Buffing out the scratches in tempered cocktail glass

[gumby1109]

Has anyone had any success in buffing out scratches in their tempered cocktail glass top? It's not a money concern, This still has the Taito logo etched in it and I would love to keep it. Also, I have read previous posts about this. I am just curious to your opinions on the results. I have cerium oxide on the way.

 

[WadeLanham]

I'm skeptical, but I'd love to see someone be successful with this. I've always just replaced the glass. Once on a taito cocktail, I painted the scratched side black except where the graphics card went, and flipped the glass, and that turned out pretty nice. But usually I just replace it.

Wade

 

[VectorCollector]

+1 on replacing and getting on with life ...

But ... PA no longer stocks the repro glass? Wowzers. We worked hard to get that one done.

Tempest

www.phoenixarcade.com

 

[advans13]

Like with plastic. If you can hang a fingernail on it, its not gonna happen. I bet you can improve it though for sure.

 

[SCUBA King]

How to Remove Scratches from Tempered Glass

As a parent, you’ll take any peace and quiet you can get. Unfortunately, sometimes kids go silent because they’re doing something they’re not supposed to do. Kids break things – it’s a simple fact of life. Luckily, you can usually reverse the damage without too much harm done.

glassdoctor.com

 

[Yoeddy]

Replace the glass.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[tstone]

It's nearly impossible to do well.

I've seen many people try it on aquarium glass with the correct equipment.

The fingernail test mentioned above is the standard. If you can catch your fingfernail on it, forget it.

 

[rod90]

I have seen this done manually on a 2'x2' stone. It was professionally done, and it took the guy 2 days.

It can be done but it is labor intensive. For a part that is reproduced, it is not worth the time.

 

[DonPanetta]

Polishing tempered glass can only go so far. With that said you can try the pumice mixed with rubbing compound method. Check out this video.

 

[SillyB]

I have had minor success with cerium oxide. Like everyone else said if it's deep forget it. You can reduce scratches and improve clarity for sure, but it isn't going to look new again.

 

[andrewb]

I'm surprised there isn't a product that you can apply that will fill and mask scratches, as that would be easier than trying to remove them via abrasion.

Something that has the same index of refraction as glass, that could just fill them in slightly and make them less obvious.

 

[Infa Red]

I'm surprised there isn't a product that you can apply that will fill and mask scratches, as that would be easier than trying to remove them via abrasion.

Something that has the same index of refraction as glass, that could just fill them in slightly and make them less obvious.

I have been thinking this too. And was thinking about calling that place Safelite or whatever, they have exactly what you said for windshields (some sort of liquid they can fill the chip or scratch with). When its deep enough to catch your fingernail, as others said, it ain't coming out without massive work. Anything you can't catch your fingernail on, I personally have gotten out, and I have found best results using sandpaper then to compounds. 400 grit wet sanding graduating to 3000 grit wet sanding, (at this points all scratches are gone, but its cloudy looking).. so then after that used glass cutting compound (way less cloudy), then the final glass polishing compound = Comes out like new ! But as the others said, lots of work.

Now, back to the theory,,, because of my success, I was just thinking, on them deep ones, what if I could get Safelite to come out and fill it, then I would use my method from there and make it new again. I am going to try it one day.

 

[ChewbaccaBox]

+1 on replacing and getting on with life ...

But ... PA no longer stocks the repro glass? Wowzers. We worked hard to get that one done.

Tempest

www.phoenixarcade.com

I totally misread the title as "tempest" as well the first time

 

[VectorCollector]

I totally misread the title as "tempest" as well the first time

LOL - mind blown.
(Obviously, I have my priorities).

 

[tstone]

The problem is, if you eventually get the scratch out with cerium oxide, the glass will still look like crap.

And you'll be out countless hours of wasted toil.

It'll just have changed from one crappy appearance to a different crappy appearance.

 

[gumby1109]

I went ahead and ordered a tempered piece from the local glass shop. I plan on playing with the scratched original and see what kind of results I come up with. In the meantime I am refreshing the rest of the cabinet. I'm just painting the metal base and the legs. The wood laminate sides and control panels are decent.