Scratched windshield
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 777
Likes: 36
From: Woodland Hills, CA
Scratched windshield
So I put the windshield on the new (to me) Heritage for the first time. It has a couple decent sized scratches right in my line of sight that are annoying. Anyone know if it's possible to get them out? What is the best way to go about it? Thanks!
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: NW Suburbs Chicago
I've never found a solution to "Decent" sized scratches ~ I've had luck with whitening toothpaste and patience. The paste has to have a bit of grit to do any good. But to be honest....nothing really gets to deep scratches. Either cut it down so you don't look thru the windshield or grab a new one - Plenty out there for around a $100.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 147
Likes: 3
From: Kentucky
Depending on the scratch, I have had pretty good luck with Novus products. I think you can get them at most Harley dealers, as well as auto parts stores.
http://www.novuspolish.com/products.html
http://www.novuspolish.com/products.html
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 726
Likes: 3
From: Pacific Northwest
I bought a used windshield with a deep scratch right in my line of sight too. Tried the 3 step Novus product, but as mentioned above, it won't work on deep scratches. Bothered me at first; my eyes were drawn right to it, but bottom line, a few years later and I don't even notice it.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: NW Suburbs Chicago
LOL - Ask 10 people get 10 different suggestions. Done it once....First put tape down the top down about 4". Make marks about 1" apart starting at the top. Drive it to figure out how far ya want to cut it down. carefully layout cut lines {nice if you have another windshield to copy the curve}.
Now - Check U-tube for the thousand suggestions. I opped for high speed dremmel tool...again worked for me. I also cut mine with it on the bike. it was the best way for me to hold it steady. Now wait for the other suggestions, they will most likely all work.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
The Novus is good stuff. I'm probably going to get an argument on this, but the windshield has a coating on it and if you try to remove anything but fine scratches you'll cut through the coating and it will look like hell. I know, because I've done it. Rather than waste time on it just buy a replacement at Harley. If I remember correctly its about $120 and it comes with replacement tape.
As far as the coating I asked several different dealers if it was coated before i began. Their answers were a split between yes and no. But, I found out first hand it is..
As far as the coating I asked several different dealers if it was coated before i began. Their answers were a split between yes and no. But, I found out first hand it is..
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
if its in your line of sight its a little too high..
I cut my Heritage's shield down almost 3''s,, its now 18'' from the cut out above the headlight to the top of the shield... My stock shield was 21''s
Now I look over it not through it...
I cut my Heritage's shield down almost 3''s,, its now 18'' from the cut out above the headlight to the top of the shield... My stock shield was 21''s
Now I look over it not through it...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
I have cut down windshields several times with good success. The easiest way is to find someone with a band saw with a fine tooth blade. If that isn't an option you can use a hacksaw with a fine blade. This method is slow going so just be patient. I can tell you that I don't recommend a jig saw as the cut is just too rough and its too easy to screw up. The key is to tape up the line you want to cut and then take your time. After cutting it wont be smooth. Use a block sander and start with coarse sand paper to sand it down to the correct shape and to get the rough edges removed. Then progressively use finer and finer sand paper. End with 1500 grit sand paper and the edges will look finished just like the rest of it. Tape everything up all around it so you don't accidently scratch it. You can make it look really good but be fore warned it takes time and a lot of sanding.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: MA
General rule of thumb is to have the top of the windshield even with the tip of your nose when you are sitting on the bike in riding position. Cutting the windshield is easy. Take a piece of cardboard (or heavy paper) and place it on the windshield so it is higher then the top of the shield. Now trace the top curve of the shield on the paper. Take scissors and cut the paper on the curved line. This will be a template to use later. Put Blue painters tape in the general area you think you are going to cut. Now sit on the bike in your usual riding position. Have someone mark the tape in the center of the windshield that is even with the tip of your nose. Take your template and tape it to the windshield in line with this mark. Using the template, draw the curved line which will represent the top of the windshield after you have made the cut. Now remove the template. This is all done with the shield on the bike. Lay a cloth or towel over the front fender to prevent scratches. I have used a jig saw with a fine tooth blade. Taking your time, cut the windshield along the curved line you drew (from the template) on the painters tape on the windshield. Once the cut is complete, take sandpaper (with a block) and smooth of the edge of the windshield. Start with rough grit and work don to fine grit paper. I cannot remember what I started with. It could have been 120 grit and then worked down to 1500 grit. I then took some auto headlight restoring polish and polished the edge. The shield will now look like a factory shield. Definitely check it out on You Tube to get more clarification, but this is generally, how it is done. Last shield I cut took maybe an hour.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Good luck!
Good luck!