How to Get Scratches Out of a Windshield

Just as it is possible to buff out small scratches in your cars paint, you can do the same with small scratches on a windshield. Doing this improves visibility while saving you the cost of completely replacing the windshield. It only takes about an hour to go through the glass polishing process.

Instructions

1

Clean the windshield thoroughly with a glass cleaner. Its important to get the windshield as clean as possible because surface dirt gets caught under the polishing disc and causes more scratches.

2

Tape off the area that is going to be repaired from the inside of the windshield. Use two lines of tape, one on either side of the scratch, to act as guides once you begin polishing. Leave enough space between the tape for your polishing disc to fit between.

3

Soak the felt end of the polishing disc in warm water. Do this for about a minute so it will slide over the glass smoothly.

4

Mix the polishing compound. Follow the directions carefully and mix the compound until it is smooth.

5

Apply warm water over the scratch. This will further ensure that the polish goes on smoothly.

6

Tape off any non-glass surfaces. If the scratch is close to the paint you will want to protect it with masking tape.

7

Apply the polishing compound. Using the tape as your guide, fill in the area with the polishing compound in a smooth, even coat.

8

Polish the scratch. Attach the polishing disc to your drill and move the drill along the taped-off area in an even back and forth motion. Use a drill speed of 400 to 600 RPMs.

9

Wipe off any excess polishing compound with a wet sponge, then clean the area with a glass cleaner.

Read More..

How to Repair a Warped Brake Rotor

A warped brake rotor on your vehicle is a nuisance and a danger, especially if its cracked. Though its referred to as a warped rotor, most often its a rotor that has worn unevenly with a varying thickness. One symptom of a warped rotor is when you push the brake pedal and feel it pulsating. A clunking noise is another. Experienced home mechanics can repair warped rotors themselves by following a series of steps.

Instructions

Raise the Vehicle

1

Insert blocks behind the rear wheels and apply the emergency brake.

2

Loosen all the lug nuts, but dont totally remove any.

3

Unsnap the master cylinder lid and wrap a shop cloth around it to catch any fluid spills. When the caliper is squeezed it might push fluid over the top of the master cylinders reservoir.

4

Position the floor jack under the center of the front frame and jack it up. If a small jack is used, raise one wheel at a time.

5

Place two jack stands under the vehicles frame, one under each side near the front wheels.

6

Unbolt all the lug nuts and remove both front wheels.

Remove the Calipers and Rotors

7

Place a clamp over the caliper and compress it. Push the piston all the way into the caliper .

8

Unscrew the two bolts that secure the caliper to the spindle and remove the caliper. Take care not to stretch or damage the hydraulic brake line.

9

Remove the grease cap, cotter pin and spindle nut. Bump the rotor enough to pop the outer wheel bearing from its seat.

10

Remove the rotors and replace them with the new set.

11

Replace the brake pads and reinstall the caliper.

Read More..