Cleaning Windshield
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 16
From: Reading, PA
My wind shield on my'12 RKC has the same rainbow effect mentioned above. I have NEVER used anything but car wash soap on the thing, and it still has the rainbow. I've got to admit though, when the CLEAN windshield is on the bike, I don't notice it. Actually, it is difficult to see.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
Sometimes I wonder what all that "Harley Davidson, safe for windshields" over priced stuff costs. Butt not often........... I've always cleaned my windshield (& whole bike) with a mild dish soap & lots of water. After everything is clean I wax both the bike & windshield with Turtle Wax. No problems with colors, rainbows, distortions, smears, etc. Had a friend email me today about doin' the same to his windshield. He was happy with the results. Reminded me of goin' to 3 or 4 places to have the top replaced on an old convertible. Every one of them asked how I kept the plastic rear window clean for so long. None had ever heard of usin' Turtle Wax on 'em before..
Not to include any oily residue or other substance on the surface....
The rainbow effect is due to the way the polarized sunglasses alter/change the light wave pattern to reduce glare to the eyes. If you look at auto factory tinted windows thru polarized lenses you may see different patterns in the glass. The naked eye can not see the rainbow pattern because it only sees natural light waves.
The better plastic windshields that have a high percentage of UVA & UVB solar protection in it will also show a rainbow pattern when viewed using polarized sunglasses. The rainbow shows up more on a clear to lightly tinted shield vs the darker tinted shields.
The Aero windshield has high levels of both UVA & UVB formulated into the material to protect it from long term exposure from the sun.
The rainbow effect is due to the way the polarized sunglasses alter/change the light wave pattern to reduce glare to the eyes. If you look at auto factory tinted windows thru polarized lenses you may see different patterns in the glass. The naked eye can not see the rainbow pattern because it only sees natural light waves.
The better plastic windshields that have a high percentage of UVA & UVB solar protection in it will also show a rainbow pattern when viewed using polarized sunglasses. The rainbow shows up more on a clear to lightly tinted shield vs the darker tinted shields.
The Aero windshield has high levels of both UVA & UVB formulated into the material to protect it from long term exposure from the sun.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I had a FatBoy with a detachable shield, the ONLY thing I used on it was a towel with VERY HOT WATER... best thing to clean any windshield.
The shield lasts forever. Never put anything on a windshield but water.
The Electra Glide will only see hot water... (on the shield)
My 2 Cents
The shield lasts forever. Never put anything on a windshield but water.
The Electra Glide will only see hot water... (on the shield)
My 2 Cents
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
Its flashbacks from your youth. Bet you were warned that would come back to bite you in the ***.... 
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
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From: Mountain Top, Alabama
I ride with Oakleys, and my polorized lens show what you were talking about, including on windows of other cars like Jim was referring to. With non polorized lens, the effect is greatly reduced.
Always keep in mind to take care of the coating on your windshield. I like to gently wet it first for bugs and stuff, let 'em get soft, and I use Plexus with clean microfiber towels. You want to avoid swirls and scratches. Be aware about anything that could scratch - even coarse paper towels.
The polorized glare thru the glasses are just a nature of the beast. No pilots will wear them, you can not function with them at all when sky visibility is critical. What we encounter on our bikes is much less than the reflective glare you get at 35,000 feet from the sun above and the clouds below with air traffic above, below, and beside you criss crossing at high speeds with a sleepy headed AT Controller deep into a long shift supposedly looking out for you.
Ride safe!
Always keep in mind to take care of the coating on your windshield. I like to gently wet it first for bugs and stuff, let 'em get soft, and I use Plexus with clean microfiber towels. You want to avoid swirls and scratches. Be aware about anything that could scratch - even coarse paper towels.
The polorized glare thru the glasses are just a nature of the beast. No pilots will wear them, you can not function with them at all when sky visibility is critical. What we encounter on our bikes is much less than the reflective glare you get at 35,000 feet from the sun above and the clouds below with air traffic above, below, and beside you criss crossing at high speeds with a sleepy headed AT Controller deep into a long shift supposedly looking out for you.
Ride safe!
Last edited by TheGrandPoohBah; Sep 13, 2012 at 12:19 PM.
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