How to Remove Small Scratches on Glass? Good Questions

Q - This might be a silly question and a lost cause but I'm looking for advice on a tragedy that occurred this weekend. As my mother was telling me to be careful with the glass top of my brand new Noguchi coffee table when I have guests over she literally scratched it with a platter!

Now that scratch mocks me whenever I walk into the room. Tiny? Yes. But removable? I know it will happen again over time, but it breaks my heart after having just been delivered. Curious if there's a way to get out small scratches in new glass. Eeep! Thank you so much for your help.

Posted by Kristin

Editor - Kristin, don't fret...you can remove small scratches from glass by buffing it out using jeweler's rouge with a lamb's wool buffing pad. Jewelers rouge was originally developed for the jewelry trade for buffing soft, fine and precious metals to produce a brilliant, high lustrous finish, so when used with lamb's wool, the circular motion will gently remove the scratch. Don't put too much pressure and occasionally check to see the progress made. When you feel like the scratch has been sufficiently removed or lessened, use a mixture of 2 ounces of ammonia with 2 quarts of water as a rinse with a soft sponge.

Here's a more in-depth how-to by Crystal Ray of the Associated Press about How to Remove Scratches from Glass for additional info.

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Don't know how to help, but it sounds like you have a PERFECT opportunity to induce some maternal guilt! Good luck...

posted by callithrix on July 21st 2009 at 9:44pm
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I own the same coffee table. Unless it is an authentic vintage Noguchi, don't sweat it and just enjoy a little wear and tear from good times.

posted by Seaside on July 22nd 2009 at 12:10am
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You might try toothpaste. Jewelers rouge might be too fine of a compound to smooth out glass. When I get scratches on the jewels of my watches I put on a bit of tooth paste and water, rub it in, and it's gone. Sometimes I have to do it two or three times, depending on the scratch and how long I think I should be rubbing. Also, any toothpaste will do, but I use the cheapest white paste I can find. Some new tooth pastes have extra stuff that does nothing to help.

I hope it helps.

Eric

posted by LHFixer on July 22nd 2009 at 6:13am
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i have the same table, be happy it was only a scratch not a break ( like our did during the move).

we had to get a new glass top ( hello heavy glass)

posted by bellaknollie on July 22nd 2009 at 10:41am
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Gregory - where do you get your jeweler's rouge?

posted by RichardinLA on July 22nd 2009 at 4:14pm
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bellanollie, where did you order your new glass top from?

posted by RyeGuyLA on September 1st 2009 at 8:49pm
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