What to do about glass scratches?
Here you’ll find answers from
the professionals
Glass surfaces are exposed to daily stress – whether from construction work, cleaning, weather, or simply everyday use. But not every scratch or mark means an expensive replacement. In our FAQ section, you’ll find expert answers to the most common questions about glass scratches, chemical damage, and the possibilities of professional restoration with GLASSRESQ.
Dominic Duer, Managing Director of GLASSRESQ, has personally compiled these questions:

„Those who understand the cause of damage can also choose the right solution. That’s exactly what matters to us in every consultation.“
Dominic Duer, Managing Director of GLASSRESQ
Most Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does GLASSRESQ do?
Professional Glass Restoration – Removing Scratches and Polishing Glass with GLASSRESQ®
GLASSRESQ is your specialist for professional glass restoration and the removal of scratches from all types of glass surfaces. With our unique GLASSRESQ® system, we offer a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to the expensive replacement of damaged glass. By precisely polishing glass and efficiently restoring it, our clients save up to 90% of the cost compared to complete glass replacement.
Whether it’s removing scratches, polishing glass, or full glass restoration – we handle the repair of glass surfaces of all types and sizes. Our clients come from a wide range of sectors: insurance companies, architects, general contractors, property developers, property managers, shop owners, and private individuals all rely on our expertise in glass repair.
Our specially trained GLASSRESQ technicians operate throughout Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the UK, and the Benelux countries. This ensures fast response times, high quality, and close customer support. From localized scratch removal on shop windows to full-scale restoration just before building handovers – we carry out projects of every size.
Thanks to GLASSRESQ’s innovative technology, even deep scratches can be removed and the damaged surface restored through expert glass polishing. Rely on experience, precision, and professional results – all without the need for glass replacement.
GLASSRESQ – Your partner for glass restoration, scratch removal, and glass polishing.
See how it works here: Glass polishing
Does GLASSRESQ offer the complete glass restoration service from a single source?
Yes, we specialize in a wide range of professional services related to glass restoration. Our core competencies include:
- Removing glass scratches – quickly and effectively eliminating scratches on all types of glass surfaces
- Glass polishing – restoring clarity and shine to dull or damaged glass surfaces
- Repairing vandalism damage to glass – z. B. such as etching, grinding marks, or spray paint
- Removing glass etching and lime deposits – for hygienically clean and visually flawless glass surfaces
- Repairing stone chips on glass panes – providing quick assistance before small damages turn into major problems
- Fixing glass damage caused by sparks – for example, after construction or welding work
- Glass sealing – to protect against new damage and make cleaning easier
With these services, we offer comprehensive solutions for glass restoration – whether you want to remove scratches, polish glass, or eliminate stubborn residues. Trust our experience and proven technology to protect and enhance your glass surfaces permanently.
Where is GLASSRESQ glass restoration used?
Our innovative glass restoration can be applied to nearly all types of glass surfaces. The process is ideal for removing glass scratches, polishing glass, or selectively repairing damaged glass areas—without the need for replacement.
Typical applications of our glass restoration technology include:
- Shop windows
- Window panes und Window panes
- Glass facades, glass partitions and all types of glazing
- Automotive and vehicle glass (e.g., train windows, trams, buses)
- Display cases and mirrors in stores or sales areas
The places where we provide our services—such as scratch removal, glass polishing and glass surface sealing—are just as diverse:
- Residential properties
- Office buildings, banks, and commercial real estate
- Industrial facilities and hotels
- Ships, construction sites, and public transportation
Whether it’s about clear visibility, aesthetic enhancement, or functional restoration, our glass restoration system delivers perfect results on a wide variety of glass surfaces. GLASSRESQ is your partner when it comes to professionally removing glass scratches, expertly polishing glass surfaces, or repairing special damages such as etching and spark damage.
How does the GLASSRESQ® process for professional glass restoration work?
The GLASSRESQ® restoration process does not rely on traditional mechanical removal of the glass surface. Instead, it uses a highly advanced method of plastic deformation—a true flow process at the molecular level. This allows us to remove glass scratches and efficiently polish damaged surfaces without structurally weakening the glass.
At working temperatures of up to 400 °C, the glass surface undergoes controlled thermal processes that reshape it in a targeted way. During this process, moisture and crystal-bound water evaporate, carbonates and sulfates decompose, and the alkalis in the glass trigger chemical reactions. This initiates the actual flow process—altering the glass structure in such a way that scratches and other surface defects are permanently eliminated.
Despite the high process energy, the glass surface itself remains cool: thanks to our integrated extraction module, the surface temperature stays between 40–60 °C. This prevents thermal stress and potential deformation of the glass.
Another advantage: by using large-format tools (Ø 1500–2000 mm) and a unique diffuse process method, we avoid overheating and optical distortions such as lens-shaped ripples. At the same time, we can treat multiple scratches or defects at once, which significantly increases efficiency—especially for large-area restorations.
Our many years of experience, with tens of thousands of successfully restored tempered glass panes (ESG)—each over 4 m² per panel—prove that the process works faster and more easily on tempered safety glass (ESG) than on float glass, particularly in the sensitive edge areas with high stress levels.
Would you like to understand exactly how we remove glass scratches, polish glass, and carry out large-scale restorations? Then take a closer look at our detailed detailed GLASSRESQ® process.
Polishing glass – is that even possible?
Yes, polishing glass is not only possible—it is an integral part of glass processing. Even during the industrial production of glass, polishing is one of the final and most crucial steps. The mechanical treatment of the glass surface ensures perfectly clear, distortion-free transparency—a key quality feature of any high-grade glass pane.
Our restoration process is based precisely on this industrial standard: GLASSRESQ uses state-of-the-art technology to polish glass, remove scratches, and restore damaged surfaces to their original condition—completely without replacing the pane.
Since polishing is a proven and widely used process in glass manufacturing, our method is perfectly tailored to the material. It integrates seamlessly into the natural life cycle of glass surfaces—from production to professional restoration.
Whether for shop windows, glass facades, or tempered safety glass (ESG) elements: our glass polishing process is not only safe and effective but also preserves the optical and structural integrity of the surface.
GLASSRESQ – when it comes to expert glass polishing, scratch removal, and high-quality glass restoration.
Is material removed during glass polishing?
When polishing glass using the GLASSRESQ® process, only a minimal amount of material is removed—well within the standardized tolerances of the glass industry. The permissible dimensional deviations of nominal glass thicknesses are precisely defined in various standards and guidelines. For example, DIN 572 Part 2 allows a nominal thickness deviation of ± 0.3 mm for 8 mm float glass.
Typical glass scratches, by contrast, have depths of only about 0.02 to 0.05 mm. This means: when polishing out these scratches, the glass thickness is affected only minimally—remaining well below the permissible tolerances commonly accepted in glass manufacturing.
The flatness of the glass surface is therefore fully preserved, even after targeted restoration or when we remove scratches. As confirmed by the Fraunhofer IRB Verlag in the technical book “Glasschäden”, professional glass polishing does not impair the structural or optical quality of the glass.
Conclusion: Our glass polishing process is absolutely safe, precise, and compliant with the technical specifications of the glass industry. It enables the sustainable removal of scratches without affecting the functionality or stability of the glass.
GLASSRESQ – the safe solution for removing glass scratches, polishing glass, and performing high-quality glass restoration.
Are there any visual impairments caused by glass polishing?
No — the GLASSRESQ® process specifically avoids optical impairments such as distortions or visible transitions. During professional glass restoration and polishing, we ensure that the treated area blends seamlessly with the untreated glass surface. This prevents the formation of lens-like structures or wave patterns.
The transitions between polished and original surfaces are systematically smoothed so that no visible edges, borders, or optical irregularities occur. For the average viewer, the treatment is generally unnoticeable or not perceived as disturbing — even upon close inspection.
Our work follows current guidelines for the visual assessment of glass quality in construction. This means that even after removing glass scratches or polishing large glass surfaces, the result complies with the applicable standards and quality requirements of the glass industry.
Would you like to see for yourself? Here you can find the current glass standard guideline for assessing panes with scratches, etching, or other damage:
GLASSRESQ — for glass restoration without optical compromises: removing scratches and polishing glass with a perfect result.
Does glass restoration create dirt and debris?
No – the GLASSRESQ® process does not produce any dirt, dust, or other debris. Our glass restoration is carried out using a closed, exceptionally clean dry method that requires no water or aggressive cleaning agents. This makes the process not only efficient, but also absolutely clean – ideal for use in sensitive environments such as offices, retail spaces, living areas, or public facilities.
The GLASSRESQ® system is equipped with a powerful extraction technology that reliably removes even health-hazardous glass dust particles of class H (fine dust). This keeps the surrounding area dust-free, and no final cleaning is required after polishing glass or removing scratches.
Thanks to this technology, our method is not only effective but also especially user-friendly – with no cleaning effort, no residue, and no disruption to your operations or daily life.
GLASSRESQ – clean glass restoration with no dirt, no dust, and no need for post-cleaning.
How can I determine whether a glass scratch can be restored?
You can determine yourself whether a glass scratch can be removed with a simple initial inspection. Here are a few helpful tips for your visual assessment before considering professional glass restoration:
- See through instead of looking directly: What matters is not the direct view of the scratch, but the view through the glass. Check if the background appears distorted through the glass pane – this is the main criterion.
- Observe the distance: According to Swiss standards, the inspection is done from a distance of 3 meters. In the EU, a testing distance of 1 meter applies.
- Correct viewing angle: Assess the glass from inside to outside – as corresponds to the normal use of the room.
- Daylight conditions: Inspect outdoors under diffuse daylight, i.e., not in direct sunlight. Interior glazing should be evaluated under the intended room lighting.
These steps will help you draw initial conclusions as to whether professional glass restoration or polishing of the glass makes sense.
Not sure? No problem: We are happy to offer you a free initial assessment. This way, we can quickly and easily determine whether the scratch can be removed by our process and the glass restored – without replacement, quickly and reliably.
GLASSRESQ – removing glass scratches and professionally restoring glass. Fast, clean, and effective.
How much CO₂ does glass restoration save compared to glass replacement?
A professional glass restoration with the GLASSRESQ® method is not only economically sensible but also an active contribution to climate protection. Compared to replacing a pane, restoration by polishing the glass or removing scratches saves on average around 500 kilograms of CO₂ per glass surface.
For comparison:
500 kg of CO₂ corresponds approximately to the CO₂ emissions of a round-trip flight from Zurich to Mallorca – per person!
And the best part:
We restore about 100 glass panes daily, resulting in a daily saving of over 50,000 kg of CO₂. This corresponds roughly to the annual CO₂ emissions of more than 25 gasoline-powered cars, each driving about 15,000 kilometers.
This impressive record shows:
With every glass restoration instead of replacement, you not only make an ecologically meaningful contribution but also actively help to conserve resources and reduce emissions – all without compromising quality.
GLASSRESQ – removing glass scratches, polishing glass, saving CO₂. Sustainable glass restoration for a cleaner future.
How much does glass restoration cost?
Glass restoration with GLASSRESQ® is in most cases up to 90% cheaper than a complete glass replacement. Instead of replacing a pane, we can sustainably repair existing damage by targeted glass polishing and scratch removal – quickly, cleanly, and cost-efficiently.
Average costs:
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Most scratches are about 10–20 cm long.
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The cost per damage is around CHF 150.–, depending on depth and area.
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For larger damages, the price may vary – but especially with large glass surfaces, the savings compared to replacement are particularly high, as the material value increases exponentially.
Important:
The larger the pane, the higher the potential replacement cost – and the more you save with professional glass restoration. Especially for facade glass, shop windows, tempered glass (ESG), or safety glass, the differences are often enormous.
100% acceptance guarantee: We guarantee that the restored area complies with the standard visual inspection.
Free quotes throughout Switzerland:
Simply send us a photo of the damage or arrange an on-site inspection appointment. Our experts will provide you with a non-binding and transparent offer – quickly and hassle-free.
GLASSRESQ – removing glass scratches, polishing glass, saving money. Professional glass restoration with a guarantee.
What you should know. And more.
GLASSRESQ® – Process
Our unique process technology in detail.
Information sheet on GLASSRESQ
All company facts at a glance.
Types of glass damage
Basis for identifying different types of glass scratches.
Instructions for Visual Inspection
Instructions for Visual Self-Inspection of Glass Damage.
Repair instead of replace
Overview of the Advantages of Glass Scratch Removal.
Test Report on Glass Scratch Removal
Test report for a glass product according to the European Standard EN 12150-1.
Get in touch now
Any questions left or do you already need to report glass damage?
Our team is happy to assist you personally – quickly, professionally, and without obligation.
Simply upload a photo or request a free initial assessment directly.