How to Remove Scratches From Glass

HH Handy Hint brasso glasses get scratches outFamily Handyman

Polish Glass Scratches Away with Brasso

In high school I had this friend who used to polish out his watch crystal scratches with Brasso brass polish. Turns out it makes a perfect glass scratch filler. Fast-forward 20 years. I installed a $1,800 patio door for a customer. The homeowner called me up the next day complaining about a 3-in. scratch right in the middle of the glass. Faced with replacing an expensive door panel, I was scrambling for alternatives when I recalled my friend and his obsession with his flawless watch face. An hour later—voila!—one happy customer, one scratch-free patio door and one very happy, sore-armed contractor.

Before attempting to polish away the glass scratch, clean the entire area. To buff out scratches in glass, put a dab of Brasso brass polish on a soft cloth and apply it in circular motions over the glass.

Required Materials for this Glass Scratch Removal Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

  • Brasso brass polish
  • Soft cotton cloth

remove scratches from glass clear nail polishShutterstock/pirtuss

Using Nail Polish on Scratches in Glass

You can buff out scratches in glass with a lot of different products. One of the slower methods is to use nail polish and even though it takes some time, this is one of the better scratch removing approaches. This process is great for removing scratches in mirrors.

Before attempting to remove the scratch in the glass, clean the entire area. Spread clear nail polish onto the scratch with the polish’s applicator brush. You don’t need to spread the clear nail polish all around the scratch. Let the nail polish set for an hour so the polish fills the glass scratch.

Come back to the scratch and wipe away the clear nail polish with nail polish remover or acetone on a microfiber cloth. Wipe until the polish, and glass scratch, is completely removed. The nail polish remover/acetone will give you a nice shine to the glass so there is no need to come back with glass cleaner.

Required Materials for this Glass Scratch Removal Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

  • Clear nail polish
  • Nail polish remover/Acetone
  • Microfiber cloth

remove scratches in glass with baking soda and waterShutterstock/Maderla

Remove Glass Scratches with Baking Soda

The third method to remove scratches from glass is to use baking soda and water. You essentially create your own glass polish from the two ingredients to remove the scratch.

As with all of our scratch removing methods, start by cleaning the glass so you don’t introduce extra debris into the scratch. Mix equal parts baking soda and water in a bowl and stir until you get a pudding-like paste. Rub the paste onto the scratch in a circular motion with a microfiber cloth. Wipe away the baking soda residue with a clear cloth and lukewarm water.

Required Materials for this Glass Scratch Removal Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Bowl
  • Microfiber cloth

About The Author