Polishing a Windshield

[Nessism]

Windscreen on the 1000S had super glue on it from the PO's attempt to attach some cowl trim, and lots of scratches and haze. Was planning to order a new one but decide to give polishing a try. Sanded out the defects using progressively finer sand paper (up to 2000 grit) and then starting polishing using a DA and Meguiar's PlastX. http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12310 Took a few applications but looks like brand new now. Glad I didn't spend $100 on a new screen.


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[Greg B]

Very nice.
Did that years ago with my Katana windscreen. Now all my bikes need it again.

 

[makenzie71]

I used three steps of progressively finer rubbing compound...works great. I need a new buffing wheel, though.

 

[bonanzadave]

Nice job !!

Micro Surface is a company I go to for tips on polishing acrylic airplane windows.

https://micro-surface.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=17

 

[Dave8338]

Nice job Ed, LOOKS GREAT! For those who may not know what a DA is...it is an air powered 5-10" orbital disk sander. They even work nicely on glass.

Are you going to treat it to a FAT dose of Rain X ? I love the stuff.

 

[Nessism]

Nice job Ed, LOOKS GREAT! For those who may not know what a DA is...it is an air powered 5-10" orbital disk sander. They even work nicely on glass.

Are you going to treat it to a FAT dose of Rain X ? I love the stuff.

Thanks Dave, bought the DA today - 6" "Drill Master" electric polisher jobby from Harbor Freight for $11. Paid for itself already.

Rain X good for plastic? I just happen to have some...:-k

 

[Planecrazy]

I used Plast-X on my Vetter windshield recently, as it's covered with scratches. I haven't completed the job yet, but the windshield is much improved from where it was. I also have used Rain-X on it (and on my cages), and that stuff rocks!

Years ago, when Rain-X was "newfangled," I drove from Chicago to Louisville in a torrential rainstorm and without exaggerating I can honestly say that I barely used the windshield wipers during that six hour trek. To say I was astonished at how good the stuff was is an understatement! Now I may have to visit my local Harbor freight and get that polisher so that the windshield can return to "pristine!"

Regards,

 

[Dave8338]

Thanks Dave, bought the DA today - 6" "Drill Master" electric polisher jobby from Harbor Freight for $11. Paid for itself already.

Rain X good for plastic? I just happen to have some...:-k

VERY! Use it on the helmet visors this time of year and it really works great on the sled head gear, in the snow and slush. :-\\\

 

[ukilme]

That is a wicked job on the screen. I had always wondered if it would work.

 

[SVSooke]

Used Meguiar's headlight restoration kit as the last step in getting the paint off the screen on my 85.See this http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=162364 thread.Thought it worked pretty good.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Useful info. Thanks!

Useful info. Thanks!

Ed, you didn't post any BEFORE photos of that windshield. How bad was it really?

HELP!
This shield is in bad shape, but I can still use it for track days. I was thinking of using epoxy and fiberglass tape to repair the crack. Then painting it, but I'd much rather polish it to clear.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[jwhelan65]

Great info Ed, I wished now I wouldn't have thrown old ones away over the years.

 

[Nessism]

Ed, you didn't post any BEFORE photos of that windshield. How bad was it really?

HELP!
This shield is in bad shape, but I can still use it for track days. I was thinking of using epoxy and fiberglass tape to repair the crack. Then painting it, but I'd much rather polish it to clear.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

Bill,
I'd throw that thing in the trash and look for a new/used one. Last thing you need is to have the windscreen crack in half at 100 mph. Someone on one of the Katana sites is sure to have one that you can polish up.

Regarding how bad it was, the worst thing was the super glue - several inch long globs. Sanded those out with 320 grit, then 400...600...800...1000...1500...2000. Also had a lot of small scratches so by the time I got to the 1000 grit the entire windscreen was sanded. It looked frosted at that point. The polish really brings it back.

If you want more evidence you might want to go to You Tube and check out some of the headlamp restoration videos. They make kits to polish out the haze and restore the clarity. 3M makes a nice kit but it's much more expensive than just doing it yourself with common materials. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t1RBw0IGXA

Hope this helps.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Sure does!

Sure does!

Thanks Ed!
Bill

 

[Mrs. Steve]

Rain X good for plastic? I just happen to have some...:-k

As much as Mr. Steve & I love and use Rain X on our car windshields I have heard Mr. Steve advise against using it on any plastic type material. There is something in Rain X that messes with the scratch protection layer on plastic. So while it seems to be great in helping the rain roll off it will cause the plastic to develop scratches during cleaning.
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[chuck hahn]

Maguires SCRATCH X does a decent job and will also spiffy up the turn signals and tail lights as well

 

[crazypaint]

why not just wax them does trhe same thing as rain ex do it in my truck all the time

 

[chuck hahn]

wax wont remove the scratches and resurface the windshield though!!

 

[Dave8338]

Use the Rain-X Ed...use it. :-#

 

[JEEPRUSTY]

Use the Rain-X Ed...use it. :-#

Rain X is the greatest thing in the world
It builds up over time and you should clean the windshield well prior to applications.

You can drive in torrential rain with it but I would never put it on plastic without doing a small test patch the aqueous vehicle it uses seems pretty harsh./