Tips for Cleaning, Restoring and Avoiding Streaks on Glass

Repairing glass tables at home

Glass is versatile, it can be molded to create many beautiful things like glass tables. However, glass tables are especially prone to damage if your household has children, pets, or hosts plenty of parties. Accidents are inevitable, and when your favorite coffee table cracks, you do not have to buy a new one if you try some common home glass repairs.

When the table cracks

Before repairing a cracked glass table, you have first to determine whether it is worth buying a new glass top or fixing it. You do not have to buy a whole new table if the glass top is beyond repair. You simply need to remove the glass top and buy a new one for the existing table. If the damage isn't too extensive, you can repair the cracks yourself.

The first step is to clean the glass surface carefully to remove any residual glass dust or crumbs. Take care not to cut yourself if the glass has some exposed edges. To clean the surface, you can use a slightly wet, lint free cloth. Allow the table to dry.

Next, you will use resin to fill the cracks. If you have multiple cracks, ensure that you have enough resin beforehand. This resin is typically referred to as epoxy and has two forms, the powder form, and the other comes in a cartridge used with a caulking gun. The caulking gun is easier to use and more convenient. 

Using the gun to fill the cracks in the glass, ensure that the resin penetrates to the bottom of the crack. Do not apply too much resin, as it can become untidy. Allow the resin to dry. Resin drying times vary from one manufacturer to another, so ensure that you read instructions carefully. Use a scraper remove the excess resin. The scraper is ideal because it does not scratch the glass.

Repairing scratches

Scratches are another household menace that comes with having a glass table top. You can easily get rid of scratches that are either near or at the surface of the glass. Deeper scratches require you to seek professional help.

To repair scratches, you need to apply a blob of jeweler's rouge onto a lint-free cloth. You can use the cloth to rub the scratched area until the scratch disappears. It may take a few minutes or perhaps longer but it comes out. Add a little more rouge if you have to, but remember to avoid rubbing too much because it can heat up the glass or break it.  After you are done, you can use a little ammonia mixed with water to remove rouge. Whitening toothpaste is a good alternative to rouge.


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