Windshield refinishing

[Beekman]

Hey vetterland

Does anyone have experience refinishing or buffing out their windshield? Mine is still plenty clear to see through but it is noticably cloudier than looking above the windshield. It is only really a bother at night when headlight glare really saturates the windshield.

I can see micro scratches all over it, they are uniform though and in a circular motion, almost like it was wiped with something just a little too rough.

Has anyone here restored a windshield to a perfectly clear "glass like" finish? Or is a new windshield the way to go?

Thanks

 

[Kynan C.]

Thats a good question, I have not Beekman, lets see if anybody else chimes in. They do it to plastic car headlights, why not the windshield?

 

[Larry Fine]

Novus: https://www.novuspolish.com/

 

[BeachedSquirrel]

You should be able to do it. For the process, look into how people polish their scratched acrylic fish tanks. That will give you a process to follow and products to use.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2346208

 

[rob.lafady]

I had a windscreen that was just terribly scratched up, I used the polishing kit for headlights on it and it worked pretty well, so if yours isn't that bad to start, I don't see why it wouldn't work for you.

 

[Beekman]

Okay thanks guys, im gonna try first toothpaste (my dad swares by it for cleaning car headlights)

Then probably a polishing kit of some kind. Ill take pics

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[Larry Fine]

A paste is probably more abrasive than a gel.

 

[Saxonplace]

I have used a Hob cleaner liquid for glass / ceramic hobs, also used it to clean old paint off the inside of fairing without leaving scratches.

 

[Beekman]

I have used a Hob cleaner liquid for glass / ceramic hobs.

Sorry...Hobs? Haha not sure I know what you mean


I tried toothpaste, cleaned up the surface very nicely but as far as polishing out scratches, I think it only succeeded in making more very fine scratches

 

[Saxonplace]

Sorry...Hobs? Haha not sure I know what you mean


I tried toothpaste, cleaned up the surface very nicely but as far as polishing out scratches, I think it only succeeded in making more very fine scratches

Try "Glass or Ceramic Cooktop"?

 

[Beekman]

Ahhhh yes, the stovetop.

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[Saxonplace]

Ahhhh yes, the stovetop.

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Yes I had to "google" what you guys over there called it!

 

[bugdaddy66]

A few things I have learned riding behind a windshield the past 35 years....

- NEVER wash your windshield! By this I mean don't scrub it with anything like a wash mitt or a rag, you will get scratches. I have found a pressure washer or power car wash the best way to remove bugs, dirt, ect without damaging the surface. Follow with good plastic cleaner.
- Meguiars #17 plastic cleaner and #10 plastic polish can keep a windshield in great shape virtually forever. These product were designed for aircraft use originally, and when used together give a crystal clear and static free surface. I had nearly 100,000 miles on my XS1100 with the same windshield, still as clear as new.
- I have used products like rainex when I rode in the great northwest, and have mixed feelings. Works well at shedding water, but the coating creates lots of static charge on the windshield that attracts dust, so I don't use it anymore. A clean and polished windshield does a good job of shedding water at speed.

I have not tried the headlight buffing kit on the windshield, haven't had the need, but the kits are great for restoring turn signals and tail lights that have minor scuffs. Mask off around the leading edge signals on your Vetter fairing and polish with one of these kits, makes them better than new!

 

[Kynan C.]

Great tips, thanks bugdaddy.

 

[michael_pickell]

may want to try all-kleer