You’re driving along the highway, and you hear it. A smack, like something, just hit your windshield. Fortunately, it wasn’t a bird or an animal. Unfortunately, however, it was a fairly-big pebble from the road, leaving a good-sized scratch in the middle of your windshield. Although not too pressing, it kind of obstructs your view, so you want to get it fixed as soon as possible.
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If you don’t find out how to remove the windshield scratch, it can turn into a huge problem without you realizing it. After being exposed to the elements, like dirt, exposure to the sun, and certain weather conditions, the scratch can become filled with dirt, making it difficult or impossible to fix.
We will show you how to remove the windshield scratch, what to avoid when fixing your windshield, and the typical repair prices for fixing a scratch, chip, or completely broken windshield on your vehicle.
What To Avoid With A Windshield Scratch – How To Remove A Windshield Scratch
When looking at the best way to remove the windshield scratch, you need to know the steps to avoid that can only make this problem worse in your vehicle!
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Cover The Scratch in Packing Tape
First, you should cover the scratch in packing tape in order to prevent dirt from getting inside of the scratch and making it difficult to repair. Only clear packing tape should be used to prevent leaving marks and debris on your windshield.
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Avoid Washing the Car
Second, avoid washing the car, especially with cold water. If you are in an environment where it is consistently raining or in colder weather, we recommend leaving your car inside of your garage and not driving it until you remove the windshield scratch.
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Monitor the Internal Pressure
Third, you should monitor and take note of the internal pressure placed on the windshield. Since the windshield glass is tempered, any pressure from the inside of your car can cause the scratch to spread into a bigger crack easily.
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Don’t Touch the Glass
Avoid touching the glass, pushing on the scratch, and doing anything that can cause the chip to become a bigger issue – literally. Try and keep the glass in your vehicle in good condition – some old junk car glass is recyclable, motivating you to find out how to remove the windshield scratch.
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Don’t Put Any Glue on the Scratch
Fourth, don’t put any glue or adhesive substances into the scratch. Despite some remedies you might see online that are supposedly going to repair the scratch, this shouldn’t be done. Certain mixtures of solutions you might find are ineffective, making it very difficult to remove the windshield scratch.
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Repair the Scratch ASAP!
Lastly, try and repair your scratch as soon as possible after the windshield chip occurs. We know that life can get in the way, and you might have plans, but the sooner you get it fixed, the easier it will be for you and your wallet.
If you don’t remove the windshield scratch, it can burst into a series of tiny cracks or grow into one long crack across the span of your windshield. This will turn into a costly repair that is much more difficult and time-consuming to fix.
Positives of Using a Windshield Repair Kit
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Low-Priced Option
First, the cost of a windshield scratch repair kit is lower than taking your car to an auto body shop. Not only will they charge for the products used and the actual repair, mechanics charge for the cost of their labor. The window repair products are generally inexpensive and can help you easily remove the windshield scratch.
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Easy Labor
Second, repairing a windshield scratch is fairly easy in terms of car repair and maintenance on your vehicle. Compared to other internal parts of your car, like an engine or transmission system, the windshield is fairly straightforward. The typical windshield scratch repair kit you can purchase comes with everything you need, like epoxy and resin, curing strips, scraping tools, and plungers.
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Convenient
Third, the windshield scratch repair kits are a convenient solution. The process generally takes less than a few hours if you follow the directions and has a success rate of 90%. Even though you are guaranteed a fix when visiting a mechanic, the ease of doing this at your own home adds to the ease of finding how to remove the windshield scratch.
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Prevent Further Damage
Fourth, some windshield scratches can spread into longer spider cracks that can take up your entire windshield and cause a visual problem. Changes in temperature can exacerbate the issue – if you live in a temperate climate, then you should look into buying a windshield scratch repair kit as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Check for any scratches on the windshield of your car. Repairing a scratch on your windshield can cost $30-$60 if you take it to an auto body shop.
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Effective
Last, the products that you will find in a windshield repair kit are often just as effective as the tools that the mechanics or mobile windshield repairers use in their kits. By doing it yourself, you aren’t skimping on product quality, but just saving money on the process of learning to remove the windshield scratch.
Steps To Remove the Windshield Scratch – How To Remove A Windshield Scratch
If you decide to fix the windshield scratch yourself, you need to determine which windshield crack repair kit is the best for you. These kits can be found in most department stores in the auto parts section, and specified auto-stores like AutoZone.
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Prep the Scratch Area
The first thing you need to do is prep the windshield scratch and the windshield to begin the repair. Use the cleanser provided or an alcohol pad to clean the area thoroughly and get rid of any loose glass sitting around the center point of the scratch.
Now, hook the mirror up on the inside of the windshield. Center the mirror on the scratch you are repairing. This helps let you keep an eye on the windshield scratch, and being able to get the right field of vision.
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Form a Tight Seal
Center your bridge or tool in your kit directly over the scratch. This part is so you can create a seal over the area to help remove the windshield scratch.
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Insert the Resin
After you have created a seal around the scratch, insert 3-8 drops of resin into the injector area. Resin is a highly viscous substance that is made of organic compounds and is commonly used as glue to transfer stress between the fibers.
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Inject Force Into The Resin and Scratch
You have to use the injector to force the resin into the windshield scratch and the missing glass. After you do this, you should see it starting to clear up through the mirror you have hanging. Be sure to watch the process, and re-inject the resin when needed after taking breaks and releasing air. After this step, let the resin sit for about 5-10 minutes and wait.
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Fill in the Missing Glass
Although it may seem as if the repair is over, be sure not to skip this step. You need to fill in the main center portion of the scratch. The center spot is the area where the little sections of glass are missing. This step will provide the glass a smooth finish and a consistent feel with the rest of your windshield to fully remove the windshield scratch.
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Scrape Off the Excess Filler
Grab a scraper or razor blade and hold it securely. Scrape off the excess pit filler that you used, and leave only a little bit in the area where the glass was missing. If you have the tools, you can use a light polish to flush the area for a smooth feel.
Tips for Preventing Future Windshield Scratches – How to Remove A Windshield Scratch
To figure out how to remove the windshield scratch on your car, you need to know the methods for preventing future scratches, chips, or cracks on your windshield. This can help you see clearly and promote a clear field of vision while driving.
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Keep Your Windshield Clean
Although debris and dirt might not cause deep scratches on your windshield, they can certainly hinder your visibility. Debris that is not cleaned off the front windshield can leave scratches as your windshield wipers move over them to clear debris or clear rain from your field of view.
If you continue keeping your windshield clean, you can help reduce the chances of this happening and help find out how to remove the windshield scratch.
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Watch for Signs of Worn-Out Wipers
Worn-out and broken wipers are some of the main culprits causing window scratches. If you begin to realize that they are not working at the correct level and not clearing off debris and dirt, as usual, it can mean the lifespan of the windshield wipers has reached their end.
If the windshield wipers deteriorate too much, it can cause windshield scratches on the surface due to the excess rubbing on the metal surface.
Other signs of broken-down wipers is the wipers making loud noises against the windshield while driving at high speeds. If you notice loud sounds while driving at speeds above 50 miles per hour, this is a sign that the wipers are starting to deteriorate.
In addition, if you notice visual signs, like scratches, cracks, and chips, this is a clear sign that something is wrong with your windshield. If this is the case, you need to learn how to remove the windshield scratch.
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Top-Off Wiper Fluid
If you consistently use your windshield wipers without spraying the windshield, this can cause light scratches on your windshield from excess rubbing without proper lubrication. Keep in mind that dirt, dust, and debris are all small pebbles and rocks that can cause superficial damage if consistently rubbed across the front windshield.
If this is the case, you will need to look into the steps to learn how to remove the windshield scratch.
Windshield Repair Cost
The costs for the windshield repairs vary depending on the location, auto glass service provider, the extent of damage, and the severity of the damage. Typical prices typically range from between $60- and $100 for a singular chip on the glass, while fixing a longer windshield crack can cost over $125 depending on the size and depth.
- The average price to repair one chip in the front windshield is around $135, while repairing two chips increases the price to $164, and 3 chips increase the price to $189.
- Replacing the front windshield in most vehicles is around $360, while replacing the rear windshield is the same price.
- Replacing the driver-side front window is $339 and replacing the driver-side back window comes to around $330.
The Bottom Line – How To Remove A Windshield Scratch
As you can see, finding out how to remove the windshield scratch in your vehicle can help you save money instead of going to a local mechanic. If you notice that your windshield visibility is getting worse over time, you need to look into the steps of using a windshield repair kit to help remove the windshield scratch!
For car owners to know the correct steps of how to remove the windshield scratch, they need to know the signs and symptoms of a deteriorating windshield wiper. By recognizing these symptoms before they worsen, you can help prevent scratches from forming on your window due to small pieces of rubble, debris, and dirt.
Learning the steps of removing the windshield scratch by being aware of the proper functioning of your car is crucial information that every car owner should know! By following the proper maintenance schedule for your windshield, you can ensure that no dirt and debris builds up on your window – the most common culprit of the dreaded windshield scratches.