METHOD FOR MINIMIZING DENT DEFECTS IN CHEMICALLY STRENGTHENED GLASS

Methods of manufacturing a glass-based article comprise: after mechanical polishing of a glass-based substrate, treating at least one surface of the glass-based substrate for protection of the at least one surface from contamination and/or for removal of contaminants from the at least one surface by a treatment other than ultrasonic cleaning; and exposing the glass-based substrate to an ion exchange treatment after the treating step to form the glass-based article. The treating step includes: exposing the at least one surface to a high pH soaking for removal of contaminants; deionizing the at least one surface for removal of contaminants; and/or applying a temporary coating to the at least one surface for protection of the at least one surface from contamination, and removing the temporary coating prior to the ion exchange treatment step. The ion exchange treatment may comprise a molten salt bath having an increased pH and temperature.