Scratch on windshield

[smiley2362]

I have a 4" scratch on my lower front windshield. I cannot feel it with my fingernail but I can see it on the outside lower left towards the corner. What can be done?

[ctmurray]

I have a 4" scratch on my lower front windshield. I cannot feel it with my fingernail but I can see it on the outside lower left towards the corner. What can be done?

The screen is made of PMMA, a relatively soft plastic. The scratch can be polished out, and there are YouTube videos on how to do this. But I think this is hard to do properly. There is probably some shop or trades person that can do this for you if you search on the internet.

[villagetinker]

Automobile or golf cart? Is this a DIY project?
If golf cart it may be possible with some (maybe lots) of elbow grease and a polishing compound to polish the scratch out. You might also be able to use one of the clear coat scratch pens on the scratch followed by the polishing compound. If this is a scratch on the automobile windshield I would use crazy glue (or similar) allow to completely dry, scrape off excess with a razor blade, and use polishing compound if necessary to remove any residual material on the glass.

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, no matter what you do, you will still see it, and you may make it worse. If it bothers you, get a new windshield.

[Indy-Guy]

If you are talking about a golf cart windshield I have used Novus with great results.

Novus 7100 Plastic Polish Kit - 8 Ounce available on Amazon for $19.00. This for Novus #1 Novus # 2 and Novus #3 kit. Three step process takes about 5 minutes.

I had used Novus # 1 for a long time to clean and polish my windshield it is great so when I had a scratch I tried the 3 step process and it worked great. The scratch that I had I thought I would end up buying a new windshield but no need for me to do that with this process.

Search Novus 7100 Plastic Polish Kit - 8 Ounce on Amazon or youtube to see videos.

[DAVES]

I have a 4" scratch on my lower front windshield. I cannot feel it with my fingernail but I can see it on the outside lower left towards the corner. What can be done?

No one can give you proper advice. If a golf cart it is plastic. If an automobile it is glass.
On either, if it is a crack it will likely spread. On a car you may try one of the glue products or perhaps have a professional do it. If, it is glass, glass is strange it can fail for no apparent reason. Imagine on the highway.

On a golf cart you might try one of the polishes. Ours was cracked right down the middle of the lower panel. Truth it didn't bother me. It bothered the wife. Not worth fighting about it just had it done cost $250. I expect you can find it for less.

[jimkerr]

Just like a scratch in the paint, your glass windshield am be polished too. Any detailer should be able to fix it for ya.

[larbud]

If it’s a car it’s probably a crack,You would not be able to feel it. Shine a flashlight on it from different angles to determine that.
If crack call safelite for free replacement..

[acornhome]

Don’t laugh but try rubbing white toothpaste on it if it is an acrylic windshield. I use acrylic pieces for my work and it works every time.

[smiley2362]

It is my auto glass. I think I did it when I cleaned my front window at the gas station. Although how did that wand cleaner have scratched my glass? Or at least that is when I noticed it? I really do NOT think it is a crack by the shape of it. Thank you for all of your tips.

[Jazzcat]

Have you contacted your auto insurance agent? If you have Comprehensive, it should be covered and many times the deductible is waived, so repair would be covered in full.

[retiredguy123]

It is my auto glass. I think I did it when I cleaned my front window at the gas station. Although how did that wand cleaner have scratched my glass? Or at least that is when I noticed it? I really do NOT think it is a crack by the shape of it. Thank you for all of your tips.
It is virtually impossible to remove a scratch from an auto windshield.

[Samcat13]

No one can give you proper advice. If a golf cart it is plastic. If an automobile it is glass.
On either, if it is a crack it will likely spread. On a car you may try one of the glue products or perhaps have a professional do it. If, it is glass, glass is strange it can fail for no apparent reason. Imagine on the highway.

On a golf cart you might try one of the polishes. Ours was cracked right down the middle of the lower panel. Truth it didn't bother me. It bothered the wife. Not worth fighting about it just had it done cost $250. I expect you can find it for less.

I like this one. "No one can give you proper advise" :bigbow:

[La lamy]

I've only successfully filled in a small stone chip from auto glass windshield with a kit bought from hardware store. Don't know about a scratch. I'd ask people in the automobile department, I bet there is something you can apply yourself.

[mneumann02]

It is my auto glass. I think I did it when I cleaned my front window at the gas station. Although how did that wand cleaner have scratched my glass? Or at least that is when I noticed it? I really do NOT think it is a crack by the shape of it. Thank you for all of your tips.
I have not done this in FL, but it worked in Missouri. Contact your insurance company. Many places such as oil change and repair shops can fix the scratch/crack easily (and insurance covered 100% in my two cases, since the repair prevents further cracking necessitating whole windshield replacement). Repair consists of drilling very small holes at the end the the scratch/crack to prevent further harm and then smoothing it out with some chemical.

[retiredguy123]

I have not done this in FL, but it worked in Missouri. Contact your insurance company. Many places such as oil change and repair shops can fix the scratch/crack easily (and insurance covered 100% in my two cases, since the repair prevents further cracking necessitating whole windshield replacement). Repair consists of drilling very small holes at the end the the scratch/crack to prevent further harm and then smoothing it out with some chemical.
That type of repair is for cracks or chips, where they inject a glue into the crack. The OP has a 4 inch long surface scratch that is cosmetic. An auto windshield has a highly polished factory finish that would be virtually impossible to replicate. Even if you could fill in the scratch, you would still see it because what you see is the light reflection from inside the scratch, where the polished finish has been damaged. I have tried to polish scratches on glass, but never had any success, and usually made it look worse.

[shortstack]

I like this one. "No one can give you proper advise" :bigbow:

It would have helped if the person who was seeking help specified if it was golf cart or car. DAH.

[Topspinmo]

I have a 4" scratch on my lower front windshield. I cannot feel it with my fingernail but I can see it on the outside lower left towards the corner. What can be done?

Replace it if you can’t live with it.

[DonnieandRita]

I have been in the auto glass business all my life (family business) you have to have the right pad, rpm speed on drill and compound with water to keep cool. If you overdo it, it causes distortion. For that large of a scratch it would take about 4 hours. If you hire someone to do it for you it would just cost too much. Good luck, Donnie

[retiredguy123]

I have been in the auto glass business all my life (family business) you have to have the right pad, rpm speed on drill and compound with water to keep cool. If you overdo it, it causes distortion. For that large of a scratch it would take about 4 hours. If you hire someone to do it for you it would just cost too much. Good luck, Donnie
I agree. For about $300-350, you can replace the windshield.