# removing scratches from glass **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 15, 2005, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-scratches-from-glass/331136 "2005-11-15T06:38:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-scratches-from-glass/331136/1 "2005-11-15T06:38:41Z")
The tempered glass on my front storm door was heavilly scuffed and scratched from a falling tree limb. I have a buffer bit on my Dremmel tool, but the automotive rubbing compound isnt doing enough. Is there a more stout compound available? ---
**Author:** ![Khan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3ab097/32.png) [@Khan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khan)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-scratches-from-glass/331136/2 "2005-11-15T06:55:31Z")
It’s possible that the stuff you’re using isn’t coarse enough to take care of the deeper scratches. Try using something with more grit and then use progressively finer compounds to finish the job. ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-scratches-from-glass/331136/3 "2005-11-15T12:49:57Z")
Would it be possible to treat the deeper scratches with a polyresin filler )as used on car windscreens) and concentrate your buffing to the scuffing? It may lessen your workload. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-scratches-from-glass/331136/4 "2005-11-15T13:31:11Z")
I agree with **Vtech** but if you must grind remember that you have to remove all the surrounding glass down to the depth of the scratch. I have had toothpaste suggested for polishing glass though I haven’t personally used it for that, just for lapping metal pistons. ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-scratches-from-glass/331136/5 "2005-11-15T13:52:05Z")
If the glass truly is tempered, as opposed to some other toughening process, be careful about trying to polish out surface scratches. Tempered glass has high internal stresses which can cause it to shatter dramatically. ---
**Author:** ![Khan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3ab097/32.png) [@Khan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khan)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-scratches-from-glass/331136/6 "2005-11-15T22:49:33Z")
> [@ticker](#): > > If the glass truly is tempered, as opposed to some other toughening process, be careful about trying to polish out surface scratches. Tempered glass has high internal stresses which can cause it to shatter dramatically. Is it tempered glass that crumbles into little cube-shaped fragments or am I thinking of something else? In other words, were the OP to exceed these stresses with his dremel (so that’s what kids are calling it these days), would he be in for a skewering? ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-scratches-from-glass/331136/7 "2005-11-15T23:03:43Z")
The Eastwood Company sells a kit to buff out windshield wiper (and other) scratches from automobile windshields. I don’t know, though, how this might work with your glass. Just a thought, though. [Details here.](http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2010&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=glass+buffing) ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-scratches-from-glass/331136/8 "2005-11-16T01:01:59Z")
I would go w/ the resin method, as if you were able to ‘sand’ them out, you would have optical distortions due to varying thicknesses of glass.