Can you polish out windshield scratches?

[John Bergen]

I just bought a 2000 Boxster S and though the car is in overall nice shape the windshield has many very small scratches all across it that make it very difficult to see though it under bright light/glare. They may be rock chips though I think the forum member who suggested that they were caused by an automatic car wash brush is likely right. Another forum member said: but the rock chipping is (to me) excessive. The windshield is so badly pitted (all very miniscule) that I'm considering replacement (getting tough to see through the glare when the sun hits it just right). I've never seen a windshield get so rough so quickly, either.

Is there any way for a shop to buff these out or must the windshield be replaced (which I hate to do because replaced windshields seldom are as leak-proof as the original ones!) and hopefully by a more durable scratch resistant one! Thanks!