Self-induced scratches on mirror glass with razor blade.

S

SayNoToPistons

New member
I was following Chemical Guy's online tutorial for cleaning glass, which involved a (new) razor blade. It worked just fine using a new razor (with holder) soapy water on the windows of my brand new CX-5. Though after using the razor on the mirrors, rinsing, and drying them off, I noticed marring on the glass surface. It is especially apparently in direct sunlight. The scratches cannot be felt., but can be seen. I followed the same regime for the windows using Klasse AIO and SG on the mirrors. Didn't help with the marring.

Is there anyway to correct the marrying I put into the glass surface of the mirrors?
 
Maybe the carpro glass polishing pads would be of some help along with the ceri glass polish.


Edit

Didn't see the mirror part.
 
Mirrors are not glass. Anything will scratch them, even 0000 steel wool.:(

I cleared mine with a hand polishing of Rain Clear Glass Scrub. It will take some elbow grease and time, but it worked for me.
 
Mr. Gloss said:
Mirrors are not glass. Anything will scratch them, even 0000 steel wool.:(

I cleared mine with a hand polishing of Rain Clear Glass Scrub. It will take some elbow grease and time, but it worked for me.
Click to expand...

yes sir. thats the issue. they ARE NOT GLASS but more like plastic. might be better off replacing them. i think they just sell the replacement mirror part.
 
That's unfortunate to hear... I would predict the mirror itself to be quite expensive to replace being that they are heated and have the BSM lighting.
 
That is to my surprise as well, especially being the renown "CHEMICAL GUYS", as I thought it was PROFESSIONAL ADVICE as their videos always state. It was also my mistake for not double checking on autopia...
 
The razor blade can be your friend of worst nightmare.
single_edge_razorblade.jpg


The angle of blade and lubrication are KEY! On GLASS: use a 45% angle, keep the blade edge level and flat and always lubricate in front. I recommend using Sprayway glass cleaner an spray in FRONT of the blade. Here is the trick so you do NOT instill scratches. ONLY slide the blade forward. When the pass is done lift the blade off the surface and back to the starting point, spray in front of the blade again. NEVER EVER go back and forth with a razor blade when you are cleaning a glass surface.
6191082246_4f719ea8ca_z.jpg


The art of removing fine scratches from glass and mirrors has been around for many many years. Fine scratches CAN be removed and repaired using a machine with jewelers rouge glass polish and a glass polishing felt pad. For many years the beveled edge on a mirror was done exclusively by hand. To bevel the edge, glass is ground away at an angle then polished back to clarity. This is nothing new.
beveled+mirror.jpg


Modern production glass beveling machines use a combination of diamond wheels, Resin wheels and felt wheels to grind and polish the edge of a sheet of glass (or mirror) as it rides on a track through the machine from right to left. Notice the three motors on the left of the machine. All three motors run felt wheels that operate in a rouge slurry. These felt wheels polish the matte finish left by the progressive resin wheels and leave a finished surface that has optical clarity.
oimg_GC00385072_CA00385077.jpg



Mr. Gloss said:
Mirrors are not glass. Anything will scratch them, even 0000 steel wool.:(
Click to expand...
To my knowledge automobile mirrors are glass. The type of glass and silvering process is unique to the automotive industry. To use a normal back silvered mirror (like you have in your bathroom) in an automobile is illegal due to blinding night time headlight glare. If you replace a mirror side, rear view etc. it must be a DOT "approved" or OEM replacement.

SayNoToPistons said:
That's unfortunate to hear... I would predict the mirror itself to be quite expensive to replace being that they are heated and have the BSM lighting.
Click to expand...
You are probably right although mass production does help reduce the cost. I'm sure the Parts Dept. will probably give you unhappy news.

Trouble said:
I don't know why anyone would recommend cleaning windows with a razor. Sorry you got served bad advice
Click to expand...

I would not suggest it. It is risky! The good news is...if the scratches are fine they can be polished out. Keep the felt pad wet, the surface cool and apply only slight pressure. Take your time.
 
I did this process on a 2010 toyota corolla a few weeks ago with great results. I guess I was very lucky, but I did not use a back in forth motion and I used alot of lubricate.
 
I was under the impression that it is glass, but not automotive glass. I'm not really sure the difference but now I am going to investigate.
 
Merlin said:
The razor blade can be your friend of worst nightmare.
single_edge_razorblade.jpg


The angle of blade and lubrication are KEY! On GLASS: use a 45% angle, keep the blade edge level and flat and always lubricate in front. I recommend using Sprayway glass cleaner an spray in FRONT of the blade. Here is the trick so you do NOT instill scratches. ONLY slide the blade forward. When the pass is done lift the blade off the surface and back to the starting point, spray in front of the blade again. NEVER EVER go back and forth with a razor blade when you are cleaning a glass surface.
6191082246_4f719ea8ca_z.jpg


The art of removing fine scratches from glass and mirrors has been around for many many years. Fine scratches CAN be removed and repaired using a machine with jewelers rouge glass polish and a glass polishing felt pad. For many years the beveled edge on a mirror was done exclusively by hand. To bevel the edge, glass is ground away at an angle then polished back to clarity. This is nothing new.
beveled+mirror.jpg


Modern production glass beveling machines use a combination of diamond wheels, Resin wheels and felt wheels to grind and polish the edge of a sheet of glass (or mirror) as it rides on a track through the machine from right to left. Notice the three motors on the left of the machine. All three motors run felt wheels that operate in a rouge slurry. These felt wheels polish the matte finish left by the progressive resin wheels and leave a finished surface that has optical clarity.
oimg_GC00385072_CA00385077.jpg




To my knowledge automobile mirrors are glass. The type of glass and silvering process is unique to the automotive industry. To use a normal back silvered mirror (like you have in your bathroom) in an automobile is illegal due to blinding night time headlight glare. If you replace a mirror side, rear view etc. it must be a DOT "approved" or OEM replacement.


You are probably right although mass production does help reduce the cost. I'm sure the Parts Dept. will probably give you unhappy news.



I would not suggest it. It is risky! The good news is...if the scratches are fine they can be polished out. Keep the felt pad wet, the surface cool and apply only slight pressure. Take your time.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the information. The scratches are VERY fine and can only be seen in direct sunlight. I will definitely try polishing the glass and hopefully the marring will come out.
 
My wife was complaining to me that *I* scratched the passenger mirror on her Explorer (when in doubt, blame the husband, huh ladies' ?). After looking at the mirror, I saw a whole nest of semi-vertical, relatively deep scratches on the 'glass' from about half way up the mirror to the top. I couldn't figure out what had made them, so I tried glass cleaner...nothing. Then I tried a light paint polish and I was able to remove about 98% of the markings.

A few days later, I happened to look at the mirror again, and some of the scratches had returned. I couldn't figure out what caused them because the car hadn't been driven and no one touches the car but me. I polished the new scratches out and just figured I had missed a few the first time around.

A while later, I hear this funny tapping/scratching sound coming from the driveway. I looked out the window and saw a flaming-red Cardinal attacking "itself" with claws and beak in the passenger mirror of her Explorer. It would land on the doorsill, then look in the mirror and start attacking. Then it would jump on top of the mirror, look around, then back on to the doorsill, attack the mirror and jump to the top again...this went on for several minutes before the bird flew away.

Needless to say, I went outside to look at the mirror and of course, there were a few new scratches in the "glass." Mystery solved...stupid bird! And I thought that POO was the only danger birds presented.

BTW, I also caught the feather head doing the same to MY mirror, but instead of just flying away, he left me a present dripping down the driver's door...stupid bird!

So If I can polish out highly visible avian attacks, you should be able to polish out your little razor blade faux-pas.
 
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