Scratch removal from windscreen?

[Tor-King]

I know there are a variety of methods that people have tried (WD40, toothpaste, buffer, sanding even an electric paint stripper).  What is the method that people have used here on our forum that has actually worked?!  I have two screens that need a little sprucing up but do not want to "experiment" as I do not want to screw things up.

Thanks!

[4everFJ]

I use Autosol metal polish. Leaves the screen extremely smooth and scratch free with very litte effort.

[ribbert]

Much depends on what it's made of, how hard it is and how deep the scratching is.

In a nutshell, machine polishing is the only way to get anywhere. Lambswool or foam buff in a drill will do the job. Other than the sheer amount of rubbing required, you also need heat.
Specialised plastic "restoration" or "scratch removing" products are generally more suited to maintaining a screen already in good condition and nowhere near abrasive enough to restore a scratched surface, they're expensive and in my experience, mostly useless.

Metal cleaners (polishes) are generally considered to have about the right level of abrasiveness and give great results on plastic as long as it contains no waxes or polish. Straight cutting compound isn't bad either.
For more damaged screens I start with wet and dry (used wet), the starting grade depends on the depth of the scratches.
Once you are happy with the surface, use a finishing polish to give some protection and lustre.

The key to a good looking screen is to lightly polish it every time you wash it! Washing scratches it and by the time it becomes noticeable, you have a major job on your hands again. Automotive wax provides great protection.

Keeping it scratch free once you get it scratch free is the trick.

Speed, pressure, heat, duration, product, grade, steps etc can't be described and are a matter of constantly checking your progress. Many times this involves going back to the previous level before moving onto the next level again. It's a bit of a black art.

Having said all that, my advice if you have a US type screen would be to chuck it in the bin, buy a new one then look after it, I don't have that option.

Noel

IMO

[FJ1100mjk]

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/07251.html

Or similar for maintenance, once the deeper scratches are dealt with.

[ribbert]

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/07251.html

Or similar for maintenance, once the deeper scratches are dealt with.

Yes, any of those products are good for maintenance. Keep in mind though, headlight covers and general plastics are a not as hard as polycarbonate and safety standard grade acrylics that screens are made from. That's one of the reasons "plastic" products don't work particularly well.


Noel

[Jeff0308]

Keep in mind if you use polish plastic with automotive polish  you will more than likely destroy the UV compound in the plastic and it will keep discolouring.  (YELLOWING) You moght see car headlights that have done it or are doing it. That's the reason. I bought a new screen and the only product that I'm aware of that's safe to use and I use it.i HIGHLY RECOMMENDED  is VU PLEX.its a proper plastic polish.  It's in a small pressure pack tin. Can be bought at (BUNNINGS) australia. Expensive but it's used on aeroplanes / aviation and is highly recommended for bike Helmut screens and anything Perspex / plastic. Also outside verandah PVC blinds. I make decals and do carbra material and this is the only product that is recommended by manufacturers to use.

[krusty]

Keep in mind if you use polish plastic with automotive polish  you will more than likely destroy the UV compound in the plastic and it will keep discolouring.  (YELLOWING) You moght see car headlights that have done it or are doing it. That's the reason. I bought a new screen and the only product that I'm aware of that's safe to use and I use it.i HIGHLY RECOMMENDED  is VU PLEX.its a proper plastic polish.  It's in a small pressure pack tin. Can be bought at (BUNNINGS) australia. Expensive but it's used on aeroplanes / aviation and is highly recommended for bike Helmut screens and anything Perspex / plastic. Also outside verandah PVC blinds. I make decals and do carbra material and this is the only product that is recommended by manufacturers to use.

I was wondering when someone with airforce maint experience would chime in, but the above is along the lines of my experience re aircraft use. Many years ago I had a friend who was in the RAAF and he gave me a can of plastic cleaner to use on my helmet visors. Faired bikes with screens were a rarity in those days. The stuff he gave me was used to clean fighter jet screens and keep them scratch free. I used it all up a long time ago and can't remember the brand. Next time I'm in Bunnings I'll see if I can find some VU PLEX and try it.

[Sparky84]

BCF has VuPlex as well and probably lots of other boating shops,
plenty of plastic in the sun out there on the water needing looking after.

Cheers
Alan

[ribbert]

This subject gets confused every time it is brought up.

There is a vast difference between maintaining a screen in good condition and restoring one that is not.

Products like VuPlex (a can of which I take on trips) and the like are polishes that often have "filling" qualities that will make fine haze scratching disappear, not by cutting the scratches out, but by filling them, they are NOT suitable for restoring damaged or neglected screens.
Re polishing off the UV protection, helmet visors are coated and with enough work can be polished through, but as far as I know, screens have no such coating.

To remove a scratch you must remove the surrounding material to at least the same depth as the scratch. You are effectively reducing the thickness of the screen by the depth of the scratch and this requires fairly aggressive abrasives, how aggressive depends on the depth of the scratch ) that is, how much plastic needs to be removed.

I was wondering when someone with airforce maint experience would chime in......

Krusty, what Jeff quoted was the manufacturer's blurb and yes, if the screen is near perfect (like Jeff's new one), regular use of that or similar product, and there are plenty, would keep it that way for some time. However, if it's actually scratched or not been looked after, something more aggressive is called for.

As some folks seem to be experiencing difficulty with my posts, I'll simply quote the largest manufacturer of light aircraft screens and windows (the same material) in the world: LP Aero Plastics:

http://www.lpaero.com/careins.html

IMO