Windshield scratch repair

[PBJ]

After picking up my 85 Royale In May one of the first things I noticed was that the windshield had been scratched along the top edge. There was also a film on the inside of the windshield i'm assuming was some kind of anti-glare film. It was deteriorating and flaking off. The previous owner I believe tried to remove the film with some kind of abrassive and had scratched the windshield in a three inch area along the top edge, right in my line of vision. A new windshield was going to be my firest repalcement part and several members had already pointed me to several on E-bay for about $75.00.

 

While at Wally world yesterday I noticed a product called QUIXX repair system Acrylic Scrtach Remover. Part of me didn't believe it would work because my winshield was pretty clouded but for @$9 bucks i figured it wasn't much of a loss.

 

I got to worK on it right away and tested it on a small part of the clouded area. The stuff is white and creamy and just seemed to smear into the plexiglass. The instructions say to rub it in hard.At first I don't think I was rubbing it in hard enough so I added a little more and rubbed harder. It seemed to be clearing.

 

I spent the next hour slowly and firmly rubbing in compound in circular motions and watching the clouding get clearer and clearer using several more small applications of additional compound. The stuff never completely blended into the windshield and disappeared so i went to my old stand by all purpose cleaner Pledge Clean and shine with Orange. When I got done wiping off the Pledge and the residual cleaner I was shocked ! The windshield looked like new. The cloudiness was gone. A few of the deeper scratchs could be seen at an angle in the sun light but the general abrasive area was cleared.

 

On top of that after cleaning out the cloth that come withthe kit I started to wipe the inside of the shield where the flaky film was and the wet cloth with a bit of the compound still in it started to remove the film as well.Several hours of work and a $9.00 box of Quixx and the windshield looks like new. I'll try to get some pix up later today. I regret i didn't think to take some before shots. I really didn't expect it to work so well. Phil.

[whozleft]

That's great to hear. We get kind of sceptiacl at times, so it's nice to know that there are some products that can deliver. I''m also glad you saved yourself a ton of money not having to buy a replacement shield right away. You'd spend that much time cleaning on the bike eventually anyway. so all in all....you WON!

 

Ride safe.

[PBJ]

Thanks! Yes I did win . And I agree its nice to see a product actually do what it says it will do. Just as an addendum ,there are also two deeper scratch in the middle of my shield that looks like may have been left by a radar detecter or ez pass unit The compound did lessen them but they were still visible. So this stuff may not remove deep gouges. But there is 1600 grit sand paper with the kit and with repeated working I might be able to get them completely out but i'm still working on them. I let everyone know of my progress.

[juggler]

Dang, sounds good. I wonder if this would be safe to use on a Clearview windshield? I uh scratched mine up a bit. Ooops.

[PBJ]

I'd say try it . I got it at wally world for about $9.00 . It takes a little elbow grease and repeated applications depending on the scratchs depth. If it doesn't work your not out much . If it does you just saved yourself the price of a new windshield.

[thumper1]

thanks for the tip. we got a 97 rstd resently with a windshield that is pretty bad with spiderweb scratches. i will give that stuff a try. another product that works great on whitewall tires is the magic eraser by mr clean. no solvents just alittle water and it works well. not real durable but good for a number of uses.

ride safe and be cool, thumper1

[PBJ]

Yes I 've used that Magic eraser and I agree its fantastic.

[bill p]

Just a few more tips from a guy who makes part of his living cleaning fogged headlamp lenss.

 

1 go to a auto paint supply store and get some 2000 grit wet and d ry sand paper.

2 use it with plenty of soapy water,, a spray bottle works great.

3 Sand till the deep scratch is gone ,, use fresh pieces of wet paper, do not let it clog . pack the paper . Did I say lots of soapy water!

4 polish the affected area with your polish,, or you can use automotive rubbing compounds. start with medium cut, or swirl removing compound then go to mirror glaze compound. you will be amazed at the results.

 

NOTICE: this type of refurbishing removes the hard coating on the plastic. dont do it on a wind shield that is ok , try pledge first. then ,and only then, resorte to the above steps.

My 88 VR was very bad when I got the bike and it has served me well for over 60000 miles .

PS it will remove the shaded areas on the inside be careful, if you want to keep it.

 

Bill P

[PBJ]

Thats another great tip thanks Bill. I'll remember that for my car.

[Yammer Dan]

I have two flip-up shields for 3/4 helmets I paid about 40 bucks each for. The fog coating went bad on them and scratches also. Do you think this Wally World stuff would bring them back?? Sounds like worth a try.

[pick]

well, after readuing this post I went Sat to Wally world and got me a tube. Mine isn't so bad, I'll let ya know the results when I finish!

[timgray]

where at wally world? automotive, hardware, home cleaning? I cant find it anywhere.

[MikeM8560]

The best stuff out there Is 210 plastic cleaner and polish. it made for aircraft windows but you can find in in most marine stores also. I use it on my window and all my plastic . great for a quick clean on the paint also.

http://www.boatfix.com/eshop/54822.jpg

http://www.boatfix.com/shop2/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=52185

[KICKSHOT]

I found the Quixx in the automotive section at walmart with the auto wax and stuff like that. It is a small box and you need to be looking hard to find it. It did a good job on my windshield. I was about ready to buy a new one but not now. They also had a clear coat scratch remover, if it works as well as the other well then I can see some saddlebag lids getting touched up.

kickshot

[Alex]

WOW...stuff worked really well...but that is a mighty lil piece of sandpaper...I picked up a pack of 2000 grit right next to the Quixxx for future use. I topped off the repaired area with some "Ice" polish, looks like new. Oh, my damage was from Loctite Blue...it apparently has a reaction to the polycarbonite or the coating...turns it milky. Thanks for the tips, all.

[Guest Ken8143]

Just a few more tips from a guy who makes part of his living cleaning fogged headlamp lenss.

 

1 go to a auto paint supply store and get some 2000 grit wet and d ry sand paper.

2 use it with plenty of soapy water,, a spray bottle works great.

3 Sand till the deep scratch is gone ,, use fresh pieces of wet paper, do not let it clog . pack the paper . Did I say lots of soapy water!

4 polish the affected area with your polish,, or you can use automotive rubbing compounds. start with medium cut, or swirl removing compound then go to mirror glaze compound. you will be amazed at the results.

 

NOTICE: this type of refurbishing removes the hard coating on the plastic. dont do it on a wind shield that is ok , try pledge first. then ,and only then, resorte to the above steps.

My 88 VR was very bad when I got the bike and it has served me well for over 60000 miles .

PS it will remove the shaded areas on the inside be careful, if you want to keep it.

 

Bill P

 

Want to make sure I get this right. This process is for auto headlights that are fogged? I tried some of my scratch repair stuff I have for the cycle. Didn't touch it. So 2000 grit wet sand paper for the plastic cover over the headlight on the car, huh?