Window Scratch: Repair It On Your Own

Scratches on windows can be a real eye-catcher. A scratch left on the glass spoils the look of the entire window pane.  A scratch is a nick or a small crack in the window pane. While it may not seem like a big deal, if you won’t repair a scratch on the window, it can lead to more severe problems in the future.

There are two ways to deal with the problem: replace the damaged window, or try to remove the unattractive mark. And if the first option is quite expensive, the second will be pretty affordable.

In this blog article, we will tell you how to repair a scratch on the window yourself and what remedies to remove scratches from the glass will help you.

Causes of Window Chips and Scratches

Before performing window scratch repair, you need to know what causes them to appear. If this information is not studied in advance, the scratches may likely reappear on the window. Common causes of scratches include:

• Getting dust, small pebbles on the surface;
• Glass rubbing against hard surfaces;
• Incorrect care;
• Use of abrasive powders when cleaning;
• Accidental shocks;
• Abrupt closing;
• Errors during installation of insulating glass units;
• Influence of weather factors and critical temperatures.

It lists just a few reasons why window scratches can occur. The glass can lose its integrity with careless handling, improper maintenance, and so on.

It is possible to repair minor scratches on the glass on your own. You can quickly get the job done if you adhere to and follow the recommendations below.

Home Tools for Window Scratch Repair

Window glass is somewhat fragile, so any damage should be repaired as carefully as possible. You can easily polish out minor scratches, restoring the surface to its original appearance. 

You can remove scratches on glass with a few handy remedies that everyone has at home. You’ll find each scratch remover from glass in your home. But if not, don’t worry; these products are available at stores near your home.

But, before you start “reanimating” your insulating glass unit, you should first clean the surface to be repaired well. To do this, take a soft cloth, moisten it with cold water, squeeze it and remove all the dust from the glass. If you don’t do this, the grime will leave a few more new scratches. Work only on a dry surface.

Toothpaste

Such an elementary thing that anyone has, as toothpaste will help you efficiently perform the repair of scratches on the glass from minor surface damages. Using it is simple:

• Take your toothpaste and apply it to a cotton pad. A small amount the size of a pea is enough to treat it.
• Next, treat the glass with gentle circular motions.
• You can remove the remnants of the paste with a dry paper towel.
• Repeat the procedure about 4-5 times until the traces disappear entirely.

But we should note that for glass treatment, by no means take colored toothpaste and paste with flecks and pigmented particles. The ideal option would be plain white toothpaste.

Vinegar and Mustard

If the scratches on your window are medium-depth, you can repair them with vinegar and mustard. No, this is not a joke; read and remember the method:

• First, prepare a thick mush based on dry mustard and vinegar – it should resemble a thick cream in consistency;
• Then, apply the compound to the glass and scrub it with a cotton pad;
• Polish the surface with a paper towel.

Readymade store mustard will not work for removing scratches. For optimal effect, it is necessary to use a mixture of mustard powder and vinegar.

Nail Polish

Clear nail polish is a fantastic scratch remover from glass that helps mask even deep gouges. Procedure:

• Degrease the surface with nail polish remover, alcohol, or acetone.
• Apply colorless varnish to the scratch in a thin layer.
• Allow the product to dry.
• Use a rubber spatula or a cotton swab soaked in acetone to remove the rest of the nail polish.

Do not remove the excess nail polish with hard or sharp objects, as they will leave behind new scratches.

Baking Soda

To avoid the appearance of new scratches on the glass after baking soda treatment, you must follow the instructions strictly:

• Dilute a small amount of baking soda with warm water. The ready mixture should not contain undiluted particles or lumps;
• Apply the paste to the damaged area;
• Wipe the glass with a cotton pad, and remove the remains with a clean, soft cloth.

Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil is the most inexpensive scratch remover from glass that everyone has at home. You can use it to mask minor scratches. How to use:

• Apply the oil to a cotton pad;
• Work on the damaged area;
• Remove the remainder with a paper towel.

Unfortunately, you cannot repair deep scratches on glass with oil.

Unique Compounds for Removing Damage From Glass Pane

When choosing a remedy to scratch remover from glass, you should prefer compositions without large abrasive particles.

Do not use polishes that should be applied with a grinder; the window glass will not withstand such treatment and will break. Only compounds that can be used by hand are suitable.

If the scratches are minor, you can use optical polishes. They will fill in the indentations, making it appear as if the glass is brand new. However, the effect will disappear after washing the window, and you must repeat the procedure.

Abrasive polishes remove scratches, but they must be used with care.

As you can see, it is not difficult to repair scratches from glass. You can remove superficial scratches from the window glass yourself. To do this, use improvised means and specialized compounds. Whichever method you choose, follow the instructions carefully to avoid aggravating the problem.

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