Scratched windscreen? Will it buff out?!!

[private9]

Hi All,

Stupid me let the wiper blades deteriorate and then didn't notice that one of them has actually fallen apart and allowed the metal part of the wiper arm to be in contact with the windscreen for the last month!

With all the rain we've been having, as you can imagine, this has left nice little scratches all across my windscreen where the wiper travels.

Is there any way I can polish this out myself? They're not deep scratches, you can only just feel them if you run your hand over it.

Thanks,
Justin.

[Fairlane]

Your insurance company give you a free windscreen every year?

If so use blunt object with appropriate force to "Fix" window and then call insurance company.

Otherwise i cant really help, but iam insterested in the answers (my insurance company does not do free windows), my windscreen is pretty knocked about (damn F3) and im interested if its possible to polish them clear again.

[private9]

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Your insurance company give you a free windscreen every year?

If so use blunt object with appropriate force to "Fix" window and then call insurance company.

Otherwise i cant really help, but iam insterested in the answers (my insurance company does not do free windows), my windscreen is pretty knocked about (damn F3) and im interested if its possible to polish them clear again.

Nup, no windscreen option for me!

I've had windscreens polished professionally before, but as this is very minor and not really that noticeable, I'm hoping it's something I can do myself.

I have a vague memory of using some sort of windscreen polish about 10 years ago, but cannot for the life of me remember what it was, or what I was using it for!

[RG]

Windscreen places will polish it out for about the $40 mark. I have been getting prices to get mine fixed as the same thing happened to me.

[DOC]

Do a search, it has been covered before, not an easy thing to do, in theory you need to lower the glass by the depth of the scratch to take it out.

[private9]

Originally Posted by RedXR347

Windscreen places will polish it out for about the $40 mark. I have been getting prices to get mine fixed as the same thing happened to me.

$40, that's not too bad at all. Last time I had it done a few years ago, it was around $100.

[private9]

Originally Posted by DOC

Do a search, it has been covered before, not an easy thing to do, in theory you need to lower the glass by the depth of the scratch to take it out.

Good lord! Well, I think you've made my mind up for me then!

[stiddy]

Originally Posted by DOC

Do a search, it has been covered before, not an easy thing to do, in theory you need to lower the glass by the depth of the scratch to take it out.

Wont that weaken the glass?
Or its not really enough to make much of a difference?
depends on the depth of the scratch I spose.

[DOC]

Originally Posted by stiddy

Wont that weaken the glass?
Or its not really enough to make much of a difference?
depends on the depth of the scratch I spose.

Don't know, this is an area i really leave to those who do their thing.

[mattp]

After hearing of mythical success stories with this, I tried for hours to buff a scratch out of my EA's windscreen before I sold it, tried jeweller's rouge, brasso, toothpaste and baking soda, basically all the suggested remedies i came across on the 'net, buffing it with a high-speed dremel.... No luck. In my experience, the best option is replace it I'm afraid.

[private9]

Yeah, it's all good. I'll see how bad it really is next time I was the car and then I'll either get it polished if possible, or just get a new windscreen.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Cant be done, had the same thing happen to me on a brand new XR6, one of the blades wasnt fitted properly, took it to heaps of glass joints and none of them would buff the windscreen as they reckon it will make it harder to see through..

New windscreen cost $250.

[Bushbasher]

I used to be a glazier by trade and can tell you the only way to polish glass properly is with a high speed cork wheel and a constant flow of water to stop any burn but it won't work on a windscreen the way you want because what LSterretory ghia was told is correct in that it'll make the windscreen harder to see through because of what DOC says, it reduces the thickness of the glass where the scratch is which then changes the light refraction properties of the glass creating a distorted view.

So it's like everyone says, a new screen is the only solution unfortunately.

Bushbasher

[private9]

Cool, no worries. Thanks for all the advice so far everybody.

I thought I'd had polishing done a few times before, but now that I think back, it may have actually been stone chip repairs.

[str02]

Not yet tried this company but
http://www.autoglass.com.au/index.htm
if you are inMelbourne

[private9]

Originally Posted by str02

Not yet tried this company but
http://www.autoglass.com.au/index.htm
if you are inMelbourne

Thanks mate, I'll give them a yell when I'm ready to get it done.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Fairlane

If so use blunt object with appropriate force to "Fix" window and then call insurance company.

Yep, and then be listed as a claims cheat because it will be very obvious youve done it.

[private9]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Yep, and then be listed as a claims cheat because it will be very obvious youve done it.

Exactly!