Glass furniture can give your living areas a classy, contemporary look. It gives the illusion of space as its transparency doesn’t block the views behind it, creating a more spacious feel.
At Trent, we recognise the importance of maintaining and preserving your furniture for the long term. That’s why we’ve put together an expert guide on removing scratches from glass furniture and preventing them altogether.
Using household products
As a rule, the heavier the scratch, the trickier it is to remove. But there’s no harm trying – and you may even resolve the lighter scratches with relative ease.
Got some superficial scratches? Run your fingernail over the area, if you can’t feel the groove, good news! You can probably buff them out with some common household products. Follow our easy steps below for a scratch free finish.
Toothpaste
The same gentle abrasive qualities that allow your toothpaste to remove surface stains on your teeth also makes it perfect for polishing out scratches on your glass. Start by cleaning your glass with your usual cleaner and a lint-free cloth.
Next, dab a small amount of toothpaste on the scratch before using a damp washcloth to rub it across the surface. Use gentle movements to avoid causing more scratches. The toothpaste will gently polish away the scratches. Once you are satisfied, use a clean cloth or sponge to wash away the toothpaste, and clean the glass again for the finishing touch.
Jeweller’s Rouge
Jeweller’s rouge is a compound that professionals use to remove those little nicks and scratches that accumulate on gold and silver during normal wear and tear.
With glass, jeweller’s rouge does the same thing by smoothing out surface scratches and it can be found just about anywhere that jewellery is sold, in stores or online. To use it, clean your glass thoroughly. Then apply the rouge to the glass using a lint-free cloth and rub it in. It may be necessary to apply more jeweller’s rouge as you go depending upon the severity of the scratches. When the marks are gone, simply wipe away the excess jeweller’s rouge and clean with glass cleaner.
Clear Nail Varnish
Gently rub in a metal polish using small circular motions with a soft cloth. This technique works best on those scratches that are slightly too deep for paste or rouge to work but not bad enough to call in the professionals. As always, clean the glass first so that you avoid trapping dirt or dust with the polish.
A clean surface also makes it easier for you to get the nail polish to adhere to the crack. Brush the clear nail polish along the scratch, and try to avoid getting excess along the edges. If you do get any outside of the scratch, use a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to clean it up. Allow the nail polish to dry overnight, and use glass cleaner in the morning so that it looks as good as new.
Scratch repair products
If the scratch is too deep to be removed using everyday cleaning products, you may need to try more specialised suggestions:
Try a dedicated scratch repair kit, such as a set designed for repairing car windscreens.
If it’s a quick fix you’re after, why not try a wax-based furniture polish? With just a thin layer applied, shallow scratches can be filled, in turn better reflecting the light. Once it’s dried, buff with a clean cloth.
If scratches are deep enough to feel with your fingertips, the surface is never going to look quite like new. To remove the scratch will mean removing the glass around the scratch to the same depth and this can leave a deviation in the surface of the glass.
Preventing scratches occurring in glass
Knowing how to repair scratches in glass table tops lets you extend the use of one of your favourite household objects. Knowing how to prevent them is even better. That’s why we’ve added some Trent top tips.
Remove dried stains carefully
To prevent scratches from forming when cleaning stains or spills that have dried on your glass, always use a glass cleaner or soapy water to moisten the stain first when removing it. It’s important that you avoid scrubbing your table top glass.
Use coasters
Placing hot plates, bowls, or cooking utensils directly on your glass table top without first placing a protective mat under them can cause the glass to weaken.
Use table runners
To avoid resting utensils directly on the glass table top, fabric table runners act as a good buffer. As well as being a decorative addition to your table, it helps to protect the glass from scratches.
How to repair scratches on other types of table
If you have other types of table which have suffered scratches, advice is at hand. Take a look at our guide to repairing wooden table top scratches.
Buy the best furniture at Trent Furniture
Here at Trent, we are passionate about furniture, we have both the experience and range to offer you the very best selection of furniture for your individual needs. Check out our extensive range of contract furniture, or get in contact to see how we can help you.