Polishing glass with a DA

dsaint1

Has anyone any tips on how to do this with a DA? What pads/polish to use to take out some slight scratches from wiper blades?

dos29

dsaint1 wrote: »

Has anyone any tips on how to do this with a DA? What pads/polish to use to take out some slight scratches from wiper blades?

Currently trying to do this with Carpro Ceriglass and Rayon glass pad with a forced rotation DA.
Takes a lot of time/effort for the lighter scratches, but they are shifting. Not so confident the heavier stuff stuff will without at least a rotary.
Gonna take most of a day to find out I'd say.

dsaint1

Yep, I was thinking it would be hard work if at all even possible. Would be interested to see your results. The scratches aren't bad but just annoying so if I can improve them would be great.

dos29

dsaint1 wrote: »

Yep, I was thinking it would be hard work if at all even possible. Would be interested to see your results. The scratches aren't bad but just annoying so if I can improve them would be great.

If they're not too bad, you stand a good chance of significant improvement. I stupidly tried to get the last drop out of failing wipers and ended up with fairly bad scratching. Might end up using windscreen cover from insurance.
Been trying to take pictures but bloody hard to catch the right angles! I'll post what I can back here but might be a week or two before I get a chance to give it a real go.

dsaint1

Thanks man....I know it's be hard to get shots using a camera phone on glass but appreciate it if you can tell me how you get on.

Stallingrad

Can a a product like Scholl S20 be used or the finer Menzerna compounds (3800) on glass, or must it be a glass specific product?

MetzgerMeister

dsaint1 wrote: »

Has anyone any tips on how to do this with a DA? What pads/polish to use to take out some slight scratches from wiper blades?

You will need CarPro CeriGlass and a rayon polishing pad. I've been doing this for years with great results. Just know that when you do this you remove some of the hydrophobicity of the glass. You will need to apply a product such as Gtechniq G1 or G5 afterwards.

dos29 wrote: »

Currently trying to do this with Carpro Ceriglass and Rayon glass pad with a forced rotation DA.
Takes a lot of time/effort for the lighter scratches, but they are shifting. Not so confident the heavier stuff stuff will without at least a rotary.
Gonna take most of a day to find out I'd say.

The first time I did this was with a D/A. The scratches were so bad that when the sun hit the windscreen I literally couldn't see a thing. I had to raise my head above them to see properly. They were quite deep and there was a lot of them from dirty wipers before I bought the car.

It does take time but you're better off this way as there's less chance of causing damage. Just be patient and it will pay off.

Stallingrad wrote: »

Can a a product like Scholl S20 be used or the finer Menzerna compounds (3800) on glass, or must it be a glass specific product?

No, you need a polish specifically designed for glass which is why CeriGlass is ideal as it has cerium oxide in it. Glass is a LOT tougher than paint/lacquer therefore needs cerium oxide and a rayon pad which exerts more force compared to normal polishing pads.

dos29

Stallingrad wrote: »

Can a a product like Scholl S20 be used or the finer Menzerna compounds (3800) on glass, or must it be a glass specific product?

In line with what MetzgerMeister said, from what I've read, paint polishes will wear down too quickly on the much harder glass so risks damage/cracking from overheating I think?

Edit- Everyday's a school day! Just not aggressive enough so.

I'm very much a newbie though, so only have mostly theory rather than practice on any detailing. Bought some gear 2 years ago just before 2 kids came along, so this was the 2nd use of the DA, first only being to apply Autoglym SRP!
Still waiting for a chance to use Scholl S3 Gold and S40 on the paint.

MetzgerMeister

Normal polish and pads can be used on glass to shine it up but not to remove scratches.. I use a black Hexlogic finishing pad and Menzerna 3500 or 3800.

dsaint1

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

You will need CarPro CeriGlass and a rayon polishing pad. I've been doing this for years with great results. Just know that when you do this you remove some of the hydrophobicity of the glass. You will need to apply a product such as Gtechniq G1 or G5 afterwards.

Can I ask how do you use the DA while doing the polishing process. Do you put any pressure down/what speed etc? I have 900w in2Detailing polisher if that makes any difference. Cheers.

GSBellew

https://glasspolishshop.com/index.php?_route_=glass-restoration-kits

It can take a lot of time, but it's possible to get great results, if the scratches are very deep you risk creating depressions in the glass which cause optical distortion.

MetzgerMeister

dsaint1 wrote: »

Can I ask how do you use the DA while doing the polishing process. Do you put any pressure down/what speed etc? I have 900w in2Detailing polisher if that makes any difference. Cheers.

Only put down enough pressure to hold the polisher, let it do all the work. Speed 1 to spread the product, speed 5 max for scratch removal.

dsaint1

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Only put down enough pressure to hold the polisher, let it do all the work. Speed 1 to spread the product, speed 5 max for scratch removal.

Excellent, thank you

MetzgerMeister

Also, keep a spray bottle of water handy in case the polish dries out. Give it a squirt or 2 to get it going again rather than adding more polish.

Wailin

A good tutorial on polishing and protecting the windscreen. I plan on doing it this week once the ceriglass and rayon pad arrive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMi5PtyqUI8

MetzgerMeister

That’s Pantastic!

His channel is superb.

dsaint1

Wailin wrote: »

A good tutorial on polishing and protecting the windscreen. I plan on doing it this week once the ceriglass and rayon pad arrive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMi5PtyqUI8

Ordered mine too so will hopefully get it this week

kirving

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Only put down enough pressure to hold the polisher, let it do all the work. Speed 1 to spread the product, speed 5 max for scratch removal.

Do you think this would be of any benefit for micro stonechips on the windscreen?

Glass is pepperred with tiny marks, almost impossible to see in normal conditions, but very prominent in low sunlight.

Even if I could round the edges somewhat, it would likely minimise their reflectivenes.

MetzgerMeister

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Do you think this would be of any benefit for micro stonechips on the windscreen?

Glass is pepperred with tiny marks, almost impossible to see in normal conditions, but very prominent in low sunlight.

Even if I could round the edges somewhat, it would likely minimise their reflectivenes.

I don't know to be honest. I would hazard a guess that polishing won't make any difference apart from maybe rounding the edges.