Best Ways to deal with car windshield scratches

Getting a scratch on your car’s windshield is as annoying as much as it is dangerous. It is also a commonplace occurrence. A car windshield scratch can hinder the driver’s visibility and compromise passengers’ safety. So, it is imperative to resolve the problem quickly, especially when the scratches are minor. Once you’ve identified the cause of the scratch and how deep the damage is, you can figure out the best way to deal with it.

What is a Windshield Made of?

Windshields are made of laminated glass that offers the highest degree of safety against injuries and accidents. The laminated glass consists of three layers – a layer of vinyl between two sheets of glass — all stuck together under extreme heat and pressure in a specialized oven known as an autoclave. Because of this construction, only the outer layer of the windshield sustains damage (typically minor scratches) in the case of moderate impact. Such scratches cannot be fixed, the only permanent solution to scratches is getting a replacement of the windshield. There might be short term solutions available in the market which make false claims but in reality there is no long term fix for the scratches.

Why Does a Scratch on Your Windshield Deserve Attention?

Your vehicle’s front glass provides structural integrity to the car, and a damaged windshield can affect the car roof’s strength. A crack, scratch, or chip can bring the whole roof down in case of a collision or traffic mishap. And if you are driving with a cracked windshield unattended for a long time, it poses the danger of caving in in case of some heavy, even mild external impact. Car window glass repairing and replacement is also crucial because a small chip is just a disaster waiting to take place – it can spiral into a large and deep crack soon which only a replacement may suffice. Additionally, the car front glass also supports the appropriate and timely deployment of the front airbags; however, once damaged, its ability to do so correctly is affected, severely exposing the life of occupants to danger.

What Can Cause Scratches on Your Windshield?

There is a multitude of everyday things that can cause damage to a car's windshield.

Defective Wiper Blades

The surface of the windshield’s wiper blades, upon aging and neglect, can become hardened, causing scratches, especially when the glass is dry. The same can happen if there is a small object, like a pebble, trapped under the blades

Improper Cleaning

If you use a rough/dirty cloth to clean your windshield, scratches can appear on it now and then. Using a soft microfiber or cotton cloth is the best way for safe and proper cleaning.

Road Debris

Scratches are also caused by rocks and pebbles flying into your windshield off the road, especially when you are driving behind trucks and lorries as they trap-rocks on the road easily.

Damaged Ice Scrapers

If you live in a cold, snowy area, you may have to remove ice from your car windshield and windows from time to time. Tools like ice scrapers are made to protect the windshield, but if they become old and damaged, they can cause scratches.

Preventing Scratches

The first step in identifying a scratch is determining if it is a surface scratch or a deep scratch. A shallow surface scratch will feel smooth to touch when you run your finger across it. A deep scratch, though, will grow over time and may even need a complete car windshield replacement. You can arrest the speed at which the scratch grows at home, but the best course of action will be to seek professional help. However, the good news here is that you can easily prevent this from happening by employing a few safety measures beforehand. Here are some tips to keep the scratches at bay.

Wipers – The Most Important Tool for a Scratch-Free Windshield

Car wipers are easily the most taken-for-granted functionality in the car and must be given regular attention if you want a damage -free windshield. Ever got a pesky leaf stuck in your wipers that won’t budge. Well, just flick the wipers on, and you’ll get rid of them, right? Well, no. Running your wipers on a dry car windshield is a perfect recipe for disaster. An overnight park in the parking lot is enough for the dust and the dirt to settle on your windshield. As a result, if you run a dust-laden wiper over your car windshield, it may have the same effect as a reliable old sandpaper rub. That’s why you should always get your car windshield a little wet before wiper application. Moreover, wiper blades don’t last forever, unfortunately. A wiper’s rubber is exceptionally susceptible to becoming brittle and breaking down under the punishing Indian sun. So, if your wiper blades are in poor health, the metal brackets which house them can come in contact with your car windshield, resulting in a scratch-fest and rendering your windshield almost opaque. Hence, it would be best if you rid yourself of the wiper blades at the first sign of disintegration and get yourself a new one. They’re quite an inexpensive investment and play a significant role in your safety.

Top up your Wiper Fluids

One of the easiest ways to ensure a scratch-free windshield is to simply keep the wiper fluid reservoir filled at all times. A suitable wiper fluid plays a more significant role in windshield maintenance than you might expect. Also, a bottle of high-quality wiper fluid is relatively inexpensive and wouldn’t hurt you in the least if you had it stocked in your garage all year round. Also, for the sake of your wiper blades’ cleanliness and health, make sure your wiper fluid is checked regularly, preferably once per month. However, if you want to protect your windshield from scratches, remember to top it off whenever you are at the fuel station and follow these tips to give your car windshield and wipers some love that they deserve.

Use the Right Cloth and Right Cleaner

Scratches can also pop up on your car windshield through improper or insufficient cleaning of the glass. Therefore, to clean your windscreen correctly and without causing additional damage, use a soft microfiber cloth during wipe downs. Don’t forget to properly pre-rinse your car windshield nice and wet when you start cleaning it. Also, make sure to use a cleaner free of ammonia when cleaning your windscreen. Using an ammonia-based cleaner can dehydrate your car windshield‘s glass, causing discoloration and cracks.

Park Your Car the Right Way

Parking your car out in the open is bound to introduce your windshield to some foreign objects, such as leaves, debris, and a whole lot of dust. This exposure can lead to an excess of minor scratches on your windshield, which aren’t quite visible to the naked eye. These little scratches can develop into more prominent ones over time, ultimately leading to an unusable windshield and an un-drivable car. So, it’s better to park it in an enclosed space, preferably a garage, to protect your car's windshield from any gashes. Plus, as an added benefit, parking your car in a confined spot also helps regulate its internal temperature.

Get Small Scratches Fixed Right Away

If your car windshield is already adorned with some minor scratches, you must fix them immediately, lest they transform into more prominent, scarier scratches. It is recommended to repair it at a reputed car-care service since standard or sub-standard service will do more harm than good. Though a renowned service will cost you more, it will save you expenses in the long run. Before you start dealing with the scratch, clean your windshield with soap and warm water, unless there is a risk of the scratch expanding. Mark the area to be repaired with a dry-erase marker on the undamaged side.

How to Deal with Windshield Scratches

Professional Help

It is best to seek professional help in case of scratches on your windshield. In case of a deep crack, the windshield is completely replaced. The following steps are used to replace your windshield.

• Step 1: The black pieces holding your windshield in place, called the trim, are removed.
• Step 2: The windshield is lifted away with large suction cups.
• Step 3: Old urethane, dirt, and dust are cleaned out from the pinch weld and new urethane is applied to the edges.
• Step 4: The new windshield is lowered into the car with suction cups, held in place for some time, and allowed to dry.

How Can I Avoid Scratching my Windshield in the Future?

You can keep your windshield safe from harm by maintaining distance between your vehicle and large trucks driving in front of you. Parking in the shade can also keep your windshield strong as high temperatures cause the glass to expand and weaken over time. If you do end up scratching or chipping your car windshield, it’s best to fix it as soon as possible to avoid scratches snowballing into huge cracks. Regardless of the damage that your windshield has suffered, we help fix it with our 100+ service centres in 60+ cities. At AIS Windshield Experts, we provide professional support and on-the-spot windshield repair and replacement – you will be in and out of the store in no time. As India’s largest automotive glass repair and replacement network, we are your answer to reliable and world-class windshield crack repair services. Get in touch with us today to experience the speedy resolution of your windshield problems. Give us a call at our helpline number today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can windscreen scratches be removed?

The severity of the scratch will determine whether it can be removed.

Is toothpaste able to remove scratches from the windshield?

Do not use toothpaste to remove scratches from your windshield. It is designed for teeth, not glass, and can make the scratches worse.

How much does it cost to repair a scratched windshield?

The cost of replacing your scratched windshield can vary depending on the car model, make year, and severity of the damage. To get an exact quote, please contact your nearest AIS Windshield Experts service centre.

How to avoid scratches on the windscreen?

You can avoid scratches on the windscreen by checking wipers regularly, checking wiper fluids, and parking your car in an enclosed space.