I thought I remember seeing a video of Paul Dalton (Miracle Detail) using a power polisher to polish a winshield. Will this get rid of the pitting and small knicks? Was he using a special type of polish? Thought the glass might be to hard for this to work...

 

I've used a finishing polish with a finishing pad on glass before with great results.

I mostly use the combo to get rid of any hard water stains/windshields wiper markings (the half circle markings) and light pitting.

 

Wait, this gets rid of light pitting? Seriously?

My windshield is pitted so bad I can't drive into the sun...

 

I just treat it as I treat my paint. Wash, Clay, Polish, Wax.

 

+1 ^ works for me too

 

Great! Thanks!!

 

Damn I gotta try this soon. My windshield looks terrible from all the fwy driving in socal.

 

Basically polishing glass is like deep cleaning...Glass is much harder than paint. I doubt you'll remove pits. Take a look at the description of a polishing kit.

Glass Polishing Kits

Each disc will polish all of the glass on one vehicle. After use, rinse off the disc with water and allow to air dry. Discs can usually be used at least one more time before being discarded. Additional discs are available below.

Note: This system will remove films, over spray and contamination on top of the glass but can not remove pits, spots and scratches etched into the glass. Do not use on Lexan, Plexiglas or clear plastics.

Very Important: If using this kit with a dual-action polisher like the Porter Cable 7424, be sure the Backing Plate is very securely fastened to the polisher. If the backing plate were to unscrew during polishing the polisher could hit the windshield.

 

Glass Scratch / Rock Chip Removers

This glass polishing kit comprises one 2-inch diameter felt bob mounted on a ¼-inch shaft, with a tub of abrasive optical grade Cerium powder. This will remove glass scratches that you can’t feel with your fingernail (approximately 0.004") To remove scratches that you cannot feel with your fingernail, mark them on the inside of the glass with a crayon or a piece of tape. (Deeper scratches may not be possible to completely remove.)

Tape off glass surrounds with 3M Green Tape masking tape, as it’s water-resistant whereas the 3M Blue is not. Mix up a small quantity of the abrasive powder with some water to make wet slurry, and dip the flat end of the felt bob in it and use the fastest electric drill speed available, work the slurry up and down across the scratch until it is removed, keep the surface wet - do not allow the slurry to dry out, otherwise the glass will get hot - Caswell Inc. - Glass Polishing Kit

Note - Do not use an abrasive polish on Targa ‘glass’ tops as they are actually a plastic (Lexan) and an abrasive will remove the tint Suggested product- Plexus (BTI Chemicals Plexus® Glass Polish & Cleaner)

Glass Polishing Kit for Deep Scratches most glass polishers contain Cerium Oxide an optical polishing compound (belonging to the group of elements known as rare earth) all necessary precautions should be used with regard to the dust produced. Removes deep scratches from automotive glass and save the replacement costs, this abrasive system literally grinds away imperfections until scratches disappear, works best with a Rotary set at 1500-2000 RPM.

 

Is there anyone that does this? I would like to have it done but dont have the experience to try myself. Anyone in the Northern New jersey area?

 

The Glass Science Glass Scrub is a great way to hand polish the glass. It helps remove water marks and other builds ups. For $5.99 it's a great investment for any detailer to have it around. I use it every time I do a full detail.

 

I use the same glass polish I use on glass top stove. About every 6 month to get rid of the road etching. Won't do anything for serious dings.

 

will polishing/waxing get rid of the rainbow left by the wipers?

 

I've always waxed my windows, it provides the same results as Rain-X or similar products and seems to last longer.

Tried Power Lock sealant on the windows; but it never fully cured on the glass.

Is there anything besides Glass Science Rain Clear or Rain-X you'd recommend?

 

I really like 22ple VG1 Window Coating. I've personally tested it against competitor's glass coatings, and it provides the most hydrophobic surface by far... though it does not last as long as some others.

The product is a breeze to use... simply ensure the windows are perfectly clean by washing, claying, and then polishing. Then wipe the windows down with an IPA solution. Spread the coating onto the glass, then buff off.

Product Review: 22ple VG1 Perfect Vision Window Coat by Zach McGovern

You'll want to reapply every 4-6 months as needed, but you use very little product with each application, so the bottle will last quite a long time! Application takes just 20-30 minutes depending on how dirty your glass is to start with, so it is no big deal to reapply a couple of times each year.

Hope that helps!

Zach McGovern
Detailed Image Ask-A-Pro Blog Author
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