How to remove scratches on windshields
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 415
Likes: 149
From: new zealand
I like all the guys who say buy a new one....GOOD ONE! Why stop there, just get a whole new bike! Or get new EYES even that dont focus on the light scrathes. Perhaps ride where there are lots of scantily clad women about, I dont even see if I have a shield on in thoes situations.
They are right in that its pretty difficult to fix once there are scratches, I think you imagine you are happier after you buy products, spend alot of time polishing, and then put your sparkley clean shield back on the bike, 2 weeks later, your seems like your looking at the same light scratches.
The approach I took after all my bikes and shields, Try and take the best care you can take care of, and accept what you have that you cannot take care of.
They are right in that its pretty difficult to fix once there are scratches, I think you imagine you are happier after you buy products, spend alot of time polishing, and then put your sparkley clean shield back on the bike, 2 weeks later, your seems like your looking at the same light scratches.
The approach I took after all my bikes and shields, Try and take the best care you can take care of, and accept what you have that you cannot take care of.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
there is a plastic polish at autozone. meguires plasticx
works great on jeep plastic to remove swirl marks.
But for the harder ****, I use a high end product called polywatch. One of my side hobbies is watches, and this **** is the best. You use a dremel, or some sort of polisher, and it works wonders.
But if your windshields are like my sporties, then there is also a protective coating on it. If you strip that off, you have some big issues, as it can never be re-applied with out completely stripping it.
works great on jeep plastic to remove swirl marks.
But for the harder ****, I use a high end product called polywatch. One of my side hobbies is watches, and this **** is the best. You use a dremel, or some sort of polisher, and it works wonders.
But if your windshields are like my sporties, then there is also a protective coating on it. If you strip that off, you have some big issues, as it can never be re-applied with out completely stripping it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I like all the guys who say buy a new one....GOOD ONE! Why stop there, just get a whole new bike! Or get new EYES even that dont focus on the light scrathes. Perhaps ride where there are lots of scantily clad women about, I dont even see if I have a shield on in thoes situations.
They are right in that its pretty difficult to fix once there are scratches, I think you imagine you are happier after you buy products, spend alot of time polishing, and then put your sparkley clean shield back on the bike, 2 weeks later, your seems like your looking at the same light scratches.
The approach I took after all my bikes and shields, Try and take the best care you can take care of, and accept what you have that you cannot take care of.
They are right in that its pretty difficult to fix once there are scratches, I think you imagine you are happier after you buy products, spend alot of time polishing, and then put your sparkley clean shield back on the bike, 2 weeks later, your seems like your looking at the same light scratches.
The approach I took after all my bikes and shields, Try and take the best care you can take care of, and accept what you have that you cannot take care of.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: new jerseNorth Carolina
I tried it all and nothing works. Its all snake oil. Avoid scratches by not using gas station squgees, motel type towels . Only use a micro fiber towel and replace it often.also try to only rub in an up and down motion (aircraft windshield trick). When you get a lot of bugs on it, try to hose it down while rubbing bugs off gently with your hand and pat dry with your micro fiber cloth. Use the harley rain repellent cloths (or rain x) to cut through that smokey haze .and last but not least replace your shield when it too far gone , dont risk you life for a few dollars.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
Where do you get that, I have stripped mine and want to re-coat it.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
any tint or body shop can get it.
here is a link to the stuff
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...ts/Automotive/
here is a link to the stuff
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...ts/Automotive/
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
any tint or body shop can get it.
here is a link to the stuff
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...ts/Automotive/
here is a link to the stuff
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...ts/Automotive/
Thanks I will check it out.
Well decided to take my own advice. I had a little incident, last summer while on a road trip, hit a deer, and my windshield came off and slid two hundred feet on the pavement.
It got scratched real bad. I pressure washed the coating off and that took about half the scratches off. I have been going to try buffing out the scratches so got in the mood.
Sorry for the poor photos, you can see just above the headlight the worst part.
I took some 400 wet dry and sanded it first, then some 1000, then used just regular rubbing compound then polishing compound.
I will try to take a better photo, but it is much better, this took about an hour, think I will take the windshield out of the stainless frame and do some more sanding, and then polish it again.
I think I can get it pretty nice. Then cover it with a new clear coating.
