If you own a car, chances are, you’ve likely had to deal with scratched windows at some point. Scratches on your vehicle’s windows can happen accidentally and often is simply due to natural debris.
There are several reasons your windows may become scratched, but luckily you can remove or hide the scratches with easy-to-find items like toothpaste and baking soda, acrylic scratch remover, clear nail polish, or a glass repair kit.
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What Causes Scratches on Car Windows?
Several things can cause scratches to your car windows, including improper cleaning methods, dull wiper blades, road debris, and certain forms of weather.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Over time your windshield wiper blades become dull. Aged or damaged wiper blades are the frequent reason for scratches on a windshield.
Once the rubber blade becomes dull enough, it can begin to rub against the glass, causing tiny micro scratches on the surface.
Old wiper blades are more likely to trap tiny debris, like pebbles or dirt. When this debris gets trapped under the blades, it can scrap against the glass when you use your wipers, causing small scratches.
Road Debris
Another common cause of car window scratches is road debris. Some roads will kick up more debris than others, such as gravel or dirt roads. You may see tiny pebbles or rocks kicked up by the car in front of you.
The pebbles and rocks can cause tiny scratches and even cracks on your windshield, which is why maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of you can help to avoid being hit by debris.
Weather Debris
Had a bad storm recently? Your car windows can get scratched from tree branches or other natural debris that gets thrown around during a bad storm.
Additionally, hail or extreme snow and ice can cause damage to your car’s windows.
Improper Cleaning Methods
The tools you use to clean your car can also cause scratches if they are abrasive. You should not clean your vehicle with rough sponges or rags, especially the windows.
Moreover, automatic car washes can cause scratches to your car if the brushes are too abrasive or are not regularly maintained.
Ice Scrapers
If you live in a colder climate, you’ll likely need to scrape snow or ice off your car in the winter. Ice scrapers need maintenance like any other tools.
If your ice scraper becomes dull or chipped, it could scratch your windows.
Can You Get Rid of Scratches on a Car Window?
Yes, you can remove scratches from car windows. Minor scratches are fairly easy to fix yourself. However, you may need a professional service to fix larger scratches or cracks.
How To Remove Scratches From Car Glass Windows?
There are several ways to remove scratches from your car windows. First, you’ll need to determine how deep the scratch is to find the best method to fix it. Here are a few different ways to remove scratches on your car windows.
Toothpaste and Baking Soda
Many people have these two common ingredients lying around the house. Together they make a decent window polish. This method is fantastic for superficial surface scratches.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- Non-gel, white toothpaste
- Baking Soda
- A microfiber or non-abrasive cloth
Here’s How You Do It:
- Clean and dry the surface with a non-abrasive cloth.
- Mix the toothpaste with equal parts baking soda and water until it forms a paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected area with a non-abrasive cloth using small circular motions for about 30 seconds.
- Wipe off any excess paste to see if the scratch is polished sufficiently.
- Repeat as necessary.
Acrylic Scratch Remover
This method is one of the easiest and quickest ways to fix minor scratches on the windows of your car. You can find acrylic scratch remover in most automotive parts stores.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- Acrylic scratch remover.
- A non-abrasive or cotton cloth.
Here’s How You Do It:
- Apply a small amount of the solution to a non-abrasive cloth.
- Rub the solution on the affected area using circular motions for about 60 seconds.
- Let the solution sit for about 30 minutes.
- Wipe off any excess solution and clean the area with a non-abrasive cloth.
Clear Nail Polish
Clear nail polish can be a fantastic tool for minor scrapes and scratches on many appliances, cars included. Remember that nail polish will not “fix” the scratch, more like cover it up. However, for minor scrapes or scratches, it can be enough.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- Clear nail polish
Here’s How You Do It:
- Apply a small amount of clear nail polish to the scratch
- Let the nail polish dry.
- Buff out any roughness where necessary.
Glass Repair Kit
Glass repair kits can be a fantastic option if the scratch is deeper than surface level but not deep enough to require a new window. You can buy glass repair kits online or at most automotive parts stores.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- Glass repair kit.
Here’s How You Do It:
- Apply the compound included in the kit to the affected area.
- Let that sit for about 30 minutes.
- Clean the area with a non-abrasive cloth to remove any excess.
Autoglass Scratch Repair Cost
Glass repair costs will vary depending on your location and the make and model of your car. However, most minor crack repairs can cost between $50-100.
For more severe cracks, you may need to replace the window entirely. Window replacement costs will depend on the model of your car and which window is damaged.
Windshield replacements could cost more than other windows. Most window replacements can cost upwards of $250.
Best Glass Scratch Repair Kit
Check out these options for glass repair kits:
Glass Polish Windscreen Repair Kit
This kit includes a glass polishing compound, a glass cleaning cloth, a 3” polishing pad drill attachment, and two replacement pads for the drill bit. This kit also includes a step-by-step instruction booklet on how to complete the repair.
Rain-X Windshield Repair Kit
This kit includes everything you need to repair minor cracks or scratches, like an advanced glass repairing compound, tools for application, and an easy-to-read sheet of instructions on how to complete the repair.
