Hi,

Octavia Elegance, 2 l TDI, Hatchback 

The car was new three weeks ago and the other, frosty, morning I had cause to remove ice from the windscreen. I sprayed de-icer onto the screen and scraped the ice off with a plastic scraper.

 

I now notice that the scraper has left a series of scratch marks on the surface of the screen. I've used this method of de-icing on all of the other cars that I've had and have never come across this problem before? The scratches appear to be very shallow and only visible under certain lighting conditions.

 

Has anyone else had this trouble or does anyone know how to get rid of the scratches. I had the car 'Autobrite' treated when I bought it and wonder it this left some sort of, relatively, soft film on the windscreen. However, my last car was also 'Autobrite' treated and had no problem with windscreen scratches.

 

Thanks in anticipation.

G

Apologies folks - I've entered this topic twice and cant see how to remove it!

Edited 21 April, 201511 yr by BowsG

Did you use the scraper from the fuel cap lid? I lightly scratched my old VRS windscreen with a worn scraper then immediately bought a new one. I am not sure how to get the mark out. Someone might know of a product that will do it.

Apologies folks - I've entered this topic twice and cant see how to remove it!

All sorted.

I haven't had the same issue, but I haven't used the scraper in the fuel cap. I'm surprised you've scratched the screen with plastic. Was the screen dirty when you de-iced?

As for removing the scratches, I'm sure I've heard of polishing the glass in much the same way as you would polish paintwork. Maybe ask that in the car care/styling section?

A plastic scraper cannot scratch glass as it's much softer, what causes the scratches is the grit caught between the two.  Using a scraper is asking for trouble IMO.

When its cold, always wash your windscreen when parking. And only scrape the area that the wipers have cleaned. It really helps against scratches.

There are cerium oxide kits you can buy to machine Polish scratches from glass. I have one and it's pretty effective.

I have scratches on my passenger window. But as said, dirty window and using a scraper will do that. I will be de-icing with water from now on I think.

I hate using ice scrapers and rarely do. If my car is iced up I tend to start it outside my house and let it warm up naturally......I know only too well that opens up the prospect of a drive off theft which really isnt so clever but thankfully I live in a low crime area and sometimes needs must.....if its not that cold I will on occasion sit in the car whilst it de-ices. With the vastly improved warm up times on the O3 TDI's it actually doesnt take long at all.

I sometimes wish id gone for the heated screen but then you still have the issue with the side glass...also I dont much like the visibility distortion the wiring in the glass causes either.

The system in the Golf 7 is much cleverer.....it employs a heat reflective metallic film that reflects heat in summer and serves to heat the screen electrically when required. It deadens mobile signals though hence why it has to be taken with the advanced phone prep.

My vRS had light scratches on the windscreen when I purchased it.  A local car valeting company suggested that the best way to remove them was to 'accidentally' break the windscreen and claim on my insurance for a replacement!  I will try the product suggested in post #7.

Warm water

That's all you need

Never used a scraper or de-icer..never will

Modern windscreen glass is very easily scratched and chipped

Warm water

That's all you need

Never used a scraper or de-icer..never will

Modern windscreen glass is very easily scratched and chipped

+1 for the warm water, an hour old kettle is fine, yes itdoes take that long to get my **** together in mornings. 

+1 for the warm water, an hour old kettle is fine, yes itdoes take that long to get my **** together in mornings. 

 

I would not have the time for an hour old kettle !! I basically boild a half kettle and fill the rest from the cold tap, usually works out to tepid water, hey presto !!

I was aghast when I seemed to put a whole load of scratches ony windscreen soon after getting the car at the beginning of January.

However, as best I can tell they have all now gone. I think the garage had put some sort of coating or wax on the screen, and it was that which had scratched.

Be careful with warm / hot water on freezing glass. It can crack the glass due to rapid temperature change. Very luke warm would be most i would go.

Edited 21 April, 201511 yr by Reichter

Warm water..Yes..Not hot

40 years later..still no problems

Warm water..Yes..Not hot

40 years later..still no problems

Yes you said warm Chris.  I have used it for years as well and never had a problem.  Warm means warm not hot and not boiling.  Simple really but if you are out somewhere where you have no access to water warm or otherwise then have patience and sit with the engine on to de ice.  Most cars do it fairly quickly now.

 

Oh and never ever let me catch anyone rubbing the inside windows with their hands to demist them..  Wait until they have demisted or at lease use a cloth not greasy paws!

Warm water..Yes..Not hot

40 years later..still no problems

If it's that cold my car stays in the garage LOL.... But I do the same as you Chris on SWMBO's car. Only downside is you have to watch it doesn't freeze on your drive if it's really cold.

Ok, so now we have established that there is a right and wrong way to get ice off your glass. Does anyone have any tips for getting the scratch out/improved?? I had a small piece of gravel get dragged under my wiper Blade so have a nice arc across my windscreen. I heard brasso works.

It can be polished out and window companies or indeed some of our detailers on here should be able to do it.  I have certainly seen windscreen wiper marks polished out recently.  It does depend how bad it is obviously.

This has been suggested...but Ive never done it

There are cerium oxide kits you can buy to machine Polish scratches from glass. I have one and it's pretty effective.

Warm water..Yes..Not hot

40 years later..still no problems

Actually cold is meant to be better, and what I use because of the Mpemba effect

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpemba_effect

I have actually used bottled water from the car and it has been ok as long as you wipe the windows with your wipers immediately otherwise it just freezes on contact.  I usually turn the wipers on and pour the water on but I usually end up getting wet.

LOL....Thats happens with the Auto Wipers on the DS4 if I turn over the engine while Im doing it

Quite funny really

It can be polished out and window companies or indeed some of our detailers on here should be able to do it. I have certainly seen windscreen wiper marks polished out recently. It does depend how bad it is obviously.

I too have got some small scratches on the windscreen from dirt under the wipers, and have tried various window companies and detailers, and none of them are interested. I got the same reply from all of them, it would be easier and cheaper to have a new screen fitted!