Is it possible to polish scratches out of a stock H-D windshield without affecting visual clarity? Somewhere during my recent 3,600 mile road trip, I acquired a fairly significant scratch right in my line of sight. It's not something that I can't live with, but I sure would like to minimize the annoyance of looking at it as much as possible. Are there any products out there that I can use to polish a stock Lexan windshield without ruining it?

 

Novus

 

Sure you could sand it out with wet carbide paper and then buff it. (If it is really scrached and you can fill it with your nail) It would take a power buffer to get it to turn clear again. Never do it by hand. If it is tinted the tint is on inside and nothing can be done on that side. Even a piece of tape left in the sun and pulled off will pull the tint off. I filled some cracks in the finish on this and wet sanded and it looked flat and dull till I hit it on the buffer. Similar thing I think. Just a thought but you windshield should be low enough you should be looking over it while driving.

 

Short and to the point. Thanks dawg.

 

Just a warning, the windshield has a very thin coating on it like a film of Saran Wrap. That is probably what is torn. Very carefully check the edges of the scratch with magnifcation and you will be able to see it. If the film is torn then polishing won't really accomplish anything.

 

At 5'7" and with a LOW touring seat, I'm not sure they make a windshield low enough for me to look over; but I appreciate the advice.

 

If this is a HD 12" shield then the above quote is correct. The HD shield is polycarbonate & coating is actually a sprayed on acrylic. If the scratch is thru the acrylic coating into the polycarbonate base material, you will have to remove all of the acrylic coating.... which is a pain & generally not worth the effort.

Many scratches like this can be repaired by using clear nail polish applied with a very small paint brush. Certain clear detail waxes, ArmorAll & Lemon Pledge will will hid the scratch for awhile but need to be reapplied.

If its a uncoated acrylic windshield, it can be buffed out.

Or... purchase a replacement windshield.

 

Replace it!

 

easy enough to cut the bottom edge with a rotozip or jigsaw to desired height.


Mike

 

The bottom of a batwing windshield has a very specific pattern; not sure it would be that simple. A new shield from one of the major suppliers would be easier and they're not that expensive - they come in a lot of heights too.