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Buffing out a RS plexi windshield
Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:15 pm
by dwerbil
Besides myself, the years of miles and age are showing itself on my RS windshield, and would like to try bringing the windshield back to a newer looking condition.
Maybe someone here has gone through the routine....
After a bit of rubbing compound, wax, and elbow grease, there's still some discoloring here and there on the Plexiglas. To really bring this windshield back to its once clear view, can wet sandpaper of say 1,000 grit or higher be used followed with buff wheel and wax?
Re: Buffing out a RS plexi windshield
Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:38 pm
by gspd
Plexiglas, lexan etc can never be restored to NEW once touched.
If its internally discolored (foggy), nothing will improve it.
For surface scratches you can evenly wetsand it with a soft block and 2000-2500 grit paper and then polish and buff it with plastic-friendly compound.
If you concentrate on any deeper scratches while doing this it will end up wavy.
Re: Buffing out a RS plexi windshield
Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:46 pm
by Major Softie
Yeah, it's really easy to power buff it nice and shiny, but it takes a very careful touch to not put waves in it. Buffers get things warm and warm plastic moves very easily.
Re: Buffing out a RS plexi windshield
Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:52 pm
by dwerbil
Tanks much, ya'll.
I'll put a bit of time in to it and see how it turns out. If it doesn't cut the mustard, I'll just order a new one.
Re: Buffing out a RS plexi windshield
Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 8:10 pm
by guy
Paste wax and soft cloth of a 1/4 sheet vibrating sander.
Guy
Re: Buffing out a RS plexi windshield
Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 10:15 pm
by Major Softie
guy wrote:Paste wax and soft cloth of a 1/4 sheet vibrating sander.
Guy
That would certainly be very gentle. Slow, but much easier to prevent waves.
Re: Buffing out a RS plexi windshield
Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 8:54 am
by Jean
For a quickie, I'd try some of that stuff sold at auto-supply shops for cleaning-up plastic headlight lens.
OR, if you can find the stuff....I got some AIRPLANE windshield dressing long ago from "Sporty's Pilot Shop" that will remove fine scratches and leave a protective film on plexiglas. It requires a bit of elbow grease or a random/orbital buffer if you have a large surface to fix, tho. (Honda shops used to sell some stuff that would do the trick, too as Wing-folks look through their windshield all the time!)
From your note I wonder why you are looking THROUGH the windshield on an RS...Few of us do, at least not for more than an occasional glance.
Re: Buffing out a RS plexi windshield
Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:29 am
by dwerbil
Jean wrote:
From your note I wonder why you are looking THROUGH the windshield on an RS...Few of us do, at least not for more than an occasional glance.
If your suggesting I ride with my chin on the fuel tank "looking through the windshield"...you're just being silly. ha! Jean, I'm
looking at the windshield -- one does not have to be crouched all the way down to tell it needs buffing out.
Like any grungy looking part on a motorcycle, this is about helping the windshield LOOK better than what it does.
Re: Buffing out a RS plexi windshield
Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 11:51 am
by dwerbil
Might as well ask for new windshield sources while I'm here. I know of Max BMW, Matt....any other's come to mind?
Thx
Re: Buffing out a RS plexi windshield
Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:49 pm
by The Veg
Jean wrote:OR, if you can find the stuff....I got some AIRPLANE windshield dressing long ago from "Sporty's Pilot Shop" that will remove fine scratches and leave a protective film on plexiglas. It requires a bit of elbow grease or a random/orbital buffer if you have a large surface to fix, tho.
http://sportys.com/source/features/sear ... op&x=0&y=0