Semicircular scratches following the sweep of a windscreen wiper are usually caused when a damaged blade, trapped grit or exposed part of the wiper repeatedly moves across the glass. Once the cause has been fixed, the next question is whether the scratches can be polished out.
Can wiper scratches be removed?
Some windscreen scratches can be improved or removed by specialist glass polishing. The result depends on their depth, extent and position. A mark that looks light in a photograph can sometimes be deeper than expected, so each windscreen needs to be assessed on its own merits.
Why does the position matter?
A windscreen is viewed through at changing angles and distances. Any polishing has to be carefully controlled because excessive glass removal can create optical distortion. This is especially important where damage crosses the driver’s main field of vision.
For that reason, the objective is not to promise that every scratch can simply be polished away. The first step is deciding whether restoration is appropriate and what level of improvement can safely and realistically be achieved.
Can I use cerium oxide or a DIY polishing kit?
DIY kits are readily available, but windscreens are not a good place to learn glass polishing. Holding an abrasive in one spot, generating excessive heat or working too small an area can leave haze or lensing. Professional equipment and technique provide much greater control.
What if the damage is a chip rather than a scratch?
A stone chip is a different type of damage and uses a resin repair process rather than scratch polishing. See our guide to windscreen chip repair and our windscreen chip repair service for more information.
Get an initial assessment
If you have wiper marks or scratches on a windscreen, send photographs showing the complete windscreen plus close-ups of the damaged area through the contact page. Elite Glass Restoration can then advise whether the damage appears suitable for professional assessment.