Buffing out glass scratches

[RobinBHM]

Is this possible?

I've just had a call from a customer, we fitted 34 hardwood painted windows a few years age. They've just decorators in to give the outside it's first maintenance coat and the decorator has managed to scratch the glass with 240 grit abrasive on 22 out of of the 34 windows (and each window has up to 6 sashes).

To make things worse it is all georgian bar style with plant on dummy bar.

The decorator says he can buff out the scratches, I'm not convinced it can be done but maybe somebody on here could advise

cheers Robin

 

[KevM]

I've used Cerium oxide and a polishing pad to remove light scratching before - it worked surprisingly well, but I wouldn't want to do it for a large area, or around any obstructions.

Edited to add: Like this product from 3M, but you can buy small quantities quite cheaply from Ebay

 

[Myfordman]

They could try similar techniques as used for windscreens - a resin filler with the same refractive index as glass and then cut and polish out.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Ooohh ... best of luck to him.

 

[Woody2Shoes]

If they were my windows I wouldn't let that decorator anywhere near them again!

I've never tried anything like this but I imagine it would be very difficult to do without damaging the adjacent (fresh) paintwork!

Some kind of abrasive buffing compound and a buffing mop on a dremel might work. I suppose if the glass has any kind of surface finish (as many modern glass suppliers offer e.g. to improve thermal performance) this may never be the same again.

Sounds like a lot of tedious fiddly work for someone.

Cheers, W2S

 

[n0legs]

I'm afraid to say I doubt it will happen.
My BIL had an apprentice who accidentally sanded a rear screen on a Lotus Carlton with 320 grit. They tried from Farecla G3 to G10, pumice powder and watch makers glass polish. None worked satisfactorily, screen replacement was the only fix.
The painter is a dick, who sands near glass without masking or other protection.

 

[RobinBHM]

many thanks for the prompt replies, Its given me some useful info to discuss with my customer. He is having a meeting tomorrow morning with the decorator and wanted some advise.

Apparently the decorator had a labourer to prep the windows and where he sanded the glazing bead, the abrasive rubbed the glass and scratched it!

Cheers Robin

 

[Roughcut]

One avenue worth exploring might be to claim off the Decorators Liability Insurance for glass replacement.
But of course there's no guarantee they will pay out.

 

[blackrodd]

If it's not too late, I found this on utube , and the cerium is available on flea bay @ 50 grams for about a fiver, As Kevm mentioned.
It beggars belief, having a labourer rubbing down for painters, prep is the most important part, setting the standard of the finished job, unfortunately, this is what happen's
I don't need to tell you but try it out on some similar damaged glass first.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JErQ72NH4jA
Regards Rodders

 

[Graham Orm]

I've used jewelers rouge and a buffing mop before now. It works but takes ages on one scratch. He's had it. Re-glaze on the decorators insurance I reckon.

 

[iNewbie]

Micro-mesh was designed for removing scratches on aircraft glass - not sure what grit sizes you'd need though.

 

[RobinBHM]

Many thanks very useful info.

Rodders - thank you for the youtube link, it seems cerium oxide is good for glass polishing -also as per Kevm noted.

Graham - the production manager at our glaziers said the same thing -jewellers rouge works but is a slow process.

iNewbie -Ive not heard of micro mesh, I'll investigate, cheers.

The client has asked me for a site visit next week, he wants a quote for replacement of the glazing. He thinks there are 64 scratched double glazed units. The decorator is consulting with his insurer. I believe the labourer is no longer in his employ!

 

[RogerS]

Micro-mesh was designed for removing scratches on aircraft glass - not sure what grit sizes you'd need though.

No. Micro-mesh is only for acrylics. It does not work on glass.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

the labourer is consulting with his solicitor!!

 

[RobinBHM]

No win no fee no doubt

I wonder if the labourer was properly trained to do the prepping.. The paintwork was rubbed down with 240 grit which doesnt feel very rough at all. It is all to easy to be sanding next to glass and having the abrasive paper to be wrapped around one finger but with the excess left trailing over the glass.

Sadly 5 minutes of training would have prevented this situation. Its a good example of how we may assume there's no need to explain what is obvious to ourselves, but in fact its not obvious to someone else.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Very true Robin. I'm pretty sure that legally the decorator is liable, not the unskilled worker.

 

[Eric The Viking]

There are five words that apply to so many similar situations... "My contract is with you."

I don't think the victim has much choice but to sue (note that all insurance schemes compensate the insured person/business for losses resulting from claims - they don't compensate clients directly), because of the enormous cost involved in putting it right properly.

It sounds like it will be messy, protracted, and the victim probably won't recover the costs of putting it right. Horrid shame, but I guess you just have to choose your contractors really carefully (he said, having been caught in the past himself).

E.

 

[RobinBHM]

If I honest, I rather not be involved at all, its a pain sorting ones own snagging, unforeseen problems etc without having to deal with other peoples. We have a well set up system for cutting and applying dummy glazing bars in the factory, but theres not an easy way on site. The bars have to be removed from the glass, both sides, then the glazing beads have to be removed, deglaze and then put in new glass etc. Im tempted to price for all new beads and it should be possible to precut them in the factory.

 

[Graham Orm]

If I honest, I rather not be involved at all, its a pain sorting ones own snagging, unforeseen problems etc without having to deal with other peoples. We have a well set up system for cutting and applying dummy glazing bars in the factory, but theres not an easy way on site. The bars have to be removed from the glass, both sides, then the glazing beads have to be removed, deglaze and then put in new glass etc. Im tempted to price for all new beads and it should be possible to precut them in the factory.

Do that Robin. I'm sure I would, why should you struggle to save an insurance company money or to sort someone else's mess out? If your price is high enough you might dodge the job completely, an insurance company will insist on more than one quote.

Digressing a little. The real loser is the decorator, if he makes any claim at all his policy will rocket. I had a flat rented out which was up a steel staircase. The tenant fell down the first tier over his own stockpiled bin bags and whilst extremely drunk, and badly broke his arm. He claimed againts me saying it was too dark. There was a bulkhead light working perfectly well on a PIR and a street lamp right next to the thing. The insurers paid out without even consulting me (£22k). They said unless I fitted a second light they wouldn't insure me, I did, then when the premium came up it was more than double, almost making the place unviable. No other insurers I tried would cover me.

 

[blackrodd]

Very wise words above, I'd rather lose a customer than get involved in other peoples problems, and having bad feelings with others.
In my experience it can come back and bite you in the bum!
Regards Rodders