possible fixes with a grinding (various grits) fix. Not sure it would work (distort glass view). Thought of trying the epoxy fix intended for applying to outside scratches and cracks. Being inside, the liquid would run down the inside. Any tips, thoughts or prayers? short of purchase and replace?? Thanks

 

[Healey Nut]

Minor scratches can be polished out with the right compounds .
I would take it to a windshield shop and ask them can they do it ?

 

[John Turney]

I tried polishing wiper marks off my windshield, but the distortion was noticeable. Polishing might work if not right in front of you.

 

[donbmw]

I wouldn’t attempt to polish out a glass window or windshield. I make and repair stained glass windows and have made some replacement bevel. Even though the bevel is only a 1/2 inch wide It’s not a easy process. Even all the plastic aircraft windows and the few windshields I have done are a tedious proces.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

The 'rule of thumb (finger?)' is if you can feel the scratch with your fingernail it can't be polished out. My BN2's windshield had the common wiper 'refinishing' and I was able to get it to tolerable with a kit same/similar as this (note reviews). I had the windshield off the car, which helps a lot.

Eastwood Glass Polishing Kit for Deep Scratches

Avoid costly windshield replacementby removing even deep scratches

www.eastwood.com

 

[Jack T]

I have 7 deep (finger nail catches when going across scratches) scratches on the inside of my windshield (assume it occurred when restored and some unthoughtful mechanic places tools on the inside of the window when laying on a bench). I searched Youtube and saw some possible fixes with a grinding (various grits) fix. Not sure it would work (distort glass view). Thought of trying the epoxy fix intended for applying to outside scratches and cracks. Being inside, the liquid would run down the inside. Any tips, thoughts or prayers? short of purchase and replace?? ThanksView attachment 75660

If you are going to try to polish the scratches out, definitely take the windshield off the car. Doubtful scratches that deep are going to go away, but the process is so messy I can't imagine doing it while on the car especially on the interior. My experience is similar to Bob's; wiper tracks can be made less noticeable but not completely eliminated. A new windscreen may be in your future.

 

[bob hughes]

I would bite the bullet and get it replaced.
By the way, I do believe that you can pay extra and get a new one with a built in windscreen heating system that will demist you screen in seconds, if you suffer from that problem in the cold season.



Bob

 

[LAW75]

I'm going to try one more thing before taking Bobs sage advice. The thing I am going to try is use the window/crack epoxy kit. First clean out the scratches thoroughly with a tooth brush and tooth paste. Clean off the residue. Apply the epoxy stuff, which has an adhesive tape and apply the tape. Let it cure. Scrape off any excess with a straight edge razor blade. See if the epoxy filled the scratches sufficient to look almost new. If this fails, I am springing for the big bucks. Thanks for the input.

 

[bob hughes]

Let us know how you get on

Bob

 

[59diamond]

I had a guy with a diamond grinder grind out stuff like that from a windshield of mine about six years ago.

 

[LAW75]

So...I performed the task mentioned above. The results were the scratches got "better". If you are sitting in the car, with the sun shining on the window AND, know where you need to look, you can barely catch the scratches and slighter view distortion where the epoxy "cured". Bottom line, it is second best solution to replacement.