Found an ugly scratch on your glass? If the scratch is small, no bigger than your fingernail, you can make it disappear with simple home remedies like toothpaste or nail polish. Start by cleaning the glass, then use a microfiber cloth and your chosen glass cleaner to buff it, and your glass will look as good as new!
Steps
Buff with Toothpaste

Clean the glass. Use a clean cloth to wipe the glass, ensuring it becomes clear and free of dust. Let the glass dry before treating the scratch.

Moisten the microfiber cloth. Dampen a lint-free cloth under warm running water. Wring out the cloth so that no water drips from it.
- Any debris, including dirt or fabric fibers, left on the cloth can scratch the glass further and create uneven friction.

Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the cloth. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto the cloth using your pinky finger. Be careful with the amount of toothpaste you use. You can always add more if needed later.
- White toothpaste, not gel, especially with baking soda, is the best choice for removing scratches.

Rub the toothpaste onto the glass. Gently rub the toothpaste onto the scratched area in small circular motions for about 30 seconds.

Apply toothpaste again. Check the scratch. You may need to apply toothpaste multiple times to fade the scratch. Repeat the process, adding more toothpaste to the cloth and rubbing the scratch in small circles for 30 seconds each time.

Wipe the glass clean. Use a fresh, clean cloth and dampen it under running water. Wring out any excess water and gently wipe the glass to restore its shine.
- Do not press too hard when applying toothpaste to avoid pushing it deeper into the glass.
Buff with Baking Soda

Clean the glass. Use a microfiber cloth to avoid introducing dust into the scratch. Dampen the cloth with warm water and clean the glass as usual.

Mix water and baking soda in equal parts. Use a spoonful or less of each ingredient. It’s best to mix them in a bowl so you can crush any clumps of baking soda with a spoon. The resulting mixture should resemble a thick dough.

Apply the mixture to the cloth. Use a clean cloth for this step. For ease, you can wrap the cloth around your finger and dip it into the mixture. This way, you’ll collect just the right amount of paste.

Rub the paste onto the glass in circular motions. Apply the paste to the scratched area and buff the scratch by rubbing the cloth in small circular motions. Rub for up to 30 seconds, checking to see if the scratch has faded.

Rinse the glass. Clean or wipe the glass with a clean cloth. Dampen the cloth under warm running water and wipe the scratched area, making sure to remove all traces of baking soda.
Use Metal Polish

Wipe the glass clean. Dampen a microfiber cloth under warm running water. Wring out excess water so it’s not dripping. Use the damp cloth to wipe away dirt and allow the glass to dry.
- Metal polish works particularly well for polishing smooth surfaces like car windows.

Wrap the cloth around your finger. Choose a cloth that won’t leave fibers behind on the glass. You can also use cotton balls as an alternative.

Squeeze metal polish onto the cloth. Apply a small amount of polish to your finger wrapped with cloth or dip the cloth into the polish. Avoid overapplying as too much polish can cause additional scratches.
- Polishes containing cerium oxide work the fastest. Jewelry polish is also a good option, although it tends to be more expensive.

Rub the polish onto the scratch. Gently apply the polish to the scratch using a cloth, moving in small circular motions for about 30 seconds. The scratch will either fade or disappear completely. Do not add more polish, as this could damage the glass.

Wipe off the polish. Use a clean cloth dampened with warm water. Wipe the polished area to remove any remaining polish.
Use Nail Polish to Treat Individual Scratches

Clean the glass. Clean the glass as usual with a glass cleaner or a damp microfiber cloth. Make sure the surface is free of dust and allow it to dry.

Dip the brush into the nail polish. Only use clear nail polish to treat scratches on the glass. Dip the brush from the nail polish bottle into the polish, collecting a small amount to apply to the scratch.

Apply nail polish to the scratch. Use a brush to apply a thin layer of nail polish directly onto the scratch. Avoid touching the surrounding glass. As you apply, the nail polish will fill in the scratch, covering up visible imperfections.

Wait an hour for the polish to dry. Allow the nail polish to settle into the scratch. After an hour, return to clean off the polish.

Soak a microfiber cloth with nail polish remover. Gently pour nail polish remover onto the clean cloth. You only need a small amount to remove the polish.

Wipe the scratch with the cloth. Use the cloth with nail polish remover to gently wipe away the nail polish from the scratch. Once the polish is removed, your glass will look as good as new.
Tip
- In certain situations, you may need to ask someone else to hold the glass while you work on the scratch to prevent it from being dropped or cracked.
- This method is not suitable for glass that has a coating or thin film applied, such as some types of eyeglasses. You will need to remove the film using products like Armour Etch.
- If you're unsure, refer to the manufacturer's instructions or consult a professional glass worker.
Warning
- Do not rub over the scratches continuously. This can cause further damage to the glass.
- If the scratch is larger than the size of a fingernail, avoid using the methods mentioned above. Consider professional services for polishing or replacing the glass.
Things You Will Need
- Non-gel white toothpaste
- Baking soda or metal polishing cream
- Several clean, soft cloths
- Water
Method using nail polish:
- Clear nail polish
- Nail polish brush
- Nail polish remover
