Scratched up windshield...can you polish it out?

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  Scratched up windshield...can you polish it out?

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Author Topic:   Scratched up windshield...can you polish it out?

LUV2FISH posted 03-23-2001 08:04 PM ET (US)
I have a 18 outrage and the windshield is fine except its really scratched up bad. Like someone took sandpaper to it or something. Any way to buff out the scratches?
Paint Legend posted 03-23-2001 09:03 PM ET (US)
Meguires & 3M both make plastic cleaners and polish that work well. I am guessing that for the deep scratches you might have luck wet sanding. Start off with the finest paper possible and work your way up. I would be nervous with a buffer, I think it will heat up the plastic and make a bigger mess.
I polish the plastic on my old Suburban all the time to keep it fresh. My scratches have been fine, nothing like yours. You don't have much to lose by sounds of it!
Good luck,
Tom
Dick posted 03-23-2001 10:36 PM ET (US)
I have heard of people hitting the plastic with a propane torch. It must be done very carefully.
I would go with either the 3M or Meguiars plastic scratch remover first and use the torch as a last resort.
dfmcintyre posted 03-24-2001 10:09 AM ET (US)
I've used the 3M scratch removers on the windshield and it works fine.
Did it with a buffer, and like Paint Legend points out, be careful with the pressure.
Easiest way, is to take the windshield off the console, and down on a terrycloth covered piece of plywood that is supported between two sawhorses. That way you are always polishing a horizontal surface.
sport15er posted 03-27-2001 08:48 PM ET (US)
The propane torch works great for plexiglass edge work; but can leave 'waves' on a flatter surface. The trick is moving the torch as the surface begins to melt & clarify, careful not to hold it still or it will burn & blacken the glass.
Experiment with some scrap.....

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Author	Topic: Scratched up windshield...can you polish it out?
LUV2FISH	posted 03-23-2001 08:04 PM ET (US) I have a 18 outrage and the windshield is fine except its really scratched up bad. Like someone took sandpaper to it or something. Any way to buff out the scratches?
Paint Legend	posted 03-23-2001 09:03 PM ET (US) Meguires & 3M both make plastic cleaners and polish that work well. I am guessing that for the deep scratches you might have luck wet sanding. Start off with the finest paper possible and work your way up. I would be nervous with a buffer, I think it will heat up the plastic and make a bigger mess. I polish the plastic on my old Suburban all the time to keep it fresh. My scratches have been fine, nothing like yours. You don't have much to lose by sounds of it! Good luck, Tom
Dick	posted 03-23-2001 10:36 PM ET (US) I have heard of people hitting the plastic with a propane torch. It must be done very carefully. I would go with either the 3M or Meguiars plastic scratch remover first and use the torch as a last resort.
dfmcintyre	posted 03-24-2001 10:09 AM ET (US) I've used the 3M scratch removers on the windshield and it works fine. Did it with a buffer, and like Paint Legend points out, be careful with the pressure. Easiest way, is to take the windshield off the console, and down on a terrycloth covered piece of plywood that is supported between two sawhorses. That way you are always polishing a horizontal surface.
sport15er	posted 03-27-2001 08:48 PM ET (US) The propane torch works great for plexiglass edge work; but can leave 'waves' on a flatter surface. The trick is moving the torch as the surface begins to melt & clarify, careful not to hold it still or it will burn & blacken the glass. Experiment with some scrap.....