Deep Scratches In Glass

[miss_d_bus]

I've got some deep scratches that are about 5 inches on the glass of the front passenger door on the outside. I've taken the car up to Toyota and they have checked the door mechanism and cannot see any malfunction to the electric window. Since the lines are dead straight and vertical, they think a stone or two managed to get themselves stuck in the rubber and when the window goes down, it cut into the window. The funny thing is, I rarely open that window because as we all know, Toyota didn't give us a driver side swtich to open that window! I can count on my fingers the number of times that window has been opened. :censor:

Since its on the outside, it cannot be covered by warranty so it leaves me with a few choices; get it replaced which is about £120 including labour or try and polish it out.

Does anyone know of any way I can myself make the scratch not look as bad as it does now?

I would prefer not to spend too much or else I'd just replace the whole glass!

Thanks

[Chris81]

I'm pretty sure you can't polish out scratches on glass, perhaps only the finest ones, not ones you could describe as deep. You can get stuff called 'jewellers rouge' or special kits that attach to a drill but the concensus on these is that they never get rid of the scratch despite hours hard labour!

Try taking it to a different Toyota dealer for a second opinion.Something in the door could be causing it to scratch. The stone theory sounds weak to me especially if there are several scratches. Do you hear a scraping noise when winding the window up/down?

[miss_d_bus]

I'm pretty sure you can't polish out scratches on glass, perhaps only the finest ones, not ones you could describe as deep. You can get stuff called 'jewellers rouge' or special kits that attach to a drill but the concensus on these is that they never get rid of the scratch despite hours hard labour!

Try taking it to a different Toyota dealer for a second opinion.Something in the door could be causing it to scratch. The stone theory sounds weak to me especially if there are several scratches. Do you hear a scraping noise when winding the window up/down?

It is not that bad in that I do not have to look through the scratches when I drive but with a new car its annoying! I was suggested to try an autoglass place but its probably going to cost the same as getting it replaced probably.

I thought it was a bit weak too given that how would a couple of stones bounce into the rubber and make deep cuts and at the same time still not fall off until after they scratch the heck out of the glass!!?

Is it possible that it would be caused by an ice scrapper?

The next nearest Toyota garage is not that local so if it is done by me (without me being aware of it) then I will live with it.

Obviously if its not, then I won't be happy!!

Thanks

[Chris81]

An ice scraper can easily cause scratches but surely you can tell if the scratches are perfectly straight and vertical or if they're caused by a swipe with an ice scraper. Do they go right the way down to the rubber strip at the bottom of the window?

[flumpsfriend]

Why does Mr T always blame things like this on stones?

scatches on the window - stones in rubber seal

deep groove on the brake disks - stones trapped between the pad and disk

watch out you don't know where these stones are going to spring up next

[miss_d_bus]

It could be the ice scraper but it looks a bit deep for it and I think I would know (I hope!) if I was pressing so deep that I etched the window!

Without going out in the rain and looking at the window, from memory it looks pretty straight to me and quite long. I do not think it goes right to the bottom but then I've never usually putting the window to the bottom either.

Anyone would think I took my car offroad and drove it across gravel. It happened after driving down home from Suffolk to Kent, A12, M25 and M20 - are they particularly stony roads? I think not.

I got the to Suffolk quite happily and scratch free when the gritters were out in the snow!!

[ae102]

you can buy scratch removal kits for glass. look in screwfix under the abrasives section - use with drill and flexi drive. hope that helps.

[miss_d_bus]

you can buy scratch removal kits for glass. look in screwfix under the abrasives section - use with drill and flexi drive. hope that helps.

Thanks. I will have a look and see what they offer. A new Screwfix store opened recently nearby so thats handy!

[d4v1d sm4rt]

you can buy scratch removal kits for glass. look in screwfix under the abrasives section - use with drill and flexi drive. hope that helps.

Thanks. I will have a look and see what they offer. A new Screwfix store opened recently nearby so thats handy!

dear miss d bus

we polish scratches for a living and please be advised that you will not be able to do a diy job with a screwfix kit on deep scratches so save your money!

unfortunately we are in west london so it is difficult for us to come to kent. It is about £60 to £120 to do the job depending on the extent of the scratches. their proximity to the edge is important as well. if you would like to send some good quality macro images i can advise further. send a PM and i will give you the web address. in the meantime get a price for a new glass to be sure.

[T V O R]

If you are fully comprehensive then there will be no risk to your no claims if your window ‘inadvertently’ got broken when that hoodie tried to break in, if you catch my drift. Cheaper than all the quotes you’ve had ;)

[miss_d_bus]

If you are fully comprehensive then there will be no risk to your no claims if your window ‘inadvertently’ got broken when that hoodie tried to break in, if you catch my drift. Cheaper than all the quotes you’ve had ;)

Its actually about £120 as I recall to have the window replaced including labour and parts so I'm probably going to consider that rather than a repair because it will be good as new.

I currently have no money to sort it anyway so its being left for a while.

I'm not sure about the insurance fraud... I work at a school though and chances are if I park by the main school gate in the car park it will happen anyway if I leave my Wii games console on the seat!

I've got £100 access so really there's not much point in claiming anyway.