I've had good success with any kind of basic car polish. Buffing the windshield by hand will use up some elbow grease. You could make quick work of it with a wheel. They won't be completely gone, but it makes a noticeable difference. No need for rain x either after that...yuk yuk yuk
If the scratches aren't really bad, you can correct some of it by using Bon AMI cleansing powder, or Barkeepers friend) both of these use a non silicate based abrasive that will not scratch gl*** but will polish off a lot of road crud and light scratches. Clean the gl*** with windex or other stuff, then wet it down and sprinkle the cleanser on the gl***. Then use a wet sponge or washcloth and clean the gl*** using different directions of strokes, The rinse real well. It also works on faded non clear coat finishes like an in between of rubbing compound and polishing compound. works on chrome and stainless also.
a certain online auction...search "cerium oxide" Gotta get a felt bob to use it though, probably on that same online auction
You can buy gl*** polishing compond from C.R. Lawerance in Los Angeles They have everything for auto gl*** except the gl***
3M weld/spark deflection paper. It's the only way I know to keep gl*** free of weld splatter or from grinding. Doesn't help after the fact though... http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=SSSSSu7zK1fslxtU48_9m8_xevVSeChshvTSevTSeSSSSSS--
I bought the "Rare Earth" at a local auto gl*** shop. I have a 1969 Chevelle service manual that has the procedures for using that Cerium Oxide. I'm sure other manuals of that era have the same procedures. It is somewhat of a messy deal so don't do it inside your garage. No it will not work on grinding pits. It will only works on minor scratches and abrasions. If you don't follow the procedure you could distort your gl***.
Try.........Enkay Products... they have a kit that they say will take out scratches up to 1/32-inch cost $35.00 bucks and the buffing wheels will fit any size drill motor kit comes with pads, spray bottle, polish compound and step by step instructions 718 272-5570....................
I'll second the cerium oxide. I can be a bit messy if you're using a buff. If it's just general haze on the gl*** this stuff works well. Deeper scratches,the ones you can feel with your fingernail will be harder to completely remove,although you can reduce the appearance. You also have to be careful on the deeper ones you don't go too far. This can cause visual distortion.(Really annoying to look through when you're driving.)
I'd say for $35 it's worth a try. Take your car to a gl*** shop and see how much they quote you. It's quite labor intensive so better to have a go yourself.