Expert Q&A: Removing Scratches from Side Window of a Truck

Question:

I have some scratches on the side window of a truck. Do you have any tips on removing scratches in glass? I am not confident if you can call these light or heavy scratches. You can feel them with fingernails. Please let me know what I should use to work on these.

Answer:

We use Cerium Oxide and our Polishing Head attached to a corded drill (cordless may not have the required power) to remove light scratches from windshields and laminated side glass. As a rule of thumb, if a scratch is deep enough to catch your fingernail in it, the likelihood of satisfactory removal is slight. Side windows are typically tempered glass and therefore many times harder than windshields, making scratch removal much more difficult. Very light scratches in tempered glass may still be removed, but removing scratches here will require additional time and patience.

Expert Q&A: Using Cerium Oxide to Remove Glass Scratches

Question:

Will I be able to remove scratches on my windshield with the Cerium Oxide Buffing Compound?

Answer:

Yes, we use Cerium Oxide and our Polishing Head to remove light scratches from windshields. Many windshield suppliers use this method to remove light scratches from “new” windshields before delivery to glass shops. If you order this product, be sure to request our scratch polishing instructions.

For a successful removal of scratches, the key to scratch removal is patience, persistence and properly identifying that types of scratches. As a rule of thumb, if a scratch is deep enough that you can catch a fingernail in it, the likelihood of satisfactory removal is minimal. Keep in mind, this is a very labor-intensive process. So, the longer the scratch, the longer it will take to remove it. If scratches cover the windshield, it is probably not cost-effective to try and remove them. Read More