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Is it possible to polish my 98 RK Classic windshield? I understand the materials have changed over the years. I tried a bit of Novus from the local shop on part of it, it took scratches out but also left a hazy look.
Novus has 3 levels of polish , if used correctly there probably is no equal.
I use PLEXUS, not on my windshield , because I never put that "thing" on my bike , but I use it on pretty much everything else.
An amazing product, but WAY overpriced up here in Canada 44.00 a GD can. It was only 11.00 a can when I first started using it , but it works so damn beautifully I keep using it.
NO paper towels, and use very sparingly.
However, on a windshield heavily crusted with bugs and filthy….I’ll often take a towel and soak it in HOT water. Then droop the hot wet towel on the windshield for several minutes.
After the towel is removed, I find the bugs and grime to come off easier with very little wiping or spraying. I think it’s easier on the windshield and less likely of scratching.
I think i was ignorant of windshield when i got the bike, made some bad wiping decisions (eeww...)
late day sun made trouble for me, i used the level 2 novus light scratch remover, but it looks a bit hazy and there appears to be a factory coating deteriorating , hard to photo but visible at edge of light
Is it possible to polish my 98 RK Classic windshield? I understand the materials have changed over the years. I tried a bit of Novus from the local shop on part of it, it took scratches out but also left a hazy look.
The factory windshield for that year has a coating.
Novus is a brand of products that usually has numbers to determine grit or cleaning ability.
Attempting to polish past coating layer (like when trying to remove a scratch) will destroy the coating.
It will create a weird effect that will be more visible if wearing polarized sun glasses.
Almost looks like a delamination.
Polishing off the entire coating is really difficult because you would need to remove shield from supports and then use 1000, 2000 and 3000 sandpaper.
Then go back with a compound to somewhat balance the damaged part.
It is a beast of a job.
Pictures are hard to detail but it looks like shield has diminished clarity.
As a "rescue" to disguise the current damage while deciding on new shield try to use a very fine compound and then a wax.
Best to order a new shield.
Consider a shield with a recurve at the top..
My stepson maintained the space suits for NASA astronauts, before Obama ended our space program and fired him. He said that they (that is, he) used the Novus products to polish the space suit face shields.
I’ve cleaned up windshields as well as turn table acrylic tops with good results.
I use a random orbital sander and course foam pad, with automotive compound… do the whole thing using a bit of force, then a lighter compound like 3m’s “finesse it” with a softer pad. Then finish with novus and a polishing pad. It’s a bit time consuming, but not all that difficult.
Ended up getting new from the aftermarket (exact copy of original) . Cee Bailey. Unfortunately, they no longer make wind screens for bikes.
This company does and they are not the coated plastic like the original. Solid acrylic so polishing is not and issue. I also use the Novus products to clean and polish out scratches.
Windshield polish?
