I think I just screwed up my windshield...

[spike]

Hey all, I have a 1999 camry with the original windshield, and the glass had some swirls and scratches on it, so I wanted to correct this. So, I applied Megs Ultimate Compound on it (I read somewhere that this could be done to polish glass) by hand, and now I have swirls all over the windshield!! The glass looks clean, but in the sun you can see all of the swirls I put there. I am very upset about it. Is there any way I can fix my stupid mistake? Tried DG Nu Glass, but didn't remove the swirls. I'm getting a flex polisher for Christmas, and I need recommendations on what to use. The flex kit I'm getting is with the Wolfgang line of products. Can any of these products be used to fix my problem? Will anything like Aquapel or Klasse AIO hide the swirls better? PLEASE HELP!!

 

[smokin' mark]

PB2.5 followed by PB1 has worked for me, but you have to work them both very slowly. Even then it was an enormous amount of work.

 

[Rsurfer]

Although I have not used them... they do make pads for glass polishing. Do a search and they may just work for you.

 

[Bunky]

We all like a reason to use the tools but it may be easier to just replace the windshield. Safelite provides quotes online.

 

[CEE DOG]

Sorry for your misfortune. If you call safelite google their competitors and call 2 others as well. The big companies that do windshield replacement will drop their prices if you tell them you found a better deal they will at least match it.
Not sure how bad the scratches are but would cerium fix it? Don't know anything about cerium myself but remember seeing it mentioned in the forums.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Hey all, I have a 1999 Camry with the original windshield, and the glass had some swirls and scratches on it, so I wanted to correct this.

So, I applied Megs Ultimate Compound on it (I read somewhere that this could be done to polish glass) by hand, and now I have swirls all over the windshield!!

First, how did the original swirls and scratches get into the glass?

Second, are you sure the UC did the scratching? The reason I ask is because I've tried UC on glass and it never scratched the glass? I applied by hand, with a foam pad on a rotary buffer and with a wool pad on a rotary buffer and nada, zilch no scratches.


For the recored, I've NEVER recommended using any of the SMAT products for polishing glass, they're not made to polish glass and there's no official recommendation to use them on glass.

Still, I"m like most of you and like to test and experiment so I tried it just to see if the SMAT, Super Micro Abrasive Technology would work to,

• Remove scum off the surface - Topical
• Remove scratches in the glass - Below Surface Defects

I found they were not good at either of these procedures as compared to other products on the market.


Let me know about my first two questions...

 

[frosty]

Hey all, I have a 1999 camry with the original windshield, and the glass had some swirls and scratches on it, so I wanted to correct this. So, I applied Megs Ultimate Compound on it (I read somewhere that this could be done to polish glass) by hand, and now I have swirls all over the windshield!! The glass looks clean, but in the sun you can see all of the swirls I put there. I am very upset about it. Is there any way I can fix my stupid mistake? Tried DG Nu Glass, but didn't remove the swirls. I'm getting a flex polisher for Christmas, and I need recommendations on what to use. The flex kit I'm getting is with the Wolfgang line of products. Can any of these products be used to fix my problem? Will anything like Aquapel or Klasse AIO hide the swirls better? PLEASE HELP!!

If worse case is replacing it, might as well exhaust some avenues and try to get them out. Ultimate isn't a finish product and my very limited experience, the compounds you are going to have to follow up with some kind of finishing product to remove all of the defects, whether you're working on clear coat, head lights and I would imagine glass.

This week I've experimented on junk panels & headlights. Using sand paper and compounds. Some of the things I did I would have sworn would never come out but with some patience and trial and error I got the things out in every case. Granted I haven't worked with glass yet. If I had a piece, I'd do some testing for you.

If I used the Ultimate compound, I would suggest you trying the Meg's #205 or possibly the swirl x if you want to run out and grab some today and try it with a LC CCS White pad. Unfortunately I can't tell you what speed to use without experience but I personally would try in the 1200 to 1500 RPM range with my Flex 3403. Hopefully somebody else can chime in on the speed for the machine you'll be getting.

Also, whatever you're trying, I would suggest taping off a small section, say the lower or upper left side of the windshield and just concentrate on correcting the problem there until you find a solution instead of doing the entire windshield all at once.

Better yet, maybe call a glass place or find somewhere to get a small test piece of glass. Heck you may can get some glass at a Lowe's or Home Depot.

Lay it down on cardboard with some soft towels etc so it doesn't break from the pressure and the bottom side doesn't scratch. Actually a mirror might work as well and you don't have to worry about scratching the side laying down.

And then reproduce your problem with the Ultimate Compound and then try Meg's #205 or the PB's products somebody else suggested. Other products I've tried would be the Menzerna's Super Finish.

Finally, if you're in a hurry, call AG and select the support option and speak with somebody there. They're extremely helpful and can probably set you up with a product and description of how to use it to at least get you started.

 

[frosty]

First, how did the original swirls and scratches get into the glass?

Second, are you sure the UC did the scratching? The reason I ask is because I've tried UC on glass and it never scratched the glass? I applied by hand, with a foam pad on a rotary buffer and with a wool pad on a rotary buffer and nada, zilch no scratches.


For the recored, I've NEVER recommended using any of the SMAT products for polishing glass, they're not made to polish glass and there's no official recommendation to use them on glass.

Still, I"m like most of you and like to test and experiment so I tried it just to see if the SMAT, Super Micro Abrasive Technology would work to,

• Remove scum off the surface - Topical
• Remove scratches in the glass - Below Surface Defects

I found they were not good at either of these procedures as compared to other products on the market.


Let me know about my first two questions...

We must have posted at the same time. Good catch about the scratches possibly already being there. I made the assumption in my previous post that they weren't.

Mike since you've tested this, what about the possibility as you mentioned the scratches already being there and the some of the compound has filled in the scratches causing a different reflection of light or something which is making them look different and more noticeable.

If compound was just wiped off with a towel, that would be a possibility, no??

If so, what about doing an IPA wipe. 50/50 water, Rubbing alcohol. and make sure all the compound is completely removed from the windshield and at the very least it's back to where it was before the compound was applied???

 

[spike]

First, how did the original swirls and scratches get into the glass?

Second, are you sure the UC did the scratching? The reason I ask is because I've tried UC on glass and it never scratched the glass? I applied by hand, with a foam pad on a rotary buffer and with a wool pad on a rotary buffer and nada, zilch no scratches.


For the recored, I've NEVER recommended using any of the SMAT products for polishing glass, they're not made to polish glass and there's no official recommendation to use them on glass.

Still, I"m like most of you and like to test and experiment so I tried it just to see if the SMAT, Super Micro Abrasive Technology would work to,

• Remove scum off the surface - Topical
• Remove scratches in the glass - Below Surface Defects

I found they were not good at either of these procedures as compared to other products on the market.


Let me know about my first two questions...

Hi Mike,

Well, I'm not sure how the original scratches got in the glass because I inherited the car from my grandmother and I have no idea what she may have done to it...And I am definitely a newbie when it comes to this kind of thing. I believe the UC put the scratches there because there are more now than there were before, so I think I put them there. I applied the UC with a foam applicator pad by hand in little circles, and now I have lots of little swirls in the glass. Did my foam pad cause the scratches? I first clayed the glass with blue clay magic, then cleaned the glass really well with Megs NXT glass cleaner, then applied the UC with the foam pad, let it dry to a haze, then removed with a clean microfiber towel. Not sure how I introduced all the swirls with what I did, but some how I did.

I wish I had never tried to fix it to begin with!! But thank you for your help. I hope this is the information you needed. We are blessed here in the AG forum to have such a knowledgeable expert to help us newbies. Thank you!!

 

[Lasthope05]

I've used M105/wool on a rotary and have never had problems with scratches on the windshield. (m105 being much more abrasive)

Glass is very hard. I think the swirls were all ready there but filled in with road grim or whatever and when you polished with UC you removed the fillers. Also because of the fact that you are still new you probably never noticed it until now.

 

[smokin' mark]

I wish I had never tried to fix it to begin with!! But thank you for your help. I hope this is the information you needed. We are blessed here in the AG forum to have such a knowledgeable expert to help us newbies. Thank you!!

Try not to feel so bad brother. We all make mistakes. I burned the paint on my neighbor's Cadillac! A trip to the body shop fixed it pronto. He will never let me live that down as long as I live

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I believe the UC put the scratches there because there are more now than there were before, so I think I put them there. I applied the UC with a foam applicator pad by hand in little circles, and now I have lots of little swirls in the glass. Did my foam pad cause the scratches?

First none of my post should be considered to be challenging you, just want to to make that point.

Second, while I've never seen anything by Meguiar's or any detailing company scratch glass there's a first time for anything. My background of detailing cars in Oregon and Washington led me to polish a lot of glass in my life due to a huge water spot problem in places where it rains a lot. So I have tried a lot of different products on glass by hand and machine and I've just never seen anything scratch glass because it is a very hard material.

It's possible to remove the scratches by polishing with the right products, Diamondite offers a Glass polishing kit and it says,

These products and special applicators are designed to eliminate mild to moderate scratches and mineral etchings with zero risk to the glass.

Diamondite® Glass Repair System Kit for Machine Application

I have not used this kit as I have a brand new windshield in my classic Jimmy.


You can also do some research on this forum by clicking to the search function and typing in the word, cerium

Advanced Search Function


Note for best results with this kit or any kit you need a rotary buffer. If you don't have a rotary buffer you can get a cheapie at Harbor Freight or get a really nice one from AutoGeek here,

Car Buffers, Polishers and Pads

I first clayed the glass with blue clay magic, then cleaned the glass really well with Megs NXT glass cleaner, then applied the UC with the foam pad, let it dry to a haze, then removed with a clean microfiber towel.

Just to note, you never need to let a compound dry, it adds no benefit to any portion of the process.

Not sure how I introduced all the swirls with what I did, but some how I did.

It's a mystery. Have you tried re-washing the windshield really well using a wash mitt and some car wash soap? Is it possible it's some type of residue?

I've used M105/wool on a rotary and have never had problems with scratches on the windshield. (m105 being much more abrasive)

My experience also. Didn't actually have much luck with any of the SMAT product to remove gunky films off glass either. Will they work? Yes. Are they good at it? Not in my opinion, I used M04 for decades as the size of the abrasive is large and chunky and that's what works best for removing topical films off the surface of glass.

Glass is very hard. I think the swirls were all ready there but filled in with road grim or whatever and when you polished with UC you removed the fillers. Also because of the fact that you are still new you probably never noticed it until now.

Or the white colored UC filled in the swirls already there.

It's a mystery...

 

[spike]

Try not to feel so bad brother. We all make mistakes. I burned the paint on my neighbor's Cadillac! A trip to the body shop fixed it pronto. He will never let me live that down as long as I live

Thanks Mark. I really apprecaite your encouragement. So I'm driving the car, and I'm looking at the glass, and I'm seeing that it really doesn't look THAT bad, and that I was just freaking out a bit. But I do see the swirls in direct sunlight, and I'll probably see them more at night with the oncoming headlights...but I'm trying to look on the bright side: hey, my glass has never been cleaner!!! :laughing:

 

[spike]

First none of my post should be considered to be challenging you, just want to to make that point.

Second, while I've never seen anything by Meguiar's or any detailing company scratch glass there's a first time for anything. My background of detailing cars in Oregon and Washington led me to polish a lot of glass in my life due to a huge water spot problem in places where it rains a lot. So I have tried a lot of different products on glass by hand and machine and I've just never seen anything scratch glass because it is a very hard material.

It's possible to remove the scratches by polishing with the right products, Diamondite offers a Glass polishing kit and it says,



Diamondite® Glass Repair System Kit for Machine Application

I have not used this kit as I have a brand new windshield in my classic Jimmy.


You can also do some research on this forum by clicking to the search function and typing in the word, cerium

Advanced Search Function


Note for best results with this kit or any kit you need a rotary buffer. If you don't have a rotary buffer you can get a cheapie at Harbor Freight or get a really nice one from AutoGeek here,

Car Buffers, Polishers and Pads






Just to note, you never need to let a compound dry, it adds no benefit to any portion of the process.





It's a mystery. Have you tried re-washing the windshield really well using a wash mitt and some car wash soap? Is it possible it's some type of residue?




My experience also. Didn't actually have much luck with any of the SMAT product to remove gunky films off glass either. Will they work? Yes. Are they good at it? Not in my opinion, I used M04 for decades as the size of the abrasive is large and chunky and that's what works best for removing topical films off the surface of glass.



Or the white colored UC filled in the swirls already there.

It's a mystery...

Nice tips Mike. I've already learned so much from you here on the AG forum! And, like I said to Mark: I'm trying to look on the bright side: hey, my glass has never been cleaner!!! :laughing:

 

[T Riddle]

I use Griots Glass Polish and the LC glass cutting/polishing pads with awesome results. You should try that.

 

[Frank787]

I have used the Griot's Glass Polish with the foam pad that comes in the box of the porter cable and had fantastic results with removing scratches.

 

[spike]

I use Griots Glass Polish and the LC glass cutting/polishing pads with awesome results. You should try that.

I have used the Griot's Glass Polish with the foam pad that comes in the box of the porter cable and had fantastic results with removing scratches.

Thanks guys...I will try the polish. Nu Glass is great for water spots and stuff, but not for scratches. Hey, which kind of pad should I use from my new flex kit that I'm getting for Christmas? The CCS Orange 6.5 Inch Light Cutting Pad, or the CCS White 6.5 inch Polishing Pad?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Hey, which kind of pad should I use from my new flex kit that I'm getting for Christmas? The CCS Orange 6.5 Inch Light Cutting Pad, or the CCS White 6.5 inch Polishing Pad?

Are we still talking about working on glass or are we switching the topic over to car paint?

If it's car paint then get at least one of each so you'll be able to tackle serious correction and also light polishing.

 

[spike]

Are we still talking about working on glass or are we switching the topic over to car paint?

If it's car paint then get at least one of each so you'll be able to tackle serious correction and also light polishing.

The pads question was for the windshield. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[T Riddle]

The pads question was for the windshield. Sorry for the confusion!

LC makes pads dedicated to cutting and polishing glass....they are stiffer and you will need them to get the results your looking for.