Cleaning the windscreen

[atavar]

I was prepping the bike to go down to the Last Thursday M/G when I noticed how scratched the windscreen on the Norge was.  It had lots of bug divots and some negligent scuff marks from taking the windscreen off and setting it down without benefit of a towel to protect it.  I never noticed until I got the rest of the bike semi-detailed and then the windscreen defects really stood out.
I was all set to order a new windscreen and thought wth, I might as well try some snake oil product seeing as I was going to replace the windscreen and had little to lose.
What I picked up was a bottle of McGuires PlastX headlight restorer, figuring at the worst I'd be throwing away $6.  I applied it with a 6" terry applicator pad according to directions.  To my surprise the stuff works like a damn!  The scratches are still there but the stuff polishes the edges of the scratches so you can hardly see them.  It took out all the very light scuffs, and for some reason the Lexan crazing (those geometric stress sun sparkles you get after a few years) are gone!  If you use this stuff they aren't kidding when they say wipe off before it dries, btw.  If you let it dry you need to reapply to get the old stuff off.
I don't know how permanent this will be but I am amazed and very pleased with the results. 
I followed this up with my favorite window cleaner (Invisible Glass) and the overall effect is astounding.  I really wish I had taken before pictures but i didn't expect the results to be so dramatic. 


My two black beauties ----



By the way, Turtle Wax Black Wax is the bomb for black vehicles.  Works better and easier than all the expensive fancy stuff.

[Wayne Orwig]

It bent the rear tire on the car!  :o




 :BEER:

[Kev m]

I finally started using PLEXUS last year...holy crap, worth every penny.

[cwiseman]

Dollar General lemon pledge is the best I've found. Spray on let sit for 3 minutes and the bugs wipe right off. Turn towel to a dry area and wipe again. Crystal clear and keeps stuff from sticking.
My windshield was getting that white look to it. Due to minor scratches and after the pledge it was clear as could be. Cost about 3 dollars

[atavar]

I finally started using PLEXUS last year...holy crap, worth every penny.

I tried the Plexus last year, i was not impressed for the work and the price.

[Wayne Orwig]

I finally started using PLEXUS last year...holy crap, worth every penny.

I find Pledge to be almost as good, and a LOT cheaper.

[JayDee24ca]

Yup. Use da Pledge. Cheap, works good. Smells great too!  :)
JD

[Moto Fugazzi]

Thanks for the tip, Atavar. Looks great!
Ken

[canuguzzi]

I haven't found anything better than Klasse. I use the red cleaner and polish for general cleaning and then finish off with the silver can of sealer. Its a 2 times a year thing and just water in between because nothing will stick to the windscreen.

It is very pricey but you use very little. You can use it all over the bike, plastics, metal, black plastics if it gets on rubber, no white mess.

[Rich A]

You can buff out minor scratches using your favorite plastic polish and a Dremel tool with a buffing wheel. Of course you have to be careful not to get the plastic too hot and you'll splatter the polish all over when you do this. But you can smooth the edges of the scratches enough that you'll hardly notice them.

Rich

[M0T0Geezer]

I find Pledge to be almost as good, and a LOT cheaper.

;-T  ;-T
I've used Pledge spray furniture polish (both lemon & orange) on my guitars and motorcycles for 50 years.
Works great; smells great.

Good to use on helmet visor too.

[Kev m]

I've got nothing against Pledge --- I keep it in the garage and have, over the years, used it on helmets, screens, and bikes.

But for me, Plexus (and using it regularly, like a quick wipedown of the face shield and windscreen at the end of each day's riding) seems to work a LOT better than Pledge. The bug juice really seems to come off quicker and to stick less afterwards than with the Plexus. And a can last me a year so, I'm not that put off by the price.

[andrewdonald1]

I finally started using PLEXUS last year...holy crap, worth every penny.

I love PLEXUS.
But damn they are awful proud of it.
But every time I swear under my breath at the cash register, I love it in the field. 
I use it to clean the stelvio when it has light dust or bugs on it.
So far, I've managed to not have to wash the bike very much by maintaining it with plexus.

Riding/Time is more important right now in my life than monkeying around washing the bike.

[Wayne Orwig]

I've got nothing against Pledge --- I keep it in the garage and have, over the years, used it on helmets, screens, and bikes.

But for me, Plexus (and using it regularly, like a quick wipedown of the face shield and windscreen at the end of each day's riding) seems to work a LOT better than Pledge. The bug juice really seems to come off quicker and to stick less afterwards than with the Plexus. And a can last me a year so, I'm not that put off by the price.

Sure, I too keep a small can of Plexus in the saddlebag to get the bugs of the shield while on a trip. But a large can is about $17, which is stupid IMHO. So at home the cheap pledge comes out for the big jobs. And I really can't find much difference between the Plexus and the Pledge.
Plexus used to be $7 or $8 for the large cans. Then about 2 years ago the price doubled. What was up with that? Someone at the corporation has a new business jet they want me to help pay for?

[LowRyter]

The Cycle Gear Plexus product is about $6.  I think Pledge at the dollar store sounds like a better deal.

[jetmechmarty]

PlastX rocks!


My MG windscreen was driven into the street.  Considering the cost of a new one, I picked a spot to see if I can repair it.  I started with 100 grit sandpaper and advanced to 1500, followed by polishing compound.  All done by hand.  I finished the spot with PlastX.  Yep, it's great and I'm going to save this windscreen!

[Bill929]

Good to know.  I recently asked a counter guy at the auto parts store for plexiglass polish and they had none.  I asked if the Maguire's would work on plexiglass and he said he had no idea, so I didn't try it.

[Kentktk]

Good to know.  I recently asked a counter guy at the auto parts store for plexiglass polish and they had none.  I asked if the Maguire's would work on plexiglass and he said he had no idea, so I didn't try it.

I wouldn`t trust the counter guy if he said it would work.

[old as dirt 2]

stop using GLASS cleaner on plastic. too much ammonia in it.

use a good plastic polish  like plexus, or similar. these won't harm the plastic and make it old before it needs to be like those stress cracks you have. they also won't leave that greasy feeling like furniture polish does.

[jetmechmarty]

The paperwork that came with my National Cycle windscreen said I can use car wax on it.  It's tempered Plexiglas.

[fred garvin]

Check the rainx directions. If I recall, they do not recommend using it on plastics.

[drums4money]

It bent the rear tire on the car!  :o




 :BEER:

That's the Cadillac "Salvador Dali" special edition.  ;D

& thanks for the tip on the turtle wax black.

[Park Ridge Phil]

Protect-All works well also. Otherwise I use Meguiars gold class wax. Both work well.

[atavar]

That's the Cadillac "Salvador Dali" special edition.  ;D

& thanks for the tip on the turtle wax black.

lol, it is actually the tank bag (dog riding seat) that looks like it is part of the car.  Just an unfortunate bad angle.