Be it kids playing soccer, moving furniture or even a stray pebble, sliding door glass can easily get scratched or chipped from everyday use. While minor scratches may only ruin the beauty of the glass door, deep ones can lead to cracks in the glass. Quick repairs are required to save the glass from further damage and knowing what to do is important to avoiding worsening the problem with DIY solutions.
In this article, we’ll guide you through some quick sliding door repair tricks that you can do yourself. We’ll also see when the time is to call professional help.
Understanding the Damage
Different kinds of damage to the glass door require different approaches to fix it. Some damage can be repaired with DIY methods while others need professional repairs. Understanding the damage can be important to know the way forward. For example, minor scratches can be easy to deal with while deeper ones can cause serious problems.
Small Scratches
The small scratches are shallow scratches that are only visible at a certain viewpoint or light angle. They can be faded with some household items and can be solved with DIY methods.
Deeper Scratches
If you can feel the scratch with a finger, it’s likely to be deep and will need some effort to go away. These scratches can further deepen and cause damage to the glass so they should be dealt with properly.
Small Chips
If something hits the glass hard enough, it can cause a small piece of glass to break out. These small chips are mostly not more than quarter of an inch and can be fixed with some DIY fixes for glass doors.
Large Chips or Cracks
If something large enough hits the glass or you ignored previous damage to a glass door, cracks can develop in the glass. These cracks are usually beyond the do-it-yourself solutions, and you should call a professional glass sliding door repair service to fix it before further damage.
How to Repair Scratches on Glass Doors?
If you have some minor scratches on a glass door, you can try this step by step guide to repair it yourself:
1. Clean the Glass Thoroughly
Before you apply anything on the glass, make sure it is clean. Use a glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth to remove the dust and dirt from the glass. A clean glass will make it easier to see the scratches and provide better adherence to the repairs we do.
2. Use Non-Gel Toothpaste or Baking Soda
For small scratches, you can apply non-gel toothpaste. Put some toothpaste on a soft cloth and rub it over the scratch in a circular motion. The toothpaste will smoothen out the scratch if it is just a superficial scratch. A paste of baking soda and water can also be used the same way.
3. Check and Repeat If needed
After you apply toothpaste or baking soda, wait a few minutes. Now clean the glass again with a clean wet cloth. After the glass has dried, see if the scratch is still there. If it’s still there, you should repeat the process. Some scratches are difficult to fade, and you might need to try this a few times.
4. For Deeper Scratches
While small scratches can go away with toothpaste and baking soda, deeper ones need to be dealt with more professionally. These scratches can be dangerous as they can worsen over time. If ignored, these scratches can cost you a lot to repair and even the whole door glass might need to be replaced.
How to Repair Chips on Glass Doors?
Like minor scratches, minor chips that are less than half an inch deep can also be fixed with DIY methods. Here is a step by step guide to do this.
1. Clean the Chipped Area
Like minor scratches, the first step in fixing a chip is to clean the area well. Make sure there’s no dust or dirt in or around the chip, as this can mess up the repair.
2. Apply Clear Nail Polish or Repair Resin
After cleaning the chipped area, apply a small amount of nail polish to the chipped area. Make sure the nail polish fills the area. This will seal the chip and stop it from getting worse. Nail polish can be a temporary fix, but repair resin provides an even better solution. It sticks more than nail polish and bonds strongly with the glass. Apply some repair resin to the chipped area and check if everything went well after it dries out.
3. Let It Dry Out Completely
Allow the polish or the resin you just applied to fully dry out before you touch or use the door. It can take several hours so it’s best to do the procedure at night and let it dry overnight. A fully dried repair is stronger and lasts longer.
4. Sand the Area for a Smooth Finish
Once the repairs you applied have dried out, you can use fine-grit sandpaper to sand the area gently. This process makes any rough edges smooth and will help to further restore the beauty of your glass door. However, you should be very careful with it or else you’ll be left with new scratches.
5. Inspect and Reapply If Needed
After you have done all the process, clean the glass once again and see if the repairs went well. If you can still notice the chip, you might want to apply another layer of polish or resin and repeat the process. It’s better to apply several thin layers than one thick one, as this provides a smoother repair.
Read More: 9 Reasons Why a Sliding Door Isn’t Working Properly
When to Call Professional Glass Sliding Door Repair Services?
Scratches or chips on a glass door can be a headache. If they’re not dealt with properly, they can lead to high repair costs or even damage your door glass to a non-repairable level if left without repairs. While DIY fixes are a tempting and quick solution, they’re highly unreliable and you might end up further damaging the glass if you’re not careful. You need to call professionals to get the glass door back in its beautiful condition.
That’s where 5 Star Sliding Door Repair comes in the picture. Our expert team has the skills and equipment to restore the strength and beauty of your sliding glass door. We make sure your door is secure and looks as good as a new one.
Don’t risk further damage to the glass door with DIY fixes. Trust 5 Star Sliding Door Repair to deliver professional and long-lasting results. Keep your home safe and stylish—Contact us today for peace of mind!
