Buff out windshield scratches w/rubbing compound wha???

[lone_wolf025]

Like the title said. My boss was telling one of my coworkers that they used to "buff" glass to get out scratches. He suggested using rubbing compound and a buffing pad on a grinder...that's right he said grinder. I heard this and my jaw was hanging open. Me thinks you'd wind up with a messed up windshield, but seeing as the alternative to have it replaced or possibly repaired professionally Has anyone ever heard of this before?

[tenspeed]

It sounded do-able so I did a net search using "buffing windshield scratches". It came up with a lot of sites and advice.

I would try using a buffer and the right kind of compound on a old car before I tried it on my windshield. Better yet, get glass coverage on your insurance then have them replace it in a couple months.

[lvemy3100]

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=2010&itemType=PRODUCT

http://eastwood.resultspage.com/search?p=Q&ts=custom&w=glass+polish

[coupe]

Simple answer to this is yes it can be done.
However it is not as simple or easy as "just buff it out".

First you have to understand how a scratch is removed from a surface. You have to remove/abbrade away the material *around* the scratch. Basicly leveling the surface to the lowest level of the scratch.

This is *relatively* easy to do on painted surfaces or other types of soft surfaces. Now think about how hard glass is, leveling it is very difficult becuase of how hard of a material it is.

So yes, it can be done BUT you would have to be extremely aggresive, more aggresive than a rotary is of course. The only company i know of who specializes in this is the Eastwood Company. You can buy everything you need from them.

[GAmaniac]

I've heard people doing that kinda stuff to older cars... i saw it while watching a car show on TV years back.... i also saw someone use liquid polish to put on windows and it works just like RainX and makes your windows shine like new

[tenspeed]

First you have to understand how a scratch is removed from a surface. You have to remove/abbrade away the material *around* the scratch. Basicly leveling the surface to the lowest level of the scratch.

Another factor is that there will be some distortion in the buffed area.