Services
Glass renovation
What it is
What is glass renovation?
Glass renovation is the repair of damaged glass without replacing the pane. Think of a chip out of the glass, a deep pit, grinding spatter or glass that has gone dull with age. We can also repair double glazing and insulated glass this way.
We do this work mainly on board superyachts. Replacing a pane is rarely an option there: new glass often has a special shape, comes from suppliers abroad with a lead time of weeks to months, and the interior has to come out. We repair the damage on location, while the pane stays in place.
Resin or polishing
How do we repair the damage?
If there is a chip out of the glass or a deep pit in it, we repair it with resin. Polishing such damage away would cause a large distortion in the glass. The resin fills the damage, is cured with UV light and is then finished smooth, so the repair is barely visible.
We also restore glass with grinding spatter this way: we remove the metal from the glass, clean the surface and then fill the small damages with resin.
If the damage is in the surface, such as scratches or dullness, we grind and polish the glass until it is clear again. We assess on site which method fits best.
Process
How we work
We first assess the damage and choose the right method: resin for a chip or a deep pit, grinding and polishing for scratches and dullness.
Before
AfterAssessing the damage
We look at the location, depth and type of damage and decide whether resin or polishing is the best method.
Masking and preparation
We mask off the work area and protect the frame and the interior.
Repairing
The damage is filled with resin and cured with UV light, or ground out and polished.
Finishing and checking
We finish the surface smooth and check the result in the light. The damage is then nearly invisible.
Benefits
The advantages of glass renovation
Repairing has clear advantages over a new pane.
Cheaper than replacement
A new pane often has a lead time of weeks to months and is more expensive in most cases. The saving can be up to 80%.
No downtime
We repair on location and the pane stays in place. No disruption from removal and refitting.
Double glazing too
We can also repair double glazing and insulated glass this way.
Barely visible
After the repair the damage is nearly invisible and the glass is ready for normal use.
Experience
More than fifteen years on board
Finestra International has been restoring glass on board superyachts for more than fifteen years. Patrick Smid carries out the work himself, from the first assessment of the damage to the final check of the result.
You notice that experience in the assessment. We can tell right away whether a chip or pit can be repaired with resin, whether polishing or grinding is needed, and what result you can expect. In more than twenty countries, captains, owners and shipyards ask us back when new damage occurs.
More about FinestraYears of experience
Countries visited
FAQ
Questions about glass renovation
Chips, deep pits, grinding spatter, impact damage and dull or scratched glass. Edge damage can sometimes be repaired with resin, though it remains a weak point; we advise you honestly about that. Not sure? Send us a photo of the damage and we will tell you right away whether repair is possible.
Need advice on the right treatment?
Tell us about the glass and the damage, feel free to include photos, and we’ll recommend the best approach.
Contact us