Cerium Oxide, a rare-earth chemical, has been used for generations by glass artisans to polish and remove minor scratches from all types of glass. They continue to. You can do the same. For straightforward glass cleaning, restoration, and the eradication of scuff, scratch, and stains, no material is more efficient, adaptable, or simpler to use.
In comparison to the majority of pre-mixed polishing compounds now on the market, cerium oxide powder is also less expensive. It quickly turns into a slurry when combined with water, and a little goes a long way. Additionally, if any slurry remains after the job is finished, it is not thrown away. Simply let it dry out before using it again by adding water.
If you’re a skilled do-it-yourselfer, all you need is a little Cerium Oxide, a felt buffing wheel, and an electric drill to attach it to repair mildly damaged windows, tabletops, mirrors, auto glass, or even headlights.
Cerium Oxide will solve the issue if you have dirt on your glass or hard water stains on your shower door that won’t go away with regular household cleaners.
What is a “light” scratch, to begin with? The rule of thumb is that if you can clearly feel a scratch in your glass with your fingernail, it may be too deep to polish out and it is probably not worth the risk to attempt to do so yourself. Cerium Oxide comes to the rescue, though, if you have a cloudy mass of shallow scratches left over from keys or coins.
Online retailers sell cerium oxide and felt buffing wheels with a diameter of roughly three inches. Never forget that you don’t need much. This is how you do it:
- Use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to thoroughly clean the area you’ll be working on.
- Get two tiny plastic tubs, about the size of a pint or a quart, and fill one with water.
- Put the buffing wheel in the water until it is thoroughly damp but not completely drenched.
- Put a few TBSP of cerium oxide and a little water in the other tub.
- As you whisk the mixture with a plastic spoon or knife, gradually add more water until the slurry has the consistency of heavy cream. (Checking with your naked finger is absolutely safe, and if there are small particles that don’t completely dissolve, don’t worry.)
- Your electric drill is required to attach the dampened polishing wheel as you dip it into the slurry.
- Turn on your drill and place the polishing wheel on the work surface.
- Keep the pad moving continuously in a side-to-side and circumferential direction.
- Buff continuously until the slurry is JUST about dry (CAUTION: Be sure not to buff the glass when it is dry. This can cause the glass to overheat and crack.)
- Wipe off the slurry once it has dried.
- Simply use the slurry-dampened pad to buff the glass again if you’re not satisfied with how it looks.
All there is to it is that. Remember that the slurry can be kept until it is completely dry and then reactivated simply by adding water. Happy polishing!
