The glass in the car should not be damaged, because the driver’s safety on the road depends on the quality of the view.
One of the problems that car owners face is scratches. They can appear due to dirt getting under the wipers, sharp branches and stones flying off from under other cars.
Read the article about the means by which you can remove scratches from car glass, including deep ones.
Damage removal options
There are two options to get rid of scratches - remove them yourself, or contact a specialist.
You will be able to deal with the problem yourself if the defects are minor. If the glass is severely damaged, then it will not be possible to do without the help of a specialist .
To understand how significant the defect is, you need to run your fingernail over it. If it falls into the recess and clings to the walls, the scratch is deep.
You will be able to remove the defect yourself if it appeared due to sand getting under the wipers or due to improper washing of the car. When scratches are the result of stones flying into the windshield or the result of too aggressive cleaning of ice, you will need the help of a specialist.
You need to be prepared for the fact that deep defects cannot be completely removed. Such scratches can be polished by approximately 60%. This improves the appearance of the car, but it is no longer possible to make the glass look like new.
The main factors influencing the transparency of the windshield
When the car drives, dust, raindrops, snow remain on it, and a coating appears on the inside within a few months. Cracks occur due to impacts from small objects.
Other reasons:
- Sand, under the sealing elements of the wipers.
- Stones fly away while other cars are moving, get on the paint, break headlights and windows.
- Snow is difficult to clear with a scraper.
- The car was washed with abrasive products.
- Instead of a napkin, a hard cloth is used for wiping.
- Improper glass care.
After several years of operation, glass transparency decreases by 20% due to poor-quality polishing. New cars do not rub; such procedures are performed on worn coatings when transparency and attractive appearance are lost.
Types of damage:
- Gradually the outer layer loses its transparency.
- Small scratches cover a large area.
- Deep defects.
- Chips at the impact site.
- Cracks.
Tips for choosing a detergent:
- The composition should not contain ammonia and other components that react with iron, rubber and paintwork. Washing with toxic substances is carried out in the fresh air.
- The chemicals are chosen according to the season; in winter it is easier to care for the glass.
- During the rainy season, the car is treated with a nano-coating that removes dirt well and increases its water-repellent properties.
- We buy products from the middle price segment; too cheap detergents gradually leave marks on the glass.
Substances that protect against dirt and stains are applied to glass parts. AquaGel remains clean for 6 months and is applied quickly.
Today, aerosols are used more and more often; in winter they help get rid of frost and icing; 1 bottle is enough for the whole season.
Quality detergents:
- Arexons Scheiben Schaum. Foam-based liquid - a universal cleaner that does not leave smudges or streaks.
- Armor All Glass Cleaner removes dust and soot well. Glass parts shine and become perfectly transparent.
- Armor All Auto Glass Cleaner. A high-quality cleaner removes dust and cloudy sediment from the inside.
- BBF is suitable for front and rear lights.
When choosing a product, the type of contamination is taken into account.
Removal instructions
There are proven products that allow you to remove scratches from your windshield at home. These include:
- paste GOI,
- toothpaste,
- sandpaper.
They all work on the same principle - polishing the surface.
Paste GOI
GOI paste is a substance based on chrome green , organic fats and auxiliary additives (silica gel, stearin, kerosene, etc.). It was developed at the State Optical Institute, after which this unique composition was named. The paste is used for polishing and grinding various glass surfaces, including car windows.
Using GOI paste for the first time, you should not be surprised at its rich emerald color. After polishing, it will not leave marks on the glass.
Algorithm of actions:
Moisten a soft cloth with a small amount of kerosene or gasoline, and then lubricate it with GOI paste.- Apply a small amount of industrial oil to the glass.
- Start polishing. Periodically, the paste on the fabric needs to be renewed.
- Do not press too hard on the glass. Continue rubbing until the scratch disappears and the glass begins to shine.
- The remaining paste is removed with a damp cloth. The work takes about an hour.
Polishing paste is available in the form of hard pencils and bars; it can also have a creamy consistency. In the latter case, the composition is packaged in plastic jars. The average price for 100 g is 250 rubles.
To polish glass, you can use GOI paste No. 2 and No. 3 . They do not contain large abrasive particles that can damage the surface of the product.
Sandpaper
Polishing with sandpaper requires care. If you overdo it, you can provoke the appearance of new defects. To process glass, fine 2500 grit paper is used, but you can start with 600 grit paper.
Procedure:
- It is most convenient to sand the surface with a grinder with an attachment for sandpaper with Velcro;
- the glass is wetted, the device is turned on at low speed (no more than 1500 per minute), if this indicator is exceeded, the surface may burst;
- process the defect with 600 grit sandpaper, after which they switch to 2500 grit sandpaper;
- complete the process by applying any polishing compound, spreading it with a felt circle.
To prevent the glass from overheating, water must be supplied to it.
If you don't have a grinder or similar tool, you can do the work manually, but in this case it will take longer.
This video will show you how to remove scratches from car glass:
Toothpaste
To get rid of scratches on glass, you can use toothpaste. To get results, you should choose a composition with a whitening effect. Only this paste contains abrasive particles that can polish the glass surface.
Mode of application:
To make the surface of the glass smooth, you need to polish it with a grinding machine with a felt disc.
Its rotation speed should not exceed 1600 rpm. If you don’t have such a device, you can use a felt cloth.- A small amount of the product is applied to the disc or material.
- Rub it into the glass in a circular motion.
- When the damage becomes invisible, the treated area is washed with water and wiped dry.
Toothpaste has low effectiveness, so it can only cope with minor surface defects.
What needs to be prepared for restoration?
It is possible to use an electric drill with a speed controller, but polishing with it is not entirely comfortable. In addition to power tools, you need to prepare the following materials and accessories:
- PET film to protect the body from abrasive material.
- Liquid or product to remove paste residue.
- Polishing pastes and polish.
- Microfiber cloths.
- 3M polishing wheel.
- Spray bottle for water.
- Masking tape.
- Marker.
Polishing materials
Small scratches on car glass and how to remove them effectively – that’s what occupies the thoughts of any self-respecting motorist. It should be noted that pastes and polishes play an important role here, because a properly selected product contributes to high-quality restoration. As a material for processing at the first stage, experts recommend:
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- CeriGlass paste from Carpro - has a balanced formula based on cerium oxide and ceramics. Designed to work with a polishing wheel or manually using the applicator included in the kit. Price – about 1,700 rubles.
- Fluoropol powder – contains cerium dioxide in a solid mixture of oxides. It is brought into working condition by adding water and stirring until it reaches the consistency of sour cream. A package weighing 100 grams costs 755 rubles.
- GOI paste No. 1 and No. 2 is a dark green solid composition based on chromium oxide. Some craftsmen prefer to dilute the paste in a few drops of machine oil in order to increase work efficiency. The price of the material is from 300 to 500 rubles per kilogram.
How much does the service cost and how to find specialists?
The service for removing scratches from glass is provided in auto repair shops . Private craftsmen do similar work. The cost depends on their volume, number and depth of defects. The average price in Russian cities is 500 rubles.
You can find specialists through advertisements on the Internet. As a rule, in each city there are several workshops that provide polishing services for car parts. It is recommended to choose proven services that have positive reviews.
Before agreeing to carry out the work, you need to clarify what result will be obtained in the end and whether the treatment will affect the strength of the glass.
Since in case of deep defects it is better to replace it. Installing new side windows will cost 800 rubles, and a windshield - 1,500 rubles (the cost of the work is indicated, excluding the price of the part itself).
Causes of scratches
There are many reasons for the appearance of scratches that annoy any driver. Almost all of them are caused by the operating characteristics of the machine. First of all, these are mechanical defects that arise as a result of all kinds of pebbles, metal and other objects falling on the glass from the outside. This often happens while cars are moving, when at speed contact with even a miniature thing turns, in fact, into a blow and can lead not only to a scratch on the front windshield, but also to a serious crack.
Helpful information
Tips for removing scratches from glass:
Before sanding, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned. The ingress of small contaminants will lead to the appearance of new defects.- Do not press too hard on the glass. Movements should be circular and fast.
- After processing, the glass is cleaned with a soft cloth to remove any remaining polishing agent.
- If the glass is removed for work, it must be securely fixed. However, you cannot use clamps that are too powerful, as it may burst.
- If polishing is being done for the first time or with a new product, it is better to first practice on some unnecessary glass.
A lot of useful and important information about methods and means of removing scratches on a car can be found here.
Perform polishing
It is necessary to remove scratches by polishing indoors at a positive temperature. Before the process, it is necessary to wash the body, thoroughly clean the windshield and degrease its surface. Adjacent areas of the body are covered with film, the auto glass seal must be sealed with masking tape. When preparing for work, it is necessary to connect the polishing machine to the network via a cable of sufficient length to provide access to the glass being processed in all working positions. The machine needs to be set to low speed
The order of work is as follows:
- The polish prepared in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions is evenly applied to the wheel.
- Turn on the polishing machine and polish the auto glass in the area of local defects or over the entire surface. To prevent overheating, you should not stay in one place for a long time during the process.
- After completion, check the glass for any remaining scratches or areas of cloudiness. If necessary, repeat the treatment.
- Final processing is carried out with anti-hologram polish using a new circle.
- Wash the glass thoroughly, removing any remaining polishing paste. Remove the film and tape.
The duration of such independent minor windshield repairs depends on the area of the surface being treated and the preparation of the performer. On average, it takes from 2 to 6 hours to completely polish a car glass. In the first days after work, when operating the car, it is recommended to pay attention to the condition of the glass. If it shows glare from headlights or street lights, re-polishing is recommended.
Our addresses
- Auto glass on Ryabinovaya
, Moscow, st. Ryabinovaya, 65 District: Ochakovo-Matveevskoe (JSC) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01 - Auto glass on Dybenko
, Moscow, st. Dybenko, 7/1 District: Khovrino (SAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01 - Auto glass on Silikatny
Moscow, 3rd Silikatny proezd, 8 District: Khoroshevo-Mnevniki (SZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01 - Auto glass on Osennyaya
, Moscow, st. Osennyaya, 35 c3 District: Krylatskoye (ZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01 - Auto glass on Vasily Petushkov
Moscow, st. Vasily Petushkova, 3 District: Yuzhnoye Tushino (SZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01 - Auto glass on Dmitrovsky
Moscow, Dmitrovskoe highway, 110 B District: Dmitrovsky (SAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01 - Auto glass on Leningradka
Moscow, Leningradsky Prospekt, 37 c6 District: Begovoi (SAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01 - Auto glass on Skolkovsky
Moscow, Skolkovskoe highway, no. 33 b1 District: Mozhaisky (ZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01 - Auto glass on Leninsky
Moscow, Leninsky Prospekt, 127 bldg. District: Teply Stan (South-Western Administrative District) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01 - Auto glass on Anokhina
Moscow, Akademika Anokhina, 2 k9 District: Troparevo-Nikulino (ZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01 - Auto glass on Mnevniki
Moscow, Nizhnie Mnevniki, 13a District: Khoroshevo-Mnevniki (SZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01 - Auto glass on Lipetskaya
, Moscow, st. Lipetskaya, 27 District: Biryulyovo Vostochnoye (Southern Administrative District) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01 - Auto glass on Orekhovoy
Moscow, Orekhovy passage, 11 District: Zyablikovo (Southern Administrative Okrug) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01 - Auto glass on Belomorskaya
Moscow, Belomorskaya st., 40 building 2 District: Khovrino (SAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01
Why is it better to contact a specialist?
And yet, GOI paste and a piece of felt cannot be compared with the equipment in the workshops and the experience of the craftsmen in terms of efficiency and feasibility.
Polishing does not cost exorbitant amounts of money, and the advantages of doing it in a salon are obvious.
- You won’t ruin the glass by mixing strong polish on the advice of an expert on the Internet or by choosing the wrong machine speed.
- The polisher at its optimal speed works more than 100 times faster than your hand with a cloth.
- The service workers have been doing this for several days and know the nuances that are not included in the instructions along with the grinding machine.
Advice
We often create scratches on the windshield ourselves by improperly washing the windows. Do not wipe them dry with rags containing grains of sand or hard fabrics - and the problem of polishing can be slightly delayed.
Polishing just seems like a simple process! To do everything correctly and beautifully, grandmother's advice may not be enough. And risking the integrity of glass worth several thousand rubles out of savings of several hundred is a dubious financial tactic.
