The removal of partial areas of a coating (11, 12) on at least one surface (37, 38) of a glass pane (2) takes place by means of a plasma jet (14, 15) which emerges from a plasma nozzle (5, 6). The plasma nozzle (5, 6) is part of a plasma unit and two such plasma units are provided. Both of the plasma nozzles (5, 6) are oriented towards each other and form a pair of nozzles. A glass pane (2) is machined between both of the nozzles (5, 6). A distance sensor (23, 24) is arranged on both of the nozzles (5, 6), and said nozzles (5, 6) are positioned at the correct distance in relation to the surface (37, 38) of the glass pane (2).