MachNU
01-10-2010, 01:46 PM
I dont mean by just wiping it off, I mean how to take the fade out of a window, clean off acid rain, and remove very light and fine scratches. Unlike headlights, taillights, and paint, you can not remove medium and heavy scratches in glass. Once their there, its done. Now acid rain, heavy water(mineral) spots/deposits on windows can be removed if you know what you are doing and have the right tools!
Now I did this on my Blazer that I am working on cleaning up, and the windows on this thing, where NEVER taken care of. One of the previous owners before me, either ran the rear wiper blade down to nothing, and keep using it, or had dirt under it and decided to use it. Granted when I first got this thing it looked like it had been used for mudding, so most likely they used the wiper to clean mud off the window while it was covered and scratched the living hell out of it!
Now these where taken with two different camera's so... :(
Now to start, you need some things like this. Good rotary buffer, wool cutting pad, and a good low grit compound.
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/7383/firstbuffbefore.jpg (http://img44.imageshack.us/i/firstbuffbefore.jpg/)
Have the window taped off, to protect from hitting the paint and burning the window seals.
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/6213/rearwindowtapedoff.jpg (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/rearwindowtapedoff.jpg/)
Unforently I did not take any pictures of the process and applying the compound, well because that is kinda the simple part, and anyone that can use a rotary, nows how to apply the compound, what amount(depends on condition of window), and every detailer has there own buff pattern they use. But for first time user's trying this, a simple up down left right pattern will suffice.
Now after, notice the pad has a slight dark tint to it, from all the things it cleaned off the window. Which yes both sides of the window where cleaned & clayed prior to doing this.
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/5620/1stpadafter.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/1stpadafter.jpg/)
Now second buff, using a nice simple polish, and a light cut polishing pad. Not always required but I do it, just to go that little bit further.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/807/2ndbuffbefore.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/2ndbuffbefore.jpg/)
Now the last buff, simple DA Polisher and a very fine polish, this was just to kinda finish down, and get that last little bit of cut and polish. Not really required but hey it did not hurt.
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/1637/thirdbuffbefore.jpg (http://img197.imageshack.us/i/thirdbuffbefore.jpg/)
Now after, pulled it outside and into the sun and this is the result after...Left side was buffed, right side untouched.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/8708/afterhalfandhalfoutside.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/afterhalfandhalfoutside.jpg/)
After. Notice the line just to the right of the shot.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/7996/afters.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/afters.jpg/)
Before
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6230/beforeir.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/i/beforeir.jpg/)
Again like I said, this is not meant to remove deep or medium scratches, because once their there, there not coming out. But this is good for getting light, fine scratches out and acid rain out.
Now I did this on my Blazer that I am working on cleaning up, and the windows on this thing, where NEVER taken care of. One of the previous owners before me, either ran the rear wiper blade down to nothing, and keep using it, or had dirt under it and decided to use it. Granted when I first got this thing it looked like it had been used for mudding, so most likely they used the wiper to clean mud off the window while it was covered and scratched the living hell out of it!
Now these where taken with two different camera's so... :(
Now to start, you need some things like this. Good rotary buffer, wool cutting pad, and a good low grit compound.
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/7383/firstbuffbefore.jpg (http://img44.imageshack.us/i/firstbuffbefore.jpg/)
Have the window taped off, to protect from hitting the paint and burning the window seals.
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/6213/rearwindowtapedoff.jpg (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/rearwindowtapedoff.jpg/)
Unforently I did not take any pictures of the process and applying the compound, well because that is kinda the simple part, and anyone that can use a rotary, nows how to apply the compound, what amount(depends on condition of window), and every detailer has there own buff pattern they use. But for first time user's trying this, a simple up down left right pattern will suffice.
Now after, notice the pad has a slight dark tint to it, from all the things it cleaned off the window. Which yes both sides of the window where cleaned & clayed prior to doing this.
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/5620/1stpadafter.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/1stpadafter.jpg/)
Now second buff, using a nice simple polish, and a light cut polishing pad. Not always required but I do it, just to go that little bit further.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/807/2ndbuffbefore.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/2ndbuffbefore.jpg/)
Now the last buff, simple DA Polisher and a very fine polish, this was just to kinda finish down, and get that last little bit of cut and polish. Not really required but hey it did not hurt.
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/1637/thirdbuffbefore.jpg (http://img197.imageshack.us/i/thirdbuffbefore.jpg/)
Now after, pulled it outside and into the sun and this is the result after...Left side was buffed, right side untouched.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/8708/afterhalfandhalfoutside.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/afterhalfandhalfoutside.jpg/)
After. Notice the line just to the right of the shot.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/7996/afters.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/afters.jpg/)
Before
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6230/beforeir.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/i/beforeir.jpg/)
Again like I said, this is not meant to remove deep or medium scratches, because once their there, there not coming out. But this is good for getting light, fine scratches out and acid rain out.