The definition of a “deep” scratch varies. A glazier may consider any visible scratch too deep to repair, while online sources often claim that anything catching a fingernail is beyond fixing. In reality, that’s not the case.

A truly deep scratch usually has a ragged edge with tiny chips broken out of the glass—often over 100 microns deep. Experienced glass polishers can routinely remove these, unless they’re too close to the edge.

The most severe form of glass damage is known as angle grinder splatter (or spatter in the UK), which often exceeds 500 microns in depth.
See our angle grinder splatter removal page ›