Glass scratches

[AussiePhil]

Hi all,
My car has fine scratches on the rear windshield and long scratches at the bottom of one door window, from a rotary disc while rubbing back the door for respray.
I did remove a lot of them on the rear windshield and rear quarter window a couple of years ago with rotary abrasive discs and finished off with Cerium oxide, but I wasn't totally happy with the result, I still had less scratches on the back windshield and small dull spots, I needed to spend more time polishing with the Cerium oxide! One mistake I did trying out sanders was I try an orbital sander, big mistake, I then had little circular scratches!
The last couple of days ago I started removing scratches from the rear windshield, it is coming up ok but very slow!
You watch the YouTube videos all they do small patches as easy as, but over a larger area I'm struggling!
I'm using a 3" rotary kit off Ebay for grinding the scratches and then a hand block to get an even finish, and a Makita sander for polishing with felt pads with brown Cerium oxide! I may need the get a softer buffer sponge disc!
I intend to remove the door window from the door and separate from the window frame next week?
Maybe in should remove the rear window and work on it on a set of saw horses! I have removed the boot lid to make access easier.
Has anyone on the forum got some tips at all, different type buff disc, or a better glass paste or is white Cerium oxide better!
Anyone got experience!
Cheers Phil.

[AussiePhil]

Hey, this is an original photo Dec 2017. I used the Makita buffer after this photo,  the battery drill didn't work well, and this time I'm using less and wetter Cerium oxide!

[Cob427]

Hey Phil
Please keep us updated on how you go with the end result.
I need to do the same for the rear glass on my fastback.
Cheers

[AussiePhil]

Hey Cob,
Sure will, have you seen the price of new glass, in the US they're a dime a dozen!
A little bit different I suppose for a fastback!
Cheers Phil.

[AussiePhil]

Hi, does anyone know how to decode Carlite windows!
Camera shows up a lot of scratches!
Does the 6K mean its November 1966 and SUN-X mean tinted.
My car was built 16th November 1967 and dated 1968 sold on 26th January 1968.

[unilec5544]

This will give you the info you need.

http://anghelrestorations.com/uploads/3/5/1/2/35122002/glass_v1.1.pdf

[6t9m1]

6K decodes as October 1966 and SUN-X means tinted.

[AussiePhil]

Cheers guys!
Seems like if its dated 1966 it's not the original glass, not that worries me at all.
Spent another two hours yesterday polishing it and it's coming up nicely,  just have to spend more time around the edges to remove the dull finish.
The windshield was scratched all over like it came out of a scrap yard, so it was huge but needed and satisfying job!
The front windscreen has light wiper marks that shouldn't be a big job without sanding?
Light sanding and Cerium oxide appears to be good to remove light scratches, but you really need the correct pads and a good sander!
Cheers Phil.

[Cob427]

Hey Cob,
Sure will, have you seen the price of new glass, in the US they're a dime a dozen!
A little bit different I suppose for a fastback!
Cheers Phil.

Probably should have just put new glass in but I was trying to keep the original..

[Dizzy]

Find a good pro glass polisher in your area and take the glass to them. I just had the lH door window glass done - it had numerous scratches both sides and cost $300 to fix. Fantastic job and they retained the original stamp plus polished the stainless trim.

[Aussie-67]

I got new glass from these guys. The quality was great and had no fitment issues.  Cost is pretty good.

https://www.autoglasswarehouse.com.au/ford/mustang/1964-to-1966-2dr-fastback-green-glass/

[AussiePhil]

Hey Cob,
I do agree with dizzy, If you can find a professional glass specialist in your area the cost would be well worth it, considering buying all the pads, abrasive discs, cerium oxide and a good polisher if you don't already have one.
You may have to wait until your lock down is over, I hope you're safe and able get back to normal life as soon as possible!
In Bathurst we don't have many Auto glass specialists, in fact I did go to one in Bathurst and the lady behind the counter when I asked if they do glass (Cerium oxide) polishing her answer was no, it can't be done, Ignorance is bliss! I didn't argue that much, but I did say it can be done. She should have just said sorry no we don't.
What about those people with very rare historic cars, what do you think they do!
There is another one in town I may try, other than that I'll just take my time and do what little is left myself.
It is a very frustrating but satisfying job to do.
Cheers Phil.

[AussiePhil]

Hi all,
Just a an update on my glass scratches, all finished and great results!
When I used Cerium Oxide mixed to a paste I found it very messy.
Although the car was totally masked up the polishing wheel splashed a lot!
I found that if you mix the Cerium Oxide in some old Paint Cut & Polish I had it made it much cleaner with less clean up!
Hope this helps if your polishing your windows!
Cheers Phil.