Nobody likes to see scratched or cracked glass, but ignoring them won’t take you anywhere. But can glass be repaired? Absolutely! Repairing scratches and cracks are not that hard. But if you plan on ignoring these cracks and scratches, then it can rapidly break the entire glass item. And there are high chances of you or your family member getting hurt. So, we, Central Glass, have answered your query on–how to repair scratched or cracked glass.
Working time taken to repair scratched or cracked glass: 1 to 2 hours
Different Types of Glass Damage
Before diving headfirst into how you can repair cracked or scratched glass, let’s revisit the types of glass damage and understand why and how these damages occur.
1. Scratched glass
Scratches have 3 categories–
- Superficial scratches: These scratches are hard to see or are visible only from a certain angle. They are also hard to feel, so you can DIY repair them at home.
- Surface scratches: These scratches are more visible, and you can detect them with a fingernail. So, these scratches need a local glass repair professional to remove them.
- Sub-surface scratches: These scratches are deep, and you can easily feel them with your fingertips. Sub-surface scratches often lead to window cracking and severe breaks, so you must hire a glass professional.
Note: If severe damage occurs, you will 100% need a full replacement window.
2. Cracked glass
Now that you know, cracks are the byproduct of scratches. Let’s look at the type of glass cracks or breakage–
- Stress cracks: This is caused by differences in temperature. You can identify it with a ‘chip’ or ‘oyster’ on the glass’s edge.
- Impact breakage: This is caused by immediate impact against another surface. It can be identified by the distorted glass pattern or a line forming around the perimeter of the impact.
- Spontaneous breakage or tempered glass breakage: This rarely happens on its own and is caused by installation damage like chipped glass edges or nickel sulfide inclusions–Culprit? Rock in the glass, wanting to return to its natural size!
- Edge damage: Caused by a chip or nick during installation, which can be identified by spontaneous breakage.
How to Repair Scratched Glass?
Before jumping into the process of repairing scratched glass, there is one thing you must do! Assess the scratch. As mentioned earlier, you can only work on superficial scratches; anything severe must need professional help.
Let’s begin–
Method 1: Metal polish or Brasso brass polish
- The first step is to clean the glass surface using water and a microfiber cloth or paper towel. The trick on how to repair stained glass is in the microfiber cloth!
- Apply metal polish or brasso brass polish paste with a clean cloth to the scratched area.
- Now use a damp cloth to wipe, and voilà enjoy your scratch-free surface.
Method 2: Baking soda
- Start by cleaning the glass and ensuring you are not scratching the surface further.
- Now mix 50/50 parts of baking soda and water in a bowl and stir until you get a puddling-like paste.
- Now rub the paste onto the scratch in a circular motion with a microfiber cloth.
- Finally, wipe the baking soda residue with a clean cloth and lukewarm water.
Method 3: Glass polisher
- Choose a glass polisher with cerium oxide.
- If you do this step by hand, use a cleaning cloth to buff the glass polisher to scratch.
- If you do this step by machine, use an electric polisher on the lowest setting and buff the polisher to scratch.
- After completing buffing, wipe away the excess.
Method 4: Steel wool #000
A fine steel wood pad or steel wool #000 is an abrasive that polishes small scratches away.
- Use a new pad and gently buff it with scratch with the steel wood pad in a circular motion.
- Now periodically check to see the scratch.
- Finally, wipe the area with clean water and cloth.
Note: If you are doing these methods for a surface and subsurface scratch, it will NOT work, so hiring a professional glass repair service is your best choice.
How to Repair Cracked Glass?
If you are wondering whether cracked glass can be repaired, the answer is yes. There are different types of broken glass, some of which can be repaired, while others cannot be repaired.
Cracked glass that you can repair
- Single-pane glass
- Mirrors
- Glass tiles
- Sidelites
- Picture glass
- Kitchen glassware (some)
Cracked glass that you cannot repair
- Double-pane windows
- Microwave door
- Oven door
- Shower or tub glass
- Automotive glass
Let’s begin with the permanent fix for cracked glass–
Step 1: Preparation
Since you will be using harsh chemicals, always work in a well-ventilated area. When working with epoxy, ensure you have all your tools nearby. And choose only disposable tools like surfaces, gloves, and mixing sticks.
Step 2: Cleaning the glass
Before working on the cracked glass, separate the broken glass and clean the edge. Now clean the glass and let it dry.
Step 3: Preparation of two-part epoxy
Start by cutting both of the two-part epoxy cylinders. Open the cylinder nozzle and squirt the epoxy on a clean working surface like a paper plate.
The mixture is a 50/50 blend of hardener and resin. Now mix the epoxy with a wooden stick for 30 seconds. Once you have mixed it, you have 5 to 10 min to apply the proxy before it thickens and hardens.
Step 4: Use epoxy on the cracks
If you are using epoxy for the glass that has separated, then use the wooden stick. Now, daub the small amount of epoxy at the broken edges and firmly hold the two pieces. Let the proxy dry for about 5 min.
Step 5: Remove the excess proxy and polish the glass
Finally, if any proxy is falling out from the side of the crack, use a razor blade to remove it. You can use a drop of acetone on a dry rag to remove any excess proxy from the crack.
Now pour a few drops of glass cleaner on the rug and polish the glass. Polishing helps to remove the difference between the cracked area of the glass and the rest of the glass.
Temporary Fixes for Cracked Glass
Further, let’s look at the temporary fixes for cracked glass. It’s important to remember that quick fixes eventually need further attention. However, these temporary fixes can stop cracks from spreading and maintain the structural integrity of the window glass (until you save up for a permanent fix)!
1. Glass adhesive
This type of temporary fix is to repair vehicle windows. However, it’s a cost-effective option; you can also try this fix for your home!
Start by purchasing glass adhesives online. You can also buy it at the auto maintenance store. Then, follow the package instructions.
2. Nail polish or super glue
You can also use nail polish or glue to fix the cracked glass. Start by filling the cracks with nail polish or clear super glue.
You should apply a few layers, but let each layer dry before reapplying. While reapplying, wipe any excess polish after each application.
3. Plastic brace
This ‘quick-fix’ option applies to a window glass you must secure immediately. For this fix, take pieces of plastic, like a thick notebook cover, and tape them on both sides of the crack.
Remember: The plastic piece should be larger than the crack itself.
This fix will just be able to hold the objects so that the wind doesn’t let the glass piece inside your home.
4. Heavy-duty tape
The strong-hold tape, a.k.a. the heavy-duty tape allows you to hold the glass crack for a while. Just take one strip of masking tape and tape it on both sides of the window crack.
Remember: This fix is only enough to hold superficial cracks like stress cracks. Stress cracks occur due to low temperatures (i.e., due to glass expansion and contraction).
In case of deeper cracks, such as impact cracks (cracks due to flying objects hitting the glass), try doubling up the tape on both sides and tape a few inches beyond the gaps (on both ends!). This way, you can hold the glass for extended periods.
Note: Despite temporary fixes being more cost-effective than epoxy or professional repair, you WILL need to fix it permanently down the road.
Materials and Tools Needed to Fix Glass Damage Safely
Here is the list of materials and tools that you need to fix glass damage safely–
Tools
- Utility knife blade
- Nitrile gloves
- Mask
- Wooden craft stick
- Safety glasses
- Clamps for glass (optional)
- Heat gun
Materials
- Cardboard (optional)
- Glass repair kit
- Two-part epoxy for glass
- Painter’s tape
- Glass cleaner
- Microfiber cloth or Paper towel
- Resin
Repair Scratched Glasses in Oklahoma City with experts at Central Glass
Repairing a scratched glass totally depends on the amount of the scratch. If it’s a minor scratch, you can get away with buying DIY supplies at just $25 and removing the glass scratch.
However, hiring a local glass repair company is necessary if you’re dealing with deeper scratches. Hiring a professional and repairing deep scratches costs about $250 to $290. So call the experts at Central Glass to repair glass scratches in commercial or residential needs in OKC!
Conclusion
Hence, if you’re running short of time and are fixing cracked or scratched glass, try using the steps we’ve mentioned. If you still don’t know how to repair cracked or scratched glass, it’s best to call a professional.
