The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Small scratches in glass

Not sure what category to put this under. The other day I picked up a rear big window for my 59 out of the local yard and it was in great shape for being there 40 years (according to the owner). When I brought it home and cleaned it up i did see there are several very small scrathes I assume are just from being out in thwe weather that long. My question is, is there some type of polish or buffing compound that will take out small scrathes?
Thanks
Brian M

Hi Brian, I may be wrong but I think the TF's 'big' window is made from tempered glass.
If so, and you can feel the scratches with your fingernail,you might have a tough time polishing them out.
Laminated glass is slightly easier.

Any good glass shop should be able to offer some suggestions.
The other problem you can get from polishing out scratches is distortion in the glass after.

This is due to the fact your are physically removing glass as
you polish.
Personally I would contact your local glass shop (Auto or domestic) and see what they say.

Good luck
Jock

Anything that disturbs the surface tension of tempered glass is an explosion of glass gravel waiting to happen. If the scratch happens to penetrate all the way through the hardened surface, it can be a starting point for a catastrophic failure. Definitely let a pro check it out before you try to install it.
Jerry

Good point Jerry.
I agree although Brian does mention only small scratches.

Deeply scratched tempered glass can and does literally explode if subjected to too much pressure, impact or thermal shock. i.e extreme temperature change.
Another point to check is for 'shells' on the edges,they too can cause the same problems.

I have waxed glass to make small scratches less visible.

I agree with Jock and Jerry on tempered glass exploding with thermal changes. In fact Chrysler had a recall in the early 80's for rear windows exploding when the morning sun hit them. Turns out they were being scratched during installation at the bottom near the trim - wasnt noticed until a few started exploding which was narrowed down to a 3 week build window at the factory.

Check with your local glass installer first.

Some years ago I remember ads on TV of some prodct you could use to polish the scratches off your eye glasses.

Cars and Parts had an article on polishing marks out of windshields, some time ago. Of course they would be safety glass. There was a whole kit mentioned. It even said that if you take it too far, you can actually create distortions.

I had my body man/painter buff my corner glasses. I held them while he ran his buffer over them. We used a mildly agressive compound (same as buffing clear coat). Worked pretty well, not perfect, but from 6 feet away they look it. Bottom line- try that first, it won't "grind" into the glass like others noted, but it might not get ALL of the scratches out. I think you'll be pleased with the end result.

Thanks to everyone for their help. The scratches are very light and probably just from the elements. I definitely will talk to a glass expert before I do anything.
Brian M

Try rubbing them out with #00 steel wool and glass cleaner first. May be marks rather than scratches.
Scott