Double Pane Window Repair

Repairing Scratches

• 1

  Fit a polishing pad on an electric buffer and set the buffer to its lowest setting.

• 2

  Put on safety glasses and a dust mask to protect your eyes as well as your lungs.

• 3

  Coat the polishing pad with a thin layer of whitening toothpaste. Buff the scratches in the double window pane thoroughly to fill the cracks and smooth the surface.

• 4

  Fill a spray bottle with distilled water and add 1 tbsp. ammonia. Spray the buffed double window pane, then wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. Let dry, then examine the double glass pane to see if the scratches are still visible. If so, repeat polishing with toothpaste and spraying with ammonia and distilled water to conceal the scratches completely.

Replacing Panes

• 5

  Put a drop cloth under the broken window to catch any glass shards. Open, unlock and pull the unbroken pane out of the frame, if necessary. Unfasten the clips or slides on the unbroken pane and pull it up and out of the frame to gain access to the other pane.

• 6

  Score both the inside and outside of the window frame with a utility knife to cut the bond between the caulk and pane.

• 7

  Put on gloves. Pull the broken pane out of the window, then unfasten the screws around the frame with a screwdriver to free the broken pane. Carefully dispose of the loose glass pieces.

• 8

  Pull the pane from the unfastened pane and take the frame to a retail glazier. Purchase a pane that will fit inside the frame.

• 9

  Insert the pane into the empty frame and fasten the retaining screws into place with a screwdriver.

• 10

  Spread clear silicone caulk around the edges of the new pane with a caulking gun, then put the frame back into the window and use as normal.