Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cleaning windshield...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 22, 2011 | 11:01 PM
  #1  
ahhwataday's Avatar
ahhwataday
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Rockville, VA
Default Cleaning windshield...

Well when I bought my bike it came with quit a few upgrades. One of witch being the windshield. Last owner told me that after riding with the shield I will never want to ride with out it.

I took it off of the bike and onto craigs list. Immediately found a buyer and I took it inside to clean up....Weeeelll, bad idea. I took a dish washing sponge yellow with thinner green top, and starting scrubbing with the yellow side. it had a few spots that were tuffer to remove so I used the green side. I had it submerged in soapy water so I thought i was getting it clean. I raise it up and I screwed it all up. The green side scratched the surface in three or four spots i scrubbed harder.

UNBELIEVABLE! How depresing. I wish I hadnt tried to clean it Well the guy was already close to my house so No point in telling him to turn around.

When he got here I pointed it out and told him what happened. He appreciated my honesty but wanted to see if I could fix it before he takes it.

What should be used to clean and dry the shield??? I am also going to take it to harley and see what kinds of polishes they have and how I should apply it. i cannot believe how sensitive this plexiglass it (or how tuff the sponge is)
I figured it takes abuse from small rocks all day why not a sponge? Puh, I was wrong. It was flawless before I messed with it.


Ill try to post pics of the scratches later:

before
 

Last edited by ahhwataday; Sep 22, 2011 at 11:10 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2011 | 12:28 AM
  #2  
dwagar's Avatar
dwagar
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 65
From: Calgary AB
Default

I've never tried one, but there are kits out there to clean/polish plastic car headlights, that might work.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2011 | 01:45 AM
  #3  
Buckinfitch's Avatar
Buckinfitch
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,870
Likes: 4,083
From: Taylortucky, MI
Supporter
Default

lesson learned here: never use pot/pan scrubber on motorcycle windshield
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2011 | 02:02 AM
  #4  
DOMAPOI's Avatar
DOMAPOI
Stellar HDF Member
Photogenic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 27
From: San Diego, CA
Default

Look in your yellow pages and see if there is a business in town that sells plexiglass sheeting and other plexiglass stuff. They should be able to provide you with something to polish it out if anybody can. They place we have here is called RidOut Plastics, maybe one also in your area.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2011 | 02:08 AM
  #5  
2black1s's Avatar
2black1s
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default

Deleted
 

Last edited by 2black1s; Sep 23, 2011 at 02:13 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2011 | 02:09 AM
  #6  
2black1s's Avatar
2black1s
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default

Originally Posted by ahhwataday
...(or how tuff the sponge is)...
Duh! Scotchbrite on a plastic windshield? Sorry you screwed it up but c'mon. Hate to say so, but you deserve it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2011 | 07:44 AM
  #7  
Sharkman73's Avatar
Sharkman73
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
Default

I've tried all kinds of products to take scratches out of plexiglas with no results.
I have a windshield now, and I spray it down with windex & let it sit for a minute or so, then take a damp micro-fiber cloth and rub it down and even have to get rough with it sometimes to get all the bugs off and never caused a scratch using this method. I've said it before, but micro-fiber is your friend when washing, waxing, polishing and cleaning...won't use anything else on my bike, or my truck for that matter.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2011 | 04:39 PM
  #8  
ahhwataday's Avatar
ahhwataday
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Rockville, VA
Default

Originally Posted by Buckinfitch
lesson learned here: never use pot/pan scrubber on motorcycle windshield
yep, MOHS harness scale the windshield was harder than the sponge lol


Originally Posted by DOMAPOI
Look in your yellow pages and see if there is a business in town that sells plexiglass sheeting and other plexiglass stuff. They should be able to provide you with something to polish it out if anybody can. They place we have here is called RidOut Plastics, maybe one also in your area.
Good idea. I was gonna try harley out first but I may have better results else were.

Originally Posted by 2black1s
Duh! Scotchbrite on a plastic windshield? Sorry you screwed it up but c'mon. Hate to say so, but you deserve it.
Riiiight, I deserve the scratches for trying to help out a 65 year old fellow rider? Thats like me saying you deserve to die since you are inconsiderate...You shoulda stuck with "deleted"

Perhaps you were born knowing everything and have never learned anything and especially never learned the hard way

Originally Posted by Sharkman73
but micro-fiber is your friend when washing, waxing, polishing and cleaning...won't use anything else on my bike, or my truck for that matter.

Ill pick up a few. The only one I had had dirt in it so I didnt wanna scratch it lol. The sponge is used on glass, ceramics, plastic dishes and cups, what would it hurt right? hahaha, Live and learn
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2011 | 04:49 PM
  #9  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

Just an FYI:

One of our sponsors, Cee Bailey's, offers windshield restoration service for $50.00.

CAUTION: polishing can be done on acrylic (Plexiglas) windshields. If your windshield is polycarbonate (Lexan), it likely has a protective coating on it which polishing will destroy.

"Please be advised that the majority of most original equipment manufactures shields are made out of polycarbonate AKA Lexan. Shields manufactured out of Polycarbonate are usually clearly stamped on the lower portion of the shield. They are identified by PC, GE, Lexan, or Polycarbonate. If any of these engraved stamps are present we can not attempt restoration."


 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2011 | 06:37 PM
  #10  
HarleyScuba's Avatar
HarleyScuba
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
Default

There are companies that sell replacement plastic. Here's one of the more popular:
http://www.memphisshades.com/harley-...arley-davidson
You're right. We all learn by doing. Good on you for trying.
Good luck.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:11 PM.