1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

scratches on rear hatch

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-12-03, 08:06 AM
  #1  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
1979silver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: portland,oregon
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
scratches on rear hatch

I took the louvers off the rear hatch after 24years. The clips that held them on gouged and scratched the glass along the edges. Are there any heavy duty glass polishes or other products that would buff out glass. I don't want to replace the hatch. The metal clips actually wore the glass down. Should I take it to a glass shop? Thanks for your help.
Old 12-12-03, 10:02 AM
  #2  
Full Member

 
French RX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why don't you want to replace the hatch? They should pretty cheap, and you can get one at a scrap yard (they are the same from 79 to 85, but you probably need one without the rear wiper)

I've never heard of a glass polish that wil remove scratches on glass.
Old 12-12-03, 10:14 AM
  #3  
Senior Member

 
Critoris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Da ATL
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I thought mine was scratched up and it ended up that they were calcium deposits. Some very mild steel wool might clean it up.
Old 12-12-03, 11:03 AM
  #4  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
bouis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: The South
Posts: 2,203
Received 572 Likes on 266 Posts
There's lots of glass polishing kits out there. I know that Eastwood sells one [or two really] for outrageously inflated prices. Shop around.
Old 12-12-03, 11:04 AM
  #5  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
bouis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: The South
Posts: 2,203
Received 572 Likes on 266 Posts
But really just about anything will work. If you can find a fine glass polishing kit, it may not have enough cutting power, but, believe it or not, turtle wax rubbing compound eats right through glass. =]

Edit: but it'll leave fine scratches (kinda like swirl marks), so don't use it unless you have a fine polishing kit to remove them.

Around here we have really nasty water that leaves hideous spots on glass that can't be removed through any other method so I have some experience with this

Last edited by bouis; 12-12-03 at 11:06 AM.
Old 12-12-03, 12:12 PM
  #6  
Rotary Freak

 
bliffle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: SF BayArea
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ordinary polishing compound from the auto store might do it. That's what's in those all-purpose cleaner-polisher bottles, like turtle wax. Just polishing compound and carnauba, which is tree sap.

B
Old 12-12-03, 12:55 PM
  #7  
My FSP Fiesta eats Jettas

 
Wankelguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,616
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
You need Cerium Oxide and a felt buff to polish glass properly. If the scratches are deep enough to hang up on a fingernail, there is nothing you can do. I have an extra hatch in good condition I'd sell pretty cheap if you want to drive down to the Eugene area and pick it up.
-Mike
Old 12-12-03, 01:22 PM
  #8  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
bouis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: The South
Posts: 2,203
Received 572 Likes on 266 Posts
Wankelguy you're wrong. I believe that rubbing compound can do it, but if it can't, Eastwood sells this kit:

http://www.eastwoodco.com/itemdy00.a...0030&Dep_Key1=

that can.
Old 12-12-03, 02:04 PM
  #9  
Ride 'n Style

 
Metallic_rock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have 2 spare hatches, a side window and a windshield.

the hatches are damned near perfect. FREE

the side window is perfect- $5.00

windshield is perfect - $20.00
Old 12-12-03, 09:49 PM
  #10  
My FSP Fiesta eats Jettas

 
Wankelguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,616
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally posted by bouis
Wankelguy you're wrong. I believe that rubbing compound can do it, but if it can't, Eastwood sells this kit:

http://www.eastwoodco.com/itemdy00.a...0030&Dep_Key1=

that can.

I have extensive experience polishing gemstones and similar materials using both silicon carbide and diamond abrasives and I can tell you that removing deep scratches from glass is difficult at best, even for someone with experience, and may well prove impossible for a neophyte.
Eastwood makes it sound pretty easy, but note their conspicuous use of the term "optical distortion".

Polishing out light surface imperfections like water marking and wiper streaking with cerium oxide and a felt buff (like the ones in the Eastwood kit pictured) is much more do-able, so I am more comfortable making that recommendation.

By the way, have you used this kit?
Old 12-12-03, 09:49 PM
  #11  
Junior Member

 
aratman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: albuquerque,nm
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I saw a show where they used a multistep process and finished with a Cerium oxide slury. When looking for the article I found this website: http://www.faceters.com/equipment/polishes.shtml that sells the stuff. I do not know anything about the site but hey it might help.
Old 12-12-03, 10:22 PM
  #12  
Senior Member

 
brianw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Hannibal MO
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd be interested in those louvers if you're getting rid of them.
Old 12-14-03, 03:17 PM
  #13  
Junior Member

 
stock79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Oregon
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I found a product called "glass scrub" by glass science. It is a cream cleanser you apply by hand, use a lot of eg and most water spots,rust,dulling and small scratches will polish out. If your windows have water spots,etching ect this product really makes them smooth and shiny, it almost looks like new glass.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 PM.