I had some overspray on my windshield and used a razor blade scraper to take it off (I used plenty of windex to keep it lubricated) and in the process I put a couple of very tiny surface scratches on the glass. They're not deep and I can't feel them if I run my fingernail over them so they're just very light surface scratches.

What's the best way to take them out? I don't have an orbital polisher or anything like that and can't afford to buy one so hopefully I can find something I can do by hand.

Like I mentioned, they aren't bad and if I hadn't inspected the glass closely after I finished getting the overspray off I probably wouldn't have seen them so worst case scenario I'm sure I can live with it but if there's a way to take them out I'd like to try.

::edit:: I just remembered that I do have a dremel tool and a cordless drill so maybe one of those foam polishing ***** with some kind of glass polishing compound would work??

 

You could try a glass polish.

To be honest, if it were me (and I'm pretty OCD), I would probably try claybaring the glass first, and then putting a good coat of either synthetic wax (like Prima Epic or similar) or a repellent like Aquapel on once every 3 months or so. The clay should clean any dirt out of the scratches, and wax or repellent will fill them in and make them harder to see.

But if you want a long-term fix, polishing would be the answer (with an orbital).

 

thanks. Can you recommend a glass polish? I went by pep boys today and they didn't have any glass polish but I had read elsewhere on the internet that rubbing compound might work so I bought a $3 jar of turtle wax rubbing compound and figured I'd give it a try. It didn't work by hand but I did find out that it does a great job of removing overspray and I was able to get all of the overspray off. The razor blade hadn't been able to remove it all.

So, the overspray is all gone but I still have those two tiny scratches. I don't have an orbital polisher but it dawned on me that I can get a polishing attachment for my drill at home depot so if I can find some glass polish and get the polishing attachment I might be able to get rid of the scratches too.

Any suggestions on which polish to use?

 

Griot's makes one...they have a regular glass polish and a "fine" glass polish.

 

http://www.eastwood.com/pro-glass-polishing-kit.html

"works with your drill"

 

My advice on this is that if you can get your fingernail in it then don't bother as you will never get it out. I have scratches on my back glass from an ice scraper that I tried to get out using the glass polish drill method and it is not easy and you take a big chance of making it worse. Glass polishing is not easy...

 

I can't even feel it with my fingernail.

 

Might be some hope them. Be careful to follow the directions closely.

 

Glass polishes, especially those from Griots are for removing water spots, not physical gouges in the glass. Glass is VERY hard. You can't polish out physical scratches with a foam pad. As Capt BJ said, the Eastwood Glass Polish is really the only product that might help, but chances are, you will make it worse as I've seen what that drill and slurry will do...permanent circular polishing rings in the glass. One of my customer had this happen to them recently from a body shop and the only acceptable solution was a complete window replacement.

Good luck

Richard

 

Thanks for all the replies. The scratches are so small and unnoticeable that I'm just gonna live with it. Sounds like trying to remove them is going to be a losing battle.

The bigger problem is the damn tree sap that gets on my car and windshield every night. It's not noticeable on the car but it's really annoying on the windshield. And I can't park anywhere else because I live in a condo with assigned parking.

I've found that if I clean it every morning with a glass cleaner like invisible glass it comes right off but if I leave it on for a few days it seems to bake on there and I need to either scrape it off with a razor, which is what caused the scratches, or a little rubbing compound on a microfiber rag will also take it off.

My neighbors must think I have OCD because ever since I had to use the razor and rubbing compound to clean the sap, every morning when I go out to my car I clean it with glass cleaner.

btw, as an aside, the stock windshield wipers really suck. Absolutely horrible. I know I get free replacements as part of the 3/36 free maintenance but I'm thinking of putting some real ones on there and telling the dealer to not put the Mini ones on there.

 

I use Steel Wool (#000 or #0000) on my windshield to clean the outside glass. Rain-X or anything like it will stop things from sticking to your glass. I follow it up with Prima Clarity and it looks great. I am also on my second windshield since the stock 05 one got all pitted in 3 + years. I did not get another stock one I got a Pilkington windshield with the rainsensor installed for $300.00.

As for good wipers I only use PIAA Super Silicone Wiper Blades. (refills are only $9)
http://www.tirerack.com/wipers/detai...05&autoModClar=


Not a fan of the flat wiperblades on a MIN as the do not contour to the passenger side of our windshields well. (Be-iotch ICONS or Rain-X blades or PIAA SI-Tech Silicone Flat Wiper Blade )