How to Hide Scratch Marks on Glass

Minor scratches can be repaired.

Scratches on glass are unattractive and may make the item containing the glass less functional. Deep scratches in glass need to be professionally removed. However, if a scratch isn't very deep, you can often hide or remove the scratch using a compound that is slightly abrasive and a little elbow grease.

Things You'll Need

• Whitening toothpaste
• Cotton cloth
• Iron oxide
• Glycerin

Instructions

1. Clean the glass that has the scratch. Any dirt or other material on the glass when you polish it may further scratch the glass, making the situation worse.

2. Squirt a small amount of whitening toothpaste onto the glass. Using a soft cloth, begin rubbing the paste into the area of the glass that has the scratch using a circular motion.

3. After a short time, rinse off the paste and check to see if the scratch is gone. If not, try again. If the toothpaste doesn't seem to be working, try the slightly more abrasive paste made by mixing equal amounts of iron oxide, water and glycerin.

Tips & Warnings

• Other compounds also can work in the same way, including baking soda mixed with water to form a paste, vehicle cleaning wax and windshield water repellants.

• Because these are gentle cleaners, it may take some time to polish out the scratches, but you should check on the progress from time to time so you don't cause more damage. If these compounds do not work, you may need the services of a professional to remove the scratch.

• Using compounds that are too abrasive can result in more damage. Compounds to avoid include brass polish and Armor Etch.

• Using glass-polishing compound and a power buffer can help with deeper scratches, but if you can't support the glass well from underneath, the buffer can be too powerful and result in broken glass.

References

• Glasses Crafter: How to Remove Scratches on Eye Glasses
• The San Diego Union-Tribune: Scratches Can Be Buffed From Glass if Light Enough