cleaning old windshield? FINALLY POSTED AFTER PICS!!!

My latest craigslist score was a pair of old windshields. The one that I am least interested is said to be off of an old Vespa.

The one that drew me to the post is an old National Cycle Plexifairing. After reviewing their site, it mostly resembles the GT model.

Anyhow, it has some signs of use like a few scuffs, some tape residue, light scratches, and a little clouding. I want to clean it up a bit... Of course I did my research online but I figured someone here would have some tips for me. Lets hear 'em?

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

A headlight restorer kit. My windshield was in really bad shape and I used RainX headlight restorer. It's not perfect but a heck of lot better.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

Rain-X, Black Magic, Powerball, Meguiar's, 3M, all make headlight restoration kits.

You will need:
Restoration kit
Drill
Patience

Make sure the kit you buy has the buffer for the drill, as well as the liquid polish/rubbing compound.

Follow their directions for use.

It won't get out deep scuff marks, but will take care of light scratches and the yellowing.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

I just cleaned 5 windshields as practice before working on a "tall" FJR windshield that I just bought.
I cleaned/polished a ZZR1200, '81 Honda Goldwing, and 3 Venture Royale shields.
First, clean with dish detergent and cotton cloth.
Work on scratches by laying thin tape on the inside, so you can see where the scratch was, then wet-sanding the scratch with 1000 - 1500 grit.
I then used Turtle Wax polishing compound and a damp cotton cloth, and a whole lot of elbow grease and made huge improvements, but didn't get the final finish I wanted. There are other products that go finer, and I will be using some kind of buffer to continue.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

I personally like the 3m headlight restorer the best

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

My favorite is Plast-X by Maguire's(sp?)

Dave Fox

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

I personally try to stay away from Turtle Wax anything. It's ok quality, but there are much better products out there for a few cents more.

Unfortunately in my business the only feedback I get from customers is when they have something that doesn't work, and I haven't had anyone complain about the headlight restore kits in the two years I've sold them, so they probably all work about the same.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

Go with a high quality automotive cleaning or polishing compound. Consider the wetsanding/grit only if you're unsuccessful with the liquid (or paste) polishing compound. You might not need the buffer, just depends on how stubborn the scuffs happen to be. There is a cleaning process on Craig Vetter's website for restoring his products. Vetter now longer markets fairings, but they do still offer replacement wind screens for the line of Vetter products.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

Me too. Plus the plastic polishing paste that's part of the kit is, on its own, a really good product for minor cleanup of clear plastics.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

Plus it usually lasts more than just one set of headlights/windshield.

There's a compound called plastix that is pretty good too, if you can't find a bigger bottle of the 3G compound.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

*3M

Stupid autocorrect. Bad phone. Lol.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

If you decide to take a crack at it with a 3M Polishing Agent and a Buffer, ...

Use a Medium Speed and copious compound.
KEEP the Buffer MOVING.
Buff in increments.
Don't let the the Buffer build-up frictional heat.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

Thanks a lot guys.

I looked in to a few of the aforementioned kits. 3M has great reviews both here and everywhere else on the web. Also, some great before/after pics and vids.

I'm gonna grab a 3M Lens Restore Kit tomorrow. With the plexifairing being so large, hopefully I'll be able to find the one with multiple pads.

I know I'll have to attack it on both sides but I figure starting on the business end(front) will be a good start.

I'll try to take plenty of pics. I know how we love them!

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

Actually, you should start on the inside. It shouldn't need too much work on that side, and it will prevent you from re-doing the front if you put another scratch in the front while doing the inside.

Just a suggestion.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

dually noted! good thinking...

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

Albert, don't airplanes have plastic windshields ? know anybody over at the museum / restoration place by the airport ?
or
i've got a low speed buffer and fluffy wheel with plastic rouge if ya want to give that a try

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/c ... hoff_1.php

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

Post some before/after shots if you dont mind!

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

FYI
Here's somebody's Sho-n-tell.

The Kit probably has better directions.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to- ... r-under-4/

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

There's stuff called glitz polish it's pretty spendy but it work on everything I use it all the time works on paint and plexy glass and plastics.
Some auto parts place has it I've seen it at ace hardware before and a few sporting good stores in the cleaning section but works really good.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

The work has been done. In one word . . . WOW!

Windshield . . . . . . $ 5.00
Microfiber wipe. . . . $ 1.50
3M Lens Restore Kit $22.99

Final result . . . 1 nice azz windshield!!!

Seriously though, I could not have asked for better results. I am 100% impressed! I did put in a solid 6hrs of work though.

I read through the instructions and followed them to a tee. Rushing no parts and taking my time with the tricky bends of the window. As suggested, I started on the inside. I finished all the sanding and moved to the outside. After doing all that sanding, I buffed it all out, front and back. I was left with a windshield that looks new!

It was hard to get good pics of the scratches and coloring so I got a few... I was only able to take 1 after shot, in my living room. I was working on the back porch and the sun no longer favored my company. Lucky, some overhead flood lights got me through.

Here they are. The last one was taken directly from the instructions... HA!

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield?

The rest...

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED. Finished with PICS

I'm not sure I appreciate the full affect, yet.

Maybe if there was a few more pictures.

::: Nice work :::

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED. Finished with PICS

Awesome job.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED. Finished with PICS

Not to disagree with any of the above endorsements...but when I went to clean up the windshield for my project bike (it had a lot of little scratches and a couple big ones..) I did this
I sanded the entire windshield with 1500grit then 2000*(wetsanded) then I just used my buffing wheel and the same buffing compound I use for steel (the white stuff) came out crystal clear !

[Typo corrected: "200" -to- 2000]*
rem

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED. Finished with

I did want to mention one more thing. The kit calls for a standard drill,
1,200 - 1,600 rpms.

I would try to stick to this advice. The Skill drill I used was rated 0 - 2250. It has a progressive trigger though. Furthermore, on that trigger was a turn dial that I used to adjust the rotations. Generally, I was running it at 3/5 power.

Sure, I got curious. I did try full trigger! I quickly verified my suspicions. At full speed the surface began to smear and melt. It will quickly create a heck of a mess as clearing it up can even smear it around.

Here are some more after pics.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED. Finished with

Great. Now I'm getting this . .. "Sorry, you have reached your maximum Upload Quota Limit of 5"

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED. Finished with PICS

Can anybody help me with this error? I keep getting it. Even tried to start a new thread.

Gotta go to work now. Maybe I can figure it out tonight?

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED. Finished with PICS

Just delete alot of your "before" pics -

but WHY did you sand the INSIDE of the windshield?? Unless someone was very aggressive with dirty paper towels, or there was an actual scratch, the inside should need only the finish buff.

I'm still looking to buy the "best" stuff to finish my windshields.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED. Finished with PICS

MB, that's also how I buff plastics, but I only use the aluminum compound (white) when there are deep scratches. Just to clean and de-yellow I use blue compound.

BUT

WE know what we are doing. I don't suggest someone without a lot of experience buff plastics with a bench buffer, because 10 times out of 10 they will melt the plastic the first time.

I actually have practice plastic (and metal) pieces that I keep for breaking in new wheels. Only after the wheel is broken in will I start to buff regular pieces.

Again, bench buffer works great, but not for the beginner.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED. Finished with PICS

nice results man, glad the it worked as promised.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED. Finished with

I went ahead and hit both sides, this time, just to be sure. I picked it up in my car so I wasn't able to size it on the bike. I figured if it doesn't work out on my bike, it will be easier to make a buck if both side are in pristine condition.

I had to remove some older pics from my gallery. Then I was able to add an album titled "windshield". If your interested in better after pics, check them out in my gallery...

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED +pics in gallery

PhotoBucket.com offers you a Photo-storage / Album-oriented Storage service.

Pictures can be stored, edited, and effects added.

Copy and pasting a Link adds the shot to a Forum Post.

 

Re: cleaning up an old windshield? UPDATED +pics in gallery

 

Thanks for the tip RICK. I just never wanted to hassle with the photobucket. Its fairly straight forward though, pretty simple...