6 Ways to Remove Windshield Scratches (or Will Insurance Cover It?)

For your car’s windshield, clarity is key. Chips, cracks and knicks can obviously hamper visibility but windshield scratches can distort light, producing frustrating glare.

While just as aggravating, scratches on your windshield CAN be removed in most cases. Here’s why scratches on your windshield occur and how you can get rid of them on your own.

Table of Contents

Are Windshield Scratches Normal?

Scratches are among the most common types of windshield defects. In fact, it would be reasonable to assume that greater than 90-percent of windshields feature some form of scratches or surface etching. However, windshield scratches differ in severity, as well as their impact upon a motorist’s ability to see clearly.

While some windshield scratches are hardly noticeable and can only be observed under direct sunlight, others are glaringly obvious, if not downright distracting. The latter of these two types of scratches often present issues when attempting to navigate into direct sunlight, due to their tendency to cause substantial glare.

Windshield scratches are largely unavoidable, though particular measures can be taken to avoid windshield scratches to a certain degree. Much like chips and cracks caused by wayward airborne debris, windshield scratches go hand-in-hand with roadway travel.

What Causes Scratches on a Windshield?

The most common cause of windshield scratches is the sustained use of badly worn windshield wipers. As windshield wiper blades age (or an issue prevents your wipers from turning off), their rubber inserts begin to wear, and they make all sorts of noises.

If not replaced in a timely manner, a vehicle’s wiper blades can wear to the point of causing metal-to-glass contact. When this occurs, scratching comes as an immediate byproduct. Due to the repetitive motion of a wiper arm, these scratches only deepen with time.

Another common cause of windshield scratches is wiper use in dusty, sandy, or arid environments. Dust and sand both serve as abrasives. Therefore, a windshield covered in dust or sand is subject to scratching upon the activation of a vehicle’s wipers.

This tends to occur most commonly in situations where a vehicle’s windshield is not yet fully saturated with water before its wipers are placed in use.

Additionally, windshield scratches can occur as the byproduct of glancing blows from foreign material. Rocks thrown from a construction vehicle, falling overhead debris, and windswept material can all pose a risk to windshields, if presented at a certain angle.

Can a Scratch Become a Crack?

While a windshield scratch is not very likely to become a crack, it might appear as if the opposite is true, to the untrained eye. This stems from the fact that it can be difficult to distinguish between a scratch and a crack.

While scratches are little more than surface imperfections, cracks extend deeper into the windshield itself, thereby compromising its structural integrity.

If a minor windshield crack is misidentified, and deemed to be little more than a scratch, it can be somewhat bewildering to watch this crack over the course of time. As a result, one is often led to believe that a perceived scratch has turned into a crack, though in reality, an untreated crack has simply worsened in severity.

However, in a limited number of cases, deep scratches can actually spread. This occurs when a scratch is deep enough to compromise a windshield’s integrity. As a result, the ends of such scratches split outward with time, elongating over several weeks or months.

Will Insurance Cover a Scratched Windshield?

Whether or not your insurance company will cover the replacement of a scratched windshield is largely dependent upon the exact terms of your specific policy.

However, in many cases, a comprehensive or full-coverage automotive policy will cover the replacement of one scratched, chipped, or cracked windshield per year, without the risk of negatively impacting one’s premiums.

It is important to understand that windshield cracks will likely be evaluated at the sole discretion of your insurance provider. The way in which such a case would be handled is likely to depend upon the severity of the scratch, as well as its impact upon a driver’s field of view.

Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that more than one claim of this nature is declined from year to year, based upon various technicalities.

If in doubt, motorists are highly advised to contact their insurance provider, for additional insight into their coverage of windshield-related claims. This prevents any misunderstandings if the unfortunate does eventually take place.

Determining the Severity of Windshield Scratches

When dealing with windshield scratches, the first thing you should do is figure out just how severe the damage is. By doing this, you can determine the best course of action for repairing the scratch or if professional help is needed.

Take a look at the scratches on your windshield and notice if they’re only on the surface or if they’re deeper. If your fingernail catches on a scratch as it moves across it, you’re probably looking at a deep scratch. Surface scratches, on the other hand, will feel smooth to the touch.

In general, minor damage like surface scratches and small chips can usually be repaired with DIY methods or windshield repair kits. Deep scratches and cracks, however, often require professional attention.

How to Remove Scratches From a Windshield

In most cases, minor scratches can be removed from a windshield with relative ease. There are several different methods for completing such a task, with some being better suited to certain situations than others.

The following are a few of the most common ways to remove scratches from a windshield.

#1 – Polishing Compound

Most auto parts stores carry commercial-grade polishing compounds such as Meguiars Ultimate Compound, which work to remove windshield scratches in much the same way as toothpaste. However, these compounds tend to be somewhat more abrasive, and require attention to detail when being used.

For minor scratches, slightly less abrasive glass polishing compounds such as 3M or Griot’s Garage work great at restoring a windshield. Simply use a polishing pad or lint-free towel to apply with some pressure. This process can be repeated until the desired results are achieved.

#2 – Random Orbital Polisher

The same type of polisher and buffer used by auto detailers on your vehicle paint can also be used along with a mild polishing compound (see above) to remove scratches from a windshield. It works similarly as applying by hand but it’s much faster and requires less effort.

A good dual-action car polisher is much easier to use on a windshield as opposed to paint where working on an area too long can go right through the clearcoat and into the paint (or worse).

However, care still needs to be taken when using a polishing machine, as the prolonged application or excessive pressure can eventually burn or etch glass surfaces.

#3 – Buff With Toothpaste

Non-gel kinds of toothpaste function quite well as light-duty buffing compounds and can be used to resurface minor windshield scratches and knicks.

Prior to buffing, a windshield should be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Toothpaste can then be applied to a scratch with the use of a fiber cloth, and worked about in a circular motion. This will level the area around a scratch, providing an even, restored look.

#4 – Use A Windshield Repair Kit

Windshield repair kits can be purchased at almost any auto parts store, and work to seal a scratch from further degradation. Kits of this nature feature cerium-oxide buffing compounds, which react and bond to glass surfaces when applied.

Much like clear fingernail polish, this rubbing compound is used to fill and seal scratches at their source.

#5 – Seal With Clear Nail Polish

Clear nail polish is often used to seal minor scratches, in order to prevent them from worsening in the future. This nail polish is simply applied over the surface of a scratch, at which point it will begin to dry and harden.

Once fully cured, fingernail polish will serve as a semi-permanent filler and will keep dirt, grime, and water from eroding away at any scratch to which it is applied.

#6 – Professional Windshield Scratch Repair

If you have attempted unsuccessfully to remove scratches from your windshield with the above mentioned methods, or simply wish to get a second opinion, it is likely time to seek professional help.

Companies, such as Safelite, specialize in windshield repair/replacement, and can remedy even the most severe of concerns. Many companies of this nature render on-site service and can tend to your windshield while you are at work, or otherwise unavailable.

It also pays to check with your automotive insurance provider before contacting a glass repair professional, as such services might be covered under your current policy. This has the potential to save you both time and money, while mitigating safety concerns caused by distracting windshield defects.

Why Repairing Windshield Scratches Is Important

Let’s talk about why it’s actually really important to fix those pesky scratches.

For starters, windshield scratches can be dangerous. You might not realize it, but even small scratches can impact your visibility, especially when the sun or headlights hit them at certain angles. Reduced visibility can create a risky driving situation, putting you and your passengers in potential danger.

Aside from being a safety hazard, scratches on your windshield can also make your vehicle look like an eyesore. And who doesn’t want their ride to be both safe and stylish? Taking care of those scratches not only ensures a clear view of the road but also maintains the overall aesthetic of your car.

Now let’s talk about state vehicle inspections. Depending on where you live, having a damaged windshield might be a big no-no. Many states require your vehicle to pass an inspection, and one of the criteria they check is the condition of your windshield.

If your vehicle doesn’t meet the necessary standards, you might have to pay a re-inspection fee, or worse, you could face fines or other penalties. Repairing those scratches can save you time, money, and headaches when it comes to inspection time.

Can Windshield Scratches Be Prevented?

While there’s no guarantee you’ll ever get a scratch or crack on your windshield, there are a few things you can do to lessen the chance.

#1 – Keep Your Windshield Clean

Make it a habit to regularly clean the surface, removing any dirt, debris, or road grime. A clean windshield is less likely to develop scratches, as any small particles on the surface can act as an abrasive when force is applied to it, such as during wiper use.

#2 – Be Mindful of Road Debris

As you drive, try to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and avoid driving too close to construction sites or unpaved roads. This reduces the chance of pebbles and other debris from hitting your windshield, causing scratches or chips.

If you see truck after truck hauling gravel to and from that new nearby housing development, consider taking an alternate route, even if it’s a couple minutes slower.

#3 – Check Your Wiper Blades

Damaged wiper blades can also contribute to windshield scratches, and we’re talking deep scratches here. Check your wiper blades regularly to make sure the rubber or silicone material is not damaged or separating from the metal wiper blade frame. Failure to do so will cause the metal to scratch the glass every time you turn on your wipers.

It’s recommended to change your wiper blades every 12 months, or sooner if you notice they’re not effectively clearing your windshield.

Author
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Josh Boyd

Josh has worked as a full-time mechanic for over 12 years, with 6 ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications under his belt. He began his career as an automotive technician at local Toyota dealership and has since transitioned to specializing in diesel trucks and equipment.

2 Comments

Pilani says:
Nov 13, 2022 at 6:34 pm
I need to remove my wiper scratcher, how much does it cost, and which company professionally do that around Fourways, Centurion and Pretoria
1. Sean says:
  Nov 14, 2022 at 8:27 am
  Depending on how bad the scratches are, I might price out a replacement windshield instead. Many times this is preferred because it takes care of other imperfections as well. It’s amazing how bad a windshield can get after 20 years.

How to Remove Windshield Scratches (6 Methods That Work)