How to Repair a Car Window Scratch

Most of us have had to deal with a scratch on our car window at some point. Not only does it mar the fine appearance of your vehicle, but it's also unsafe to drive with. If left unattended, the damage could lead to the glass shattering when you least expect it, possibly triggering a serious accident. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much for you to remedy the situation. Use the guide below to clear any scratches when they occur on your vehicle windows.

Step 1 - Clean the Scratch

Spray glass cleaner onto the window, and clean with a soft cloth. Be thorough when treating the scratch to clear away any and all grime. Remnants of dirt will yield unsatisfactory results when you're trying to make repairs.

Step 2 - Use Toothpaste and Baking Soda

Squeeze about one-quarter of a tube of toothpaste into a bowl, and add a teaspoon of baking soda. Mix thoroughly with a spatula until no traces of the baking soda are visible. Use your finger to dab some of the mixture onto the scratch. It's important that you apply with a gentle pressure to avoid further damage to the glass. Rub in the mixture with a circular motion, and then allow it to sit for about five minutes to work on the scratch.

Step 3 - Buff the Scratch

Next, use a soft cloth to buff the area in circular motions. Keep up the activity with medium pressure until the blemish disappears. If it proves stubborn, however, dab some more of your mixture onto the area and buff repeatedly. This should take 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 4 - Clean Away the Solution

Spray some more glass cleaner onto the window, and wipe it away with a soft cloth. If the scratch is still visible, proceed with the following treatment.

Step 5 - Make a Jewelers Rouge Treatment

Combine a tablespoon each of water, jewelers rouge, and glycerin in a bowl; use larger but equal portions of each ingredient if the scratch is deep and wide. Mix well with a spatula until you note that the solution has a uniform color.

Step 6 - Apply Treatment

Dab some of this new mixture onto the scratch with your finger. Apply over entire area, being careful not to apply firm pressure that may cause the entire window to shatter. Buff in a circular motion for a couple of minutes. Then, allow about five minutes for the treatment to take effect.

Step 7 - Clean the Window Again

Spray glass cleaner onto the affected area once more and clean with a soft cloth. Your window should look as good as new; however, if the scratch is still visible, you should repeat the process until the scratch clears.

Additional Tips

For best results, repair scratches as soon as you notice them. It's also a good idea to repeat this process every four to six months after your initial repair. This will ensure that the scratch doesn’t fully reappear.

Do not allow the mixtures to remain too long on the window before you clean them off with window cleaner. They contain abrasives which may damage the glass even more.