The world of cooktop surfaces is now filled with the promise of unprecedented versatility. Ovens, stoves, range cards, and even hoods are coming equipped with a new set of features and functions that will make them easy to use at any given moment. With so many options on the market, it’s important to know how to get the most out of them. And when it comes to your favorite surface, scratches are going to result in clogged drains and splatters everywhere you look. Luckily, there are a number of ways to prevent them from happening again — or at least reduce their effect. Here is everything you need to know about removing scratches from glass cooktop surfaces.
How to Remove Scratches From Glass Cooktop
1. Remove the Scratches with a Rubbing Compound
Rubbing compound is a type of polishing product that is used to reduce the appearance of scratches, scuffs, and chips on all kinds of surfaces. It can be applied using a variety of different tools, including an electric drill or an orbital sander. The goal is to smooth out the edges of the scratch and bring it down below the surface level.
2. Buff Away the Compound with Sandpaper
Once you’ve given your cooktop a light coat of rubbing compound, it’s time to move on to sandpaper. A medium grit sanding block will do just fine here; it should be able to cut through the compound fairly quickly while leaving behind only smooth, shiny glass in its wake. If you don’t have any sandpaper lying around, you can always make your own by tearing off some strips from an old piece of construction paper.
3. Mop Up Any Residue With Mineral Spirits
Once you’ve finished using sandpaper to buff away your scratches, there’s still one more step that needs to be taken: cleaning up any residue left behind by the rubbing compound and/or sandpaper. This can be done with mineral spirits or another type of solvent for plastic surfaces like lacquer thinner or paint thinner — but make sure you follow all safety precautions before getting started!
4. Protect the Cooktop with a Glass Scratch Protector
Once you’ve cleaned up all the residue, it’s time to protect your cooktop to ensure that your next scratch-removal session is a little less involved. A glass scratch protector can be applied directly to the cooktop surface and will serve as a barrier between it and any other hard objects that might come in contact with it.
5. Avoid Scratches for Good
The most important thing you can do to prevent future scratches from appearing on your cooktop is to make sure that nothing ever comes into contact with it in the first place. This means keeping all pots and pans clean, using non-scratching cooking utensils like wooden spoons, and avoiding metal scouring pads.
6. Use a Ceramic Cooktop Protector When Cooking
If you’re the type of person who tends to get a little carried away with the cooking process, you might want to consider investing in a ceramic cooktop protector or pad. These are made out of silicone and will help protect your cooktop’s surface from scratches caused by heat, dryness, and moisture — as well as any other sort of damage that might occur while you’re in the middle of preparing dinner!
7. Try a Cooktop Repair Kit
If you’ve tried everything on this list and your cooktop is still looking pretty scratched up, it might be time to consider taking it to a professional for repair. This can be done with the help of a cooktop repair kit, which is made up of all the tools needed to smooth away any scratches and make your cooktop look as good as new. The only downside is that the cost of repairing a scratch on a glass cooktop can sometimes exceed $100, so you might want to think about whether or not it’s really worth it before getting started!
What Causes a Scratch on Glass Cooktop?
1. Ceramic Cookware
One of the most common causes of scratches on a glass cooktop is ceramic cookware, especially if it’s made out of materials like hard anodized aluminum or copper. If you use these pots and pans on your glass cooktop, you’ll want to make sure that you use a soft cloth to clean them off instead of metal scouring pads or anything else that might scratch the surface.
2. Metal Utensils
Scratches can also be caused by metal utensils like spoons and spatulas — especially if they’re made out of stainless steel or other types of metal that are too hard for your cooktop’s surface! In addition to using non-scratching cooking tools, it’s also important to make sure that your glass cooktop is free from any dust or debris before you start cooking.
3. Your Own Hands
If you have a habit of letting pots and pans cool down by themselves before putting them away, it could be causing scratches on your glass cooktop as well! When hot ceramic pots come into contact with cold countertops, they can sometimes cause small bits of “rocking” on the surface, which in turn leads to scratches over time.
4. Trying to Remove Scratches Yourself
Finally, one last thing that can cause scratches on a glass cooktop is trying to remove them yourself! While it might seem like a good idea to try and smooth away a scratch on your cooktop with a cloth or scouring pad, the truth is that this can actually do more harm than good — especially if you’re trying to use metal tools.
What Are the Symptoms of a Scratch on Glass Cooktop?
1. Glass Cooktop Stains
If you notice that your glass cooktop is beginning to look stained, it could be a sign that you have a scratch on the surface. Stains can usually be removed with regular glass cooktop cleaner, but if they aren’t, you might actually have a scratch on your cooktop and not even know it!
2. Heating Up Slowly
If your glass cooktop is taking longer than usual to heat up or cool down, this could also be a sign of a scratch. If the surface of your cooktop is scratched, then it won’t be able to conduct heat as well as it used to — which means that it will take longer for its temperature to stabilize after being turned on!
3. Glass Cooktop Discoloration
If you notice that your glass cooktop is becoming more yellow or brown over time, this could also be an indication of scratches on the surface of the unit! There are a few different reasons why discoloration can occur with glass cooktops — including scratches — so if yours is getting worse over time, then you might want to consider getting in touch with someone who can help fix it for you!
4. Unnatural Cooking Temperature
Finally, if all else fails and nothing seems to fix your broken glass cooktop, there’s one final thing you should check out: whether or not the temperature setting on your unit matches what’s actually happening inside of it!
Tips for removal of scratches from glass cooktop
1. Remove Scratches with a Brillo Pad
If you have a scratch on your glass cooktop that’s relatively shallow, you can try using a Brillo pad to smooth it out. If you do this, however, make sure that the pad is gentle and non-abrasive and don’t use too much pressure!
2. Remove Scratches with Toothpaste
Toothpaste is another common household item that can be used to remove scratches from glass cooktops. Simply apply some toothpaste over the scratch and then allow it to sit there for about 15 minutes before wiping it away with a soft cloth.
3. Remove Scratches with Toothpaste and Rubbing Alcohol
Finally, if you want to tackle deeper scratches on your cooktop, you may want to try combining toothpaste with just a few drops of rubbing alcohol in order to get better results! Just apply the paste and rubbing alcohol over the scratch like normal, but make sure not to let the paste dry completely before wiping it away — otherwise, it will leave behind a sticky residue that could end up doing more harm than good!
The Bottom Line
If you have a scratch on your glass dishwasher, it might be best to get it out as soon as possible. One of the most important things you can do is to dry the glass thoroughly before scrubbing. Scratches can dry incredibly fast, and if you don’t do anything about it, you might want to start seeing minor marks on your cooktop in no time.
