I have a couple of very fine scratches down my windscreen, no idea how they got there as they are not congruent with the sweep of the wipers. I would almost conclude a cat had done this but for the absence of any further scratches on the paintwork.

I'd rather not replace the whole screen; is anyone familiar with a product which I can use to do this? I've tried a couple of waxes, T-cut etc but the scratches remain despite an awful lot of elbow-grease. I used to use brass polish (Brasso) to remove scratches from the glass on a watch. Will that be OK on a screen?

 

Check with a auto glass shop, they can tell you if not help directly!

 

Polishes will work; waxes make it worse.

The Brasso should be fine for removing the scratches if they're not that deep. If there's a residual haze left afterwards, use a finer polish to remove the haze.

I prefer to use rubbing compound on glass for getting out surface scratches, depending on how deep they are. Glass is obviously tougher than paint, so if paint can handle it so will the glass. And if there's residual haze I use a finer polish from my assortment of polishes.

 

My thanks to you both; I'll try a brass polish on a secluded area first. If it fails, I shall visit the auto-glass guy.

I like that new picture, Ben. Didja finally abandon your search for intelligent life....?

 

The brass polish may be too gentle for the glass as it is, as glass is more scratch resistant than brass. If you have some automotive polishing compound I would try that instead. Turtle Wax makes an inexpensive polishing compound - white in color - that I've used successfully in the past for removing scratches on glass.

Thanks Draxa. That there be what you might call a flying boat - not to be confused with the Spruce Goose of Howard Hughes fame.

Yes, I abandoned the search when it finally dawned on me that all I had to do was look within.

 

"Yes, I abandoned the search when it finally dawned on me that all I had to do was look within."

Any number of ripostes spring to mind, Ben. But you've been so kind and I'm feeling really mellow.....

I'll let you know how the scratch-treatment goes.

 

Griot's Garage sells a fine glass polisher. It might do the trick. Start looking at their online site.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/index.jsp

 

I've had some luck with Scratch-X.

 

Thanks Edgy, but I live in England......

 

I think they ship over there, particularly something as chemically benign as a polish. Only of course as a last resort if you can't get something from 'ye old auto. glass shoppe.'

 

Draxa: Is that how they think we still talk in England? Obviously the UK Tourist Board needs to update its brochures. Brasso worked for me but it takes some time and hard rubbing.

Edgy01: I've translated 'auto glass' for you: its 'car windows' and I can't wait for the horse and cart to arrive with our coal for the wwwwwinter!!!

 

Will this approach work on the clear plastic headlight lenses as well? Those little pits caused by sand and other tiny debris drives me crazy...

 

Absolutely not!

Plastic is softer than paint, which is softer than glass.

Use products specifically made for plastic such as Meguiar's Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish.

 

Aaaaarrrrh, 'twas hard, but me other 'arf and me managed ye merrie olde cloth and Brasso and yon scratches didst verily DISAPPEAR!
'Tis top notch stuff, this Brasso by God.

 

Thanks OCBen!