How To Remove Scratches From Glass

Last Updated on September 18, 2021 by April

Have you ever wondered how to remove scratches from glass at home? It’s great to know how to maintain your beautiful glass objects so they can last for a long time. Read on to learn all about the different methods for repairing pesky scratches on everything from eyeglasses to your iPhone screen!

Glass is beautiful and timeless, and it’s just about everywhere you look. You can find glass in your furniture, kitchenware, mirrors, car windshields, the windows of your home, even something you wear every day to help you see better.

Unfortunately, glass is also delicate and vulnerable to scratches.

The good news is there are a few tricks you can try at home to remove scratches from glass. Just be aware that these methods may not work for deep scratches or cracks. In those cases, it’s best to consult a professional.

For a quick fix, here’s how to remove scratches from glass at home!

Table of Contents

How To Remove Scratches From Glass Using A Polishing Compound

The polishing compound method might be the most popular DIY method for removing scratches from glass. It works great for nearly every glass type, including eyeglasses and iPhones screens.

Once you have decided on your preferred type of polishing compound and gathered your supplies, you can follow these basic instructions to buff out the scratches in your glass object.

Supplies To Remove Scratches From Glass

If you’re using a polishing compound to remove scratches from glass, you will need the following supplies:

Polishing compound
1-2 lint-free cloths (microfiber works best)
Water

Polishing Compounds

Below, I’ll describe a few of the most popular types of polishing compounds.

Toothpaste

You’ll need a non-gel toothpaste to remove scratches from glass. Brands that contain baking soda will work best. Also note that you’ll want to avoid toothpaste brands that contain granules or microbeads, which can further damage glass.

When choosing a toothpaste to use as a polishing compound, look for a brand with a low RDA rating. RDA stands for Relative Dentin Abrasion, which ranks a toothpaste’s abrasiveness value. Such low RDA rated kinds of toothpaste include Colgate Regular and Arm & Hammer Dental Care.

Baking Soda

Another popular way to remove scratches is to use baking soda and water!

With this method, you’ll mix equal parts baking soda and water in a bowl and stir until the mixture becomes a paste. Baking soda is safe to use as a glass polish, as it has a low RDA rating and will not damage the glass.

Scratch Filler Kit

You can also purchase a scratch filler kit to remove scratches from glass. Most kits include everything you will need, such as a polishing compound and a soft cloth or two.

Typically, you should look for a kit that includes a polishing compound containing Cerium Oxide. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions closely and follow them carefully.

Car Wax

Strangely, vehicle wax such as Turtle Wax or Meguiar’s is also commonly used to remove scratches from glass.

What to Do

Clean glass well to remove any dust or debris and dry using a lint-free cloth.
Apply a small amount of polishing compound to the cloth and apply it to the scratch.
Buff in a circular motion for 30-40 seconds.
Wipe away excess compound with a damp cloth.
Rinse with lukewarm water, if needed.
Dry with a lint-free cloth or let air dry.
Repeat as needed.

How To Remove Scratches From Glass Using the Nail Polish Method

Alternatively, you can use clear nail polish to repair a scratch in glass!

This scratch removal method is a bit different from the toothpaste and baking soda methods in that it doesn’t require buffing or polishing. Clear nail polish allows for a more controlled application and fills in the grooves of the scratch.

I do not recommend this method for eyeglasses or iPhone screens.

What You’ll Need

Clear nail polish
A lint-free cloth (microfiber works best)
Nail polish remover

What To Do

Apply a small amount of clear nail polish using the included applicator brush.
Spread a thin layer over the entire scratch.
Let dry for about an hour (this allows the nail polish to cure into the grooves of the scratch).
Wipe away excess polish with a clean, dry cloth dipped in nail polish remover. This will dissolve any polish remaining on the surface of the glass.

How To Remove Scratches From Eyeglasses

You may not want to hear this right now, but the best way to keep your eyeglasses in tip-top shape is to prevent scratches in the first place.

Hear me out, because these tips for preventing eyeglass scratches can really come in handy. Then, I’ll share some tips for removing scratches from eyeglasses when the inevitable happens.

How To Prevent Scratches On Eyeglasses

Keep your eyeglasses protected by properly storing them when not in use.
The best-case scenario is to keep your eyeglasses stored in a hard case when you’re not wearing them. A soft eyeglass bag will not protect as well as a hard case, but it can help prevent scratches.
Clean your eyeglasses properly. For everyday cleaning, you should use a microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris. If you need a little more cleaning power, rinse your eyeglasses with lukewarm water, then use dishwashing liquid to gently clean the lens. Rinse again, then use a dry microfiber cloth to dry the lenses.
Handle your eyeglasses carefully by the arms of the frame. This reduces contact with the lenses themselves and helps to avoid transferring residue from your hands onto the lenses.

Options For Repairing Damaged Eyeglasses

Even the most careful eyeglass owner might get a scratch on their lenses.

If you do get a scratch, first and foremost, you should check the warranty on your eyeglasses. The company that manufactured the glasses may have a warranty or repair program.

With a typical warranty/repair program, the manufacturer will have you carefully package your glasses and ship them to their repair center. A technician will then examine your eyeglasses and determine how to repair them (they may replace the lenses). It is important to consult your warranty prior to trying any at-home repair method, because doing so may void the warranty on your eyeglasses.

If you do want to try a DIY method for removing scratches from eyeglasses, any of the polishing compound methods above will work. I do not recommend the nail polish method for eyeglasses, however, there is a similar method you can try instead: a glass etching substance.

How To Remove Scratches From Eyeglasses Using A Glass Etching Substance

For deeper eyeglass scratches, you can try a glass etching substance such as Armor Etch. You’ll want to wear disposable gloves to protect your hands when working with this substance.

What to Do

Use a cotton swab to apply the substance to the lens.
Apply enough to cover the surface of the glass (do not rub).
Let the formula sit for approximately five minutes.
Gently rinse with lukewarm water.
Once all the formula is rinsed off, use a microfiber cloth to dry the lenses.

How To Remove Scratches From A Car Windshield

You can definitely repair minor scratches and small chips from your car windshield yourself, but for big cracks, be sure to have it addressed by a professional.

One of the polishing compound methods I mentioned earlier will work for superficial scratches only.

A good trick to determine if scratches are superficial is to run your fingernail across the scratched glass. If your fingernail catches in a groove, you’ll want to use a designated windshield repair kit. If not, you can try buffing it out with your choice of polishing compound.

Using A Windshield Repair Kit

There are many windshield repair kits you can purchase to repair minor scratches and small chips on your windshield. The one made by Rain-X is good because it contains a Cerium Oxide compound and often includes enough substance to repair three scratches or chips.

Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions for the repair kit closely and follow their directions carefully. Before applying the compound, you’ll want to wash your windshield with soap and water, removing any dust or dirt, then dry with a microfiber cloth.

Windshield repair kits might include applicator devices designed to remove air to prevent bubbles when applying the compound. After dispensing resin to the crack or scratch, you’ll then apply curing strips and then let the resin cure in direct sunlight for 5-10 minutes.

If the resin is completely dry, scrape the hardened resin away using a razor blade held at a 90-degree angle.

After Removing Scratches from Glass

One last tip: If your glass looks foggy after using one of these methods, rub a small amount of nail polish remover over the surface of the glass with a clean, soft cloth.

Now you know how to remove scratches from glass! Have you tried any of these methods? How did it work for you?

How To Remove Scratches From Glass