Current Classifieds

1978 ford pinto door striker (passenger side)
Date: 09/01/2017 11:58 am
WANTED: 1979 Bumper End Caps - Front and Rear
Date: 02/16/2019 10:46 am
Accelerator Pump Diaphram for 1978 Pinto
Date: 09/03/2018 08:58 am
Rear Bumper
Date: 07/26/2021 01:08 pm
Wanted 73 pinto squire wagon
Date: 05/09/2020 11:59 am
Crane Cam
Date: 02/26/2018 07:50 am
Various parts for 1980 Pony (good to N.O.S. condition
Date: 06/07/2018 01:45 am
1980 Ford Pinto Squire Wagon * All original 1 Owner *

Date: 09/15/2019 12:28 pm
Built 2.0
Date: 10/07/2018 05:27 pm
Needed, 2.0 or 2.3 motors
Date: 09/30/2018 07:47 pm
Brake rotors
Date: 03/24/2017 09:02 pm
1974 Pinto Inside Rear View Mirror & Brake Pedal Pad

Date: 02/18/2017 04:41 pm

Author Topic: Can minor windshield scratches be polished away?  (Read 1643 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Henrius

  • Pinto Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 162
  • FeedBack: +4/-0
  • Gender: Male
    • Three Pillars blog

  • Total Badges: 7
    Badges: (View All)
    Webmaster Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Signature Windows User Apple User Fifth year Anniversary
Can minor windshield scratches be polished away?
« on: January 20, 2014, 04:24:22 PM »
My 1973 Runabout has a windshield I really like, because it is tinted at the top. Only trouble is small scratches from something caught under a wiper blade.


Is there something I can use to polish out such scratches?


If not, are new replacement windshields still available?


Thanks!
1973 Pinto Runabout with upgraded 2.0 liter & 4 speed, and factory sunroof. My first car, now restored, and better than it was when it rolled off the assembly line!

Offline 74 PintoWagon

  • Pinto Sr. Master
  • ******
  • Posts: 3105
  • FeedBack: +540/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Windows User 1000 Posts
Re: Can minor windshield scratches be polished away?
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2014, 08:30:52 PM »
Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.

Offline Wittsend

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2496
  • FeedBack: +241/-0

  • Total Badges: 8
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Mobile User Topic Starter Poll Voter 1000 Posts Linux User Windows User Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Can minor windshield scratches be polished away?
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2014, 02:20:45 PM »
I tried Cerium Oxide which is regarded as able to remove scratches.   HOWEVER, the rule of thumb (minor pun intended) is if you can run your fingernail over a scratch - and feel it, it probably isn't coming out.

  I have a '64 Studebaker Daytona sedan that came with a cracked windshield.  The last Studebaker was manufactured in 1966 and the likelihood that anyone is still making replacement windshields is nil.  I searched for over two years looking for one.  Eventually I had to settle for a convertible windshield that required cutting about 3/8" out of the corners. The windshield also had a bull's-eye and numerous scratches. It cost me $100 and was 400 miles from my home.  Thankfully my son was in the area and delivered it to me.

Anyway, enough of my whining about vintage glass.  I used the Cerium Oxide with a buffing wheel attached to a Dremel.  Even after an hour working on a 2" long scratch it really didn't seem to make a difference. So, I'd say except for the finest of scratches I doubt you will get anything noticeable out.  Also be aware that removing a scratch means removing glass.  It is possible to create a depression that can distort your vision as well as leave a low spot the wiper can't clear.

BTW, given my issues with finding a Studebaker windshield, I invested $20 at a recent Pick Your Part 50% off sale to get a spare for the Pinto.

Tom

Offline rramjet

  • Pinto Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 120
  • FeedBack: +3/-0
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 1
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter
Re: Can minor windshield scratches be polished away?
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2014, 04:21:58 PM »
Had a new windshield put in my 73 Squire in October last year so they are still available.

Offline 74 PintoWagon

  • Pinto Sr. Master
  • ******
  • Posts: 3105
  • FeedBack: +540/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Windows User 1000 Posts
Re: Can minor windshield scratches be polished away?
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2014, 09:40:00 PM »
I didn't think it would really work on an actual scratch, maybe on a slight scuff it might..
Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.

Offline amc49

  • PCCA VIP
  • Pinto Master
  • ***
  • Posts: 1256
  • FeedBack: +242/-1
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 4
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Poll Voter Windows User 1000 Posts
Re: Can minor windshield scratches be polished away?
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2014, 06:41:44 PM »
To remove the scratch you must remove glass same as polishing plastic or other. You are asking for it there since the glass is heat tempered, any other stress you add risks cracking the glass as ANY scratch is a potential stress riser.