Dealing with scratches on your windshield can be aggravating, and not only are they a nuisance, but windshield scratches can be dangerous if not taken care of. Often, these scratches appear seemingly out of thin air, and no matter how long you look for their cause, you will not find it.
Of course, you do not want your windshield to be full of scratches, which can be an ugly eyesore for all car owners. Now one or two scratches, most people will not even notice them. However, seldom is it that simple. Once one appears, plenty will show themselves in no time.
Wiper scratches can appear if your wiper blades are damaged, you will most likely hear that annoying screeching sound of the wiper blades across your windshield. This sound may indicate that damage has been done to the car’s glass. Wiper scratches can pose a serious threat for the driver as they can get in the way of the driver’s vision. So, it is crucial to learn how to remove wiper scratches from windshield.
How to Remove Wiper Scratches From Windshield
You will know when your wiper blades damage your windshield by the ear-piercing noise they make. Your wiper blades may not be able to glide smoothly and cause friction that damages the glass, the cause of this is putting on the wipers when there is no water on them, like accidentally turning them on when it is not raining. The friction is generally caused by small debris and dust particles while the blades move.
The damage to your windshield can also be caused if your wipers are worn out, causing scratches as they are designed to press against the glass firmly. So, the moving motion of the wiper blades could cause the metal part of the wipers to dig into your windshield. The metal can cause scratches and indentations across the surface of the glass the wipers can cover. Unfortunately, the surface area is right across the driver’s visual field.
So, it is essential to know how to clean the wiper scratches and clear your visual field properly. If your windshield remains unclear and full of scratches, you may be in danger of crashing your car.
Removing the scratches
You can try out many options to remove the windshield scratches. There are some natural remedies you can try out by making them easily in your kitchen. They are also pretty inexpensive and can be made by mixing ingredients that you already have in your house. You can try some of them, and if they are not working for you, you can always seek professional help.
However, it is always best to try and see if any DIY tricks work for you. Then you will not have to spend money on professional car service. If the scratches on your glass appear to be lighter, you can often remove them by polishing them. However, if they are deep scratches, you will need to get a polishing kit. Some of the most commonly used methods for removing scratches are the following.
Read more: How to Fix Scratched Windshield
Toothpaste and soda
If the wiper blade scratches are not very deep, you can try to fix them by mixing baking soda and toothpaste, two of the most common household items. It may sound unrealistic, but you can never know until you try. You should start by mixing the toothpaste and the baking soda in a bowl. After, you should spray your windshield with a cleaner to remove all the dirt and grime from the glass.
Make sure not to use gel toothpaste, and after adding a quarter of the white toothpaste to the bowl, add to it a teaspoon of the baking soda and ensure it is mixed properly. You can then apply it on the windshield gently with your finger, do not apply too much pressure. Go over the windshield with a soft cloth and respray the cleaner when you are done. If you still see scratches repeat the process until they are gone.
Acrylic nail polish
Besides using nail polish to make your fingernails look polished and neat, you can also put it to good use in protecting your windshield. Best of all, the process is simple and cheap. You have to take the clear acrylic nail polish and apply it to the scratches. After you apply it, wait for it to dry completely, then you can wipe off the excess with a microfiber cloth. This method also works only for surface level and not deep wiper scratches.
Use cerium oxide
Cerium oxide is an oxidized form of the rare metal cerium in a white-yellow powder. Cerium oxide is often included in professional car polishing kit formulas. The powder has excellent sealing properties, making it ideal for removing the scratches caused by your wiper blades.
You will need to make a paste using the cerium oxide and water, and it should be one part lukewarm water and two cerium oxide. You can adjust the mixture. If you are using it only for surface-level scratches, you can add more water before applying it.
But, if you are using it for more aggressive wiper scratches, less water will be ideal. Apply it with a powered drill machine. It will change into white crystal form when it is dry, giving the glass a fresh new look. Cerium oxide is considered to be one of the best ways to get rid of stubborn scratches.
Read more: How Often Should You Wax Your Car
Conclusion
There you have it, our quick and easy guide on how to remove wiper scratches from windshield. Whatever you decide to go with, make sure you follow the instructions thoroughly. You want to avoid adding more damage to your windshield. Most of the items needed for the repair are easily accessible. You likely even already have them in your cupboard.
However, if you do not feel comfortable doing your own repairs, or the wiper scratches are too deep into your glass. Feel free to contact a professional car service, and they will take care of the problem for you in no time.