Windshield scratch repair

[Travis398]

Someone must have tried buffing their windshield to remove scratches, I was wondering if anyone has had luck doing this.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4855977_remove-scratches-motorcycle-windshields.html

Notwillingtobetheguineapigman   
^
Sorry kev, I know you have the copyright on that.

[fj11.5]

Its been tried and works ok, takes quite awhile if you want a good job done, I did one of mine using tooth paste, toook forever but came out smooth and free of all but the deepest of scratches, and smelt minty fresh 

[ribbert]

Someone must have tried buffing their windshield to remove scratches, I was wondering if anyone has had luck doing this.

Yes, I got an excellent result, nothing to do with luck though, just a lot of work.

I wrote this up in detail a while back.

Basically you start with an abrasive course enough to remove the scratches, say 1000/1200 wet and dry.
Move up through the papers then move onto auto paint products with a 6" lambswool pad on a buff or drill.
Start with straight cutting compound and work you way up to polish.

The main thing is not to make too big a jump in abrasives (that includes cutters and polishes). You will quickly see if you have done this. I have finally fine tuned the steps and it's about a six step process from screen you can't see through to glass like finish.

Once clean you should use a product like Plexus or similar EVERY time you wash it or wipe it or the fine scratching sneaks up you again. Even washing scratches it.
I wax mine to give it a bit more protection.

Restoring a badly scratched screen is a laborious job and best done in fits and bursts over a number of nights.

Some years ago I bought a range of special plastic products for a similar job. They were expensive AND useless. The plastic responds well to car paint products.

I have the original finned square top screen you see on some 3XW models which is irreplaceable. If I had a normal screen I would not put this much work into it. I would replace it with a new one and then just look after it.

Polishing the plastic is the same as paint, wood, metal etc. You start with something rough enough to remove the imperfections and then work your way up a step at a time with the abrasives until you arrive at the fine polish (reward time)

This is not a job you would even contemplate by hand.

Then you go for a ride, try not to run up the arse of the car in front while admiring your handiwork, park somewhere busy and wait for someone to come up and ask you where the hell you got a new screen for a bike that old!

Most of the products on the net, and the video you posted, are more about maintenance and removing super fine scratching.

Noel

[Harvy]

Take a look at this page:

http://www.glasstechnics.co.uk/acrylic.html

I've also had a lot of success with cerium oxide on both glass (on the car) and plastic screens.
It takes a LOT of rubbing but the results are worth it.

Cerium Oxide can be obtained from most glaziers. Just mix the powder with a bit of water to make a sloppy paste and start rubbing.

Cheers
Harvy

[wm_Reed]

I found this link (http://www.motorcyclistcafe.com/forums/showthread.php?6649-How-To-Remove-Scratches-amp-Hazing-From-Your-Windscreen and used the philosophy on my windscreen.  After removing the screen, I wet sanded with 1500 and then 2000 grit sandpaper.  Afterwards I used turtle wax rubbing compound with a low speed electric buffer (cotton cloth cover).  It worked amazingly well.  I spent about 90 minutes total time on the whole screen.  I did not make it look brand new, but have no doubt you can with lots of patience.

[ribbert]

Seems everyone has a similar process, course to fine abrasives, lots of steps, power tool.

[Charlie-brm]

Excellent demonstration when you have the "guts" to damage a screen to show us how it's done. Builds confidence in the procedure for sure.
I'll be trying that out on my own FJ screen which I've so far taken down to an overall grey haze. Been a while since, can't remember the grit but probably 600.

That said, is there any value in using a headlight restoration kit or any of the components they contain?
I used the 3M kits on some Subaru Outbook headlights according to the instructions, with the pad on a powerful drill, and was quite impressed with the results and the time it took.

[ribbert]

Someone must have tried buffing their windshield to remove scratches, I was wondering if anyone has had luck doing this.

Further to the discussion on this the other day. This is my screen restored using a couple of grades of paper and only car paint cutters and polishes with a buff. I tried foam but found it too grippy and used lambswool.
It had a number of significant scratches and the fine all over scratching was impregnated with dust (the PO lived on a farm) you could not even see through it.





I give it a light polish after I wash it and remove and buff it about once a year. It's about 6 mths/10,000km's since I buffed this.

Noel

[Goody]

Someone must have tried buffing their windshield to remove scratches, I was wondering if anyone has had luck doing this.

Further to the discussion on this the other day. This is my screen restored using a couple of grades of paper and only car paint cutters and polishes with a buff. I tried foam but found it too grippy and used lambswool.
It had a number of significant scratches and the fine all over scratching was impregnated with dust (the PO lived on a farm) you could not even see through it.looks fantastic man might try it myself





I give it a light polish after I wash it and remove and buff it about once a year. It's about 6 mths/10,000km's since I buffed this.

Noel

[Goody]

Great job , well done.

[Bones]

Looks good Noel, I've got the same type of screen on mine and you can't see through it from the scratches etc. Next holidays I'll have to sit down and give it a couple of hours of TLC to bring it back to life.

[ribbert]

Looks good Noel, I've got the same type of screen on mine and you can't see through it from the scratches etc. Next holidays I'll have to sit down and give it a couple of hours of TLC to bring it back to life.

It's a rewarding result for sure and I'm a patient man but I don't think I could do it in one sitting. The temptation to rush gains momentum and there are NO shortcuts. Beer helps though.

Noel

[X-Ray]

Will send my screen, plus beer to you Noel so you can give it the same treatment,  

Did you do both sides?

[ribbert]

Will send my screen, plus beer to you Noel so you can give it the same treatment,  

Did you do both sides?

With "X-Ray" vision it shouldn't matter how bad you screen is!

Yes, I did both sides. The plastic scratches, at a microscopic level, every time you wipe or wash it. Over time even the inside becomes quite dull and for some reason gets scratched. Rings and wrist watches I guess. Some people I see shove their gloves in there too.

[fj11.5]

Gloves, wallet,phone,food its like a dashboard in a car