The windows of your car are constantly exposed to harsh weather, road debris and other elements of nature, causing an inevitable wear and tear to the glass. Some of these scratches may appear to be irreversible, but many of them can be repaired without seeking professional service. All it takes is a small investment and some extra time to treat auto glass scratches yourself.
Determine the type of scratch you need to repair. Your fingernail should run smoothly across it if it's a surface scratch. These are entirely repairable with the proper materials. Scratches that catch your nail when running across them however are too deep to for simple repair. Deep scratches require that you have the entire window or windshield professionally replaced.
Purchase a glass or windshield repair kit from your local auto supply shop. Permatex, Stoner and Windshield Pro are some of the most popular and affordable makers of this product. Each kit includes a rubbing compound that will be the solution to your auto glass scratches.
Prepare the damaged glass by cleaning it with car wash soap and water. Distilled water is recommended in order to avoid contaminants such as grit and chemicals commonly found in hose water. The water is meant to simultaneously wash away the abraded glass and keep the area cool. Heated glass may become distorted, perhaps making scratches worse. For this reason you should also avoid repairing the scratches in direct sunlight.
Rinse the glass thoroughly and dry it with a microfiber towel to ensure that you've wiped away all traces of dirt. Once the area is completely dry, apply rubbing compound to the scratch according to the recommended amount indicated on the package. Some require you to apply it with a clean cloth, while other brands are safe to apply with your hands.
Allow the compound to settle for the appropriate amount of time before buffing the area. You can choose to use a terry cloth to buff it by hand, but a small rotary buffer like the Ryobi 10" orbital buffer is much more efficient. It allows you to spread the paste quickly and thoroughly without applying too much pressure. Once you have treated the scratch as instructed, wipe away the remainder of the rubbing compound and verify that there are no signs of damage to the glass. If a scratch persists, repeat the process as needed.
