Replacing a scratched windscreen in Kenya costs about Ksh15,000, depending on the car model and manufacturing year.
Windscreens for German-made and Japan-made automotive range from Ksh15,000 to Ksh20,000, according to professional mechanics. With the current economy, most Kenyan drivers struggle to raise funds to replace scratched windscreens which affect visibility.
Such damages take a toll on the general driving experience and, to some extent affecting a driver's decision-making process. This risks the lives of passengers and other motorists.
Defective wiper blades, road debris and ineffective cleaning methods are among the major causes of windshield scratches.
How to Remove Scratches
Depending on how deep a windscreen is scratched, some Kenyan drivers and mechanics use simple and affordable means to remove the scratches.
The solutions range from store-bought products to professional buffing techniques.
Toothpaste
Minor scratches can be removed using white toothpaste. The most preferred kinds of toothpaste during this process are those with baking soda as one of its manufacturing ingredients.
This is among the homemade solutions where a driver applies toothpaste on a scratched surface and then rubs it off using a clean cloth.
Excess toothpaste is then removed using a damp cloth after repeating the process severally.
Windscreen Polish
Some Kenyan drivers use a specific polish to avoid vision obstruction due to scratched windscreens.
Cerium Oxide manufactured polish gels get rid of artificial windscreen scratches easily. Unlike toothpaste, this is applied on a clean and dry scratched surface.
A buffing machine with glass polish pads and Cerium Oxide polish is used. This ultra-tough abrasive can buff scratches from glass to help restore clarity and reduce glare, saving fuel.
Resin
Another cost-effective trick is the use of resin. Kenyan drivers use resin to fill in the scratched area.
It helps fill some of the scratches, thus improving visibility.
However, this is not the most preferred method as it leaves some remnants of the scratch on the glass.
