If your glass patio door is scratched, it doesn't mean the end of the door. Glass patio doors are prone to scratching from pets, accidents, or everyday use.

A scratched door creates an eye sore and lowers home resale value. However, it is possible to fix them without replacing the whole door. Here are tips to fix scratches in glass patio doors.

Prepare to Work

For this project, you need:

• work gloves
• face mask
• small bowl or bucket
• spray bottle with water
• sponge, lint-free paper towels, or cloths
• ammonia
• mild glass cleaner
• crayon or grease pencil
• cerium oxide powder
• toothpaste (not gel)
• clear nail polish and polish remover (optional)
• electric drill
• flat buffer attachment with pad drill

Test the depth of the scratch to determine repair or replacement. Insert your fingernail in the scratch. If the scratch is deep, repeat the test on the other side. Deep scratches are likely cracks, which means the glass will need replacing.

Spray glass cleaner on the surface, and let it stand several minutes. Wipe it down with a lint-free paper towel or cloth. If you can't repair the scratch, cleaning it will make it less visible.

Buff the Scratch with Cerium Oxide

Mark the scratches on the other side of the door with the crayon or grease pencil. Buy some cerium oxide powder from a home improvement center. Glass makers and jewelers use cerium oxide to shine jewelry. The suggested grade is 90%.

Add enough water to the cerium oxide to make a paste and connect the buffer attachment to the drill, then attach the pad. Move the buffer over the scratches, keeping the area moist with water. Clean the surface with ammonia on a sponge, and use a cloth or paper towel to wipe it dry.

Try Tooth Paste or Clear Nail Polish

If you prefer a non-chemical method, try toothpaste. Make a mixture from tooth paste, baking soda, and water. Dab some of the mixture on the buffer pad, and rub the pad over the surface in a circular motion.

Let the toothpaste sit a minute or two, and buff the surface using circular motions. Clean the surface with ammonia on a sponge, then rinse with a paper towel or cloth.

Alternately, apply a thin layer of clear nail polish over the scratch. Add another layer of polish, if the scratch hasn't disappeared. Clean extra polish with nail polish remover.

Repairing scratches saves you money. But, if the scratches aren't disappearing, the glass needs replacing. For more information, contact local professionals like Mr. Go-Glass.