Automotive Glass Sanding and Polishing

Do Not Replace Glass, Recondition It


Did you know that there is a possibility to restore and polish glass? Instead of replacing the damaged side or back window of a car with a new and expensive one, you can recondition the glass with Mirka glass sanding solution. This will save both time and money. Mirka has a unique total solution for the sanding of several types of glass. The clear step-by-step process how to sand glass invented by Mirka is easy to follow all the way from cleaning, to sanding, to polishing.

With Mirka’s glass sanding and polishing solution you can:
  • Save time and costs
  • Be flexible
  • Get a high quality result
 
Mirka's sanding and polishing solution for refurbishing glass can be used within many industries, e.g., architectural, automotive and marine sectors. It is suitable for many different glass surfaces such as building facades, interior doors and stairs as well as windows on yachts, trains and other vehicle.

The smart solution for glass reconditioning

Recommendations on How to Sand Glass

We do not recommend this process on front-facing vehicle windshields due to the risk of optical refraction that is a safety factor when driving, but side windows and back windscreen can be refurbished. This will remove any chalk marks, dirt, and micro scratches.

With this solution, most types of automotive glass can be reconditioned. It is important to remember to keep track of the temperature of the glass. It can not exceed 70 ˚C or 158 ˚F especially on non-hardened glass due to the risk of cracking.

Determining the correct grit can be challenging, as it depends how deep the scratch is, but start with a fine grit and go towards coarse until you the scratch is reduced, rather than starting with a too coarse grit and spending more time on the job. Sanding glass removes material and the coarse grits remove more.

The fewer steps necessary to get the job done, the better. Otherwise, there is a risk of optical refraction. The polishing step takes longer than the sanding steps.

When sanding and polishing, keep the polisher flat to surface, this will give a better and smoother finish.

Clean in between the steps to avoid dust from previous steps causing any scratches.

Throughout the entire process, do not touch the glass with bare fingers, as transferred grease will affect the result and in worst case fingerprints will be visible. Use gloves!

Always use a dust protection mask. Please check local legislation about concentrations known to be hazardous.

Take sufficient time over each sanding step, it is all about giving each step the time it needs.

Before you start

How to Refurbish Glass for a Perfect Finish

  • Always start the process by cleaning the surface using window cleaning liquid. Clean the window with e.g., IPA (Isopropanol) and glass cleaner. We recommend you to use both, since they remove different kind of dirt or grease.
  • Use foam tape to limit splashing.
  • Clean the surface in between every step to remove the dust from the previous step and avoid the dust creating any scratches.
  • When using the Mirka PS1437 polisher, set it to its lowest speed, 1100 rpm.
  • Using the RPS, the maximum speed is 3000 rpm, so set the speed adjuster halfway, for around 1500 rpm.
  • On the ARP, set the speed to the lowest, 1500 rpm.
  • Keeping the speed low helps to control surface temperature.

Start sanding with a fine grit, eg. 320 grit, or just polish out the scratch. If the fine grit does not sand enough, use the next coarser grit. This way you can avoid additional steps when removing the scratches. The following process starts with 180 grit, which is recommended for deep scratches.

For superficial scratches

  • How to recondition a scratched car window

    You can restore and polish glass instead of replacing a car's damaged side or back window with a new one, Mirka's glass sanding solution can be used instead, saving time and money.

    This procedure starts with Abralon, because the scratches are superficial, they are easy to remove with a softer abrasive.

    Watch the video to see the procedure. (NOTE: The PS1437 Polisher is unavailable at this time)

  • Step 1 - Abralon 360

    For removal of glass scratches, sand with Abralon 360 grit and Rotary Polisher. Dry or wet sanding. Keep the area as small as possible, the area will expand for each step. Wipe the surface clean.

  • Step 2 - Abralon 500

    Sand with Abralon 500 grit and Rotary Polisher. Dry or wet sanding. Begin sanding from the edge of the previous grit. Wipe the surface clean.

  • Step 3 - Abralon 600

    Sand with Abralon 600 grit and Rotary Polisher. Dry or wet sanding. Wipe the surface clean.

  • Step 4 - Abralon 1000

    Sand with Abralon 1000 grit and Rotary Polisher. Wipe the surface clean.

  • Step 5 - Polish

    Use a Rotary Polisher and a Mirka White Felt Polishing Pad with Polarshine E3 Glass Polishing Compound. Remember to have the polisher flat to the surface and at low speed to not heat up the glass too quickly. Do not let the compound dry on the glass, add more as needed.

    Wipe the glass and check for scratches. Use a soft microfibre cloth and a window cleaning liquid. Polish until you have reached the desired finish.

For deep scratches

  • Step 1 - Abranet SIC NS 180

    This procedure starts with Abranet SIC NS because the scratches are deep. It is necessary to remove more glass material with coarser grits.

    For removal of glass scratches, sand with Abranet SIC NS 180 and Rotary Polisher. Dry or wet sanding. Keep the area as small as possible, the area will expand with each step.

  • Step 2 - Abranet SIC NS 240

    Sand with Abranet SIC NS 240 and Rotary Polisher. Dry or wet sanding. Begin sanding from the edge of the previous grit. Wipe the surface clean.

  • Step 3 - Abranet SIC NS 320

    Sand with Abranet SIC NS 320 and Rotary Polisher. Dry or wet sanding. Wipe the surface clean.

  • Step 4 - Abranet SIC NS 400

    Sand with Abranet SIC NS 400 and Rotary Polisher. Wipe the surface clean.

  • Step 5 - Pre-polish with Abralon

    Sand with Abralon 500 using the Rotary Polisher. Continue sanding with Abralon 600 and move on to Abralon 1000. Dry or wet sanding. Wipe the surface clean.

  • Step 6 - Polish

    Use Rotary Polisher and a Mirka White Felt Polishing Pad with Polarshine E3 Glass Polishing Compound. Remember to have the polisher flat to the surface and at low speed to not heat up the glass too quickly. Do not let the compound dry on the glass, add more as needed. Wipe the glass and check for scratches. Polish more if required. Use a soft microfibre cloth and a window cleaning liquid.

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Abranet SIC NS or Abralon?

Mirka Abrasives for Glass Sanding

Both Abranet SIC NS and Abralon use Silicon Carbide grains, which is the optimal grain when sanding glass. They contain no stearate coating, which is unnecessary for sanding glass.

If you have deep scratches or you are sanding a large area, start with Abranet SIC NS.

For superficial scratches, we recommend starting with Abralon. Abranet gives a closer feeling to sanding surface and a more aggressive sanding result.

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    Abralon

    Abralon is a versatile sanding disc designed for use on both smooth and contoured surfaces. Its innovative flexible structure minimises the possibility of pressure marks while enabling the creation of a smooth sanding pattern on sloped surfaces and edges.

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  •  

    Abralon SIC NS

    Abranet SIC NS is a specialty abrasive that uses silicon carbide cutting grains formulated completely without the use of stearate. It has been developed especially for use with glass and is also perfectly suited for use with clear coats, primers, carbon fibre and other composites.

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A better choice for you and the environment

Water-Based Polishes

All polishes that Mirka produces are water-based and produced in Finland. There are many benefits of choosing a water-based polishing compound.

  • Effective permanent removal of scratches - Water-based compounds remove scratches permanently. Solvent-based compounds can lose gloss after cleaning the surface with a degreaser and in some cases, they may only temporarily hide the scratches.
  • Safer for the operator - No hazardous chemicals  
  • Sustainable  - Water-based polishes are better for the environment and do not contain benzene or similar hazardous chemicals.

Automotive Processes

  • Same day dispatch

    All orders received by 2pm are dispatched on the same day, with express post options Australia-wide.

  • Outstanding Service

    Contact our helpful team at info@bestabrasives.com.au
    or by phone on 02 8036 8478.

  • 100% Australian

    Best Abrasives is 100% Australian owned and operated.