How do you take light scratches out of glass?

[Kendo]

I was cleaning some silicone glue from shower glass and used a too-rough Scotchbrite sort of pad. It left light scratches I'd like to polish out if possible. Any suggestions?

I don't usually miscalculate this badly, but you know... Reminds me of the saying, "Experience gained is in direct proportion to equipment ruined."

[BDA]

I'm surprised a Scotchbright type pad would scratch glass! A quick duck duck go search for "glass polish" (no quotes) pointed to this which seems like it's worth a try (https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/how-to-remove-scratches-from-glass/).

Good luck!

[Kendo]

It wasn't a kitchen pad, but a rough reddish colored one I bought for cleaning rusty metal. So, not a good choice

Thanks for the link. Brasso, that's interesting. When I was young my dad used Crest toothpaste for watch glass polishing. It has a slight tooth to it.

[BDA]

Toothpaste used to have abrasives in it but I'm not sure if it still does. It might be something to try until you get some Brasso.  I also thought fine compounding paste used for the clear coat on cars might be good too but then I came upon the Brasso article.

[4129R]

I would ask a glass shop what type of abrasive you would need to use to polish he scratches out.

Polishing with a mild abrasive is the only way that I know, but it's effectiveness depends on the depth of the scratches.

[EuropaTC]

There's quite a few windscreen scratch removal products on the market, that would be my first guess. Something like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsJQ4nDDT08&ab_channel=FocusedGarage

I think I've seen references to cerium oxide paste as well and a quick youtube search came up with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZJPPC1ak50&ab_channel=GlassPolishShop

[TurboFource]

I have used the original Crest on modern headlights to clean them up.

[dakazman]

  I used cerium oxide on many windows. Works well on even on deeper scratches but will fishbowl the glass .  You mix the powder into a paste and apply to a dense cotton buffing pad. Full instructions can be downloaded from site on picture. Aim your phone at the site .
  I can send you a capful or two of the powder, I purchased a pound which is plenty for my lifetime.
Dakazman

[Kendo]

Dakazman, thanks you. I'll take you up on that offer. Look for a PM.

Re the Brasso, it didn't do much for the scratches. But it did a great job of removing the hard water spots on the glass, really a clear improvement.

[dakazman]

 Packaged it up today, can’t wait to see the postal employees face when I tell it is a powdery substance 😂😂😂. I’ll keep you updated.
Dave

[EuropaTC]

Packaged it up today, can’t wait to see the postal employees face when I tell it is a powdery substance 😂😂😂. I’ll keep you updated.
Dave

don't worry, we'll all chip in to send you a cake with a file in it.....   

[dakazman]

   

 Dave