Polish Glass: 600?1200?3000 Wet Sanding

Scratched glass—tables, windows, or automotive glass—can often be restored without replacement. The proven method is progressive wet sanding: 600 ? 1200 ? 3000 grit, followed by polishing compound. Each step reduces scratches until the surface is smooth, then polishing restores transparency.

Why Wet Sand Glass

Glass is harder than wood or plastic, but still scratches from grit, keys, or wipers. Polishing alone won’t remove deeper scratches; sanding is needed to level the surface. With the right grits and water, you can blend scratches and bring glass back to clarity.

Tools & Materials

• 9×11 in wet/dry sandpaper sheets: 600, 1200, 3000 grit
• Backing pad or block for flat sanding
• Spray bottle with water + drop of soap
• Microfiber towels
• Glass polishing compound (cerium oxide)
• Felt polishing pad, drill, or rotary tool
• PPE: respirator, gloves, safety glasses

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 600 grit — Removes deep scratches, levels surface.
• 1200 grit — Refines scratches, reduces haze.
• 3000 grit — Pre-polish clarity, prepares for compound.

Step-by-Step: Glass Polishing

1. Clean first. Wash glass thoroughly. Any grit left behind causes new scratches.
2. Wet-sand at 600 grit. Use 600 grit (25-pack). Sand lightly with water until scratches blend into uniform haze.
3. Refine at 1200 grit. Switch to 1200 grit (50-pack). Sand perpendicular to 600 strokes until surface looks smoother.
4. Final pass at 3000 grit. Move to 3000 grit (100-pack). Sand until glass looks satin-clear.
5. Polish. Apply cerium oxide compound with felt pad. Buff slowly until glass turns transparent.
6. Clean & inspect. Rinse and wipe with microfiber. Repeat polishing if haze remains.

Special Cases

Windshields: Avoid sanding in driver’s line of sight—distortion risk.
Tempered glass: More resistant but still polishable. Sand carefully.
Deep gouges: If you can catch a fingernail, sanding may not fully remove—replacement needed.

Pro Tips

• Keep surface wet—dry sanding scratches and heats glass.
• Sand in alternating directions to confirm scratch removal.
• Use backing block—finger sanding leaves grooves.
• Work slowly with compound—too much heat risks cracks.
• Mask edges if polishing near trim to avoid damage.

Aftercare

• Clean with non-abrasive glass cleaner only.
• Protect surfaces from grit and sharp objects.
• Re-polish light scratches starting at 3000 grit for quick fixes.

FAQs

• Why start at 600 grit? It’s coarse enough to remove scratches but not so coarse it risks distortion.
• Can toothpaste polish glass? Only very fine haze—real scratches need sanding + compound.
• Will sanding weaken glass? No if done lightly. Over-sanding in one spot may thin glass.
• Is cerium oxide required? Yes—normal polish isn’t hard enough for glass.

Video: Glass Scratch Removal

Closing: Scratched glass can often be saved. Follow the ladder—600 ? 1200 ? 3000 wet sanding, then polish—and restore clarity without costly replacement.