Topic: Save the windshield help/advice.

[toytuff]

I need suggestions on saving this windshield. Hopefully someone else has been down this road.

Why ask why.





Obviously paint does not work on polycarbonate. I checked the manufacture on line but the manufacturing code did not show up.

Paintlite-sheet PC7112.

Researching the last couple of days for options. Usual scratches but has cloudy areas. I doubt the cloudinesss can be removed.

Polishing. Yea and nay. Mixed results. Cloudiness probably won't come out.

Vapor blasting. Hmmm, not sure of the process or results.

Painting.  Paint has come a long way however with plastics I have read where there is a constant release of manufacturing gases. Not sure if this goes away after 30 years.

RC polycarbonate paint. Well, that seems to work however modelers only paint the inside. This might hide some of the areas but not all. Painting both sides would probably not work but once again, not sure.

I have no other options as finding a replacement would be as rare as hens teeth. I have searches ongoing on fleabay.

So, I'm open to your thoughts, suggestions, recommendations.

I did get the paint off using hot water, dish soap, damp t-shirt. It took a while too!

TIA

[toytuff]

Do you mean window tint? I was told it won't stick to the surface by the tint people I use.

[Rookster]

Did you try polishing it by hand?  If you want it clear try Mothers plastic polish.  It should take the cloudiness away.  If you want it tinted then I think you are into having a replica made of the one you have.  There are companies that can make a copy of yours in whatever color you want.  I found one years ago when exploring options for my Dunstall windscreen but I don't remember the name.  It may have been Clearview Shields.  They wanted the original to use and the price wasn't outrageous.

Scott

[toytuff]

Rookster, that would be ideal. I have yet to find anything on a reproduction but will contact them on Monday.

Thanks!

[RevDoc]

TT, you can buff out the haze & scratches on that windshield. I've cleaned up polycarbonate with jewelers rouge or a compound
specifically for plastics. Just last week I cleaned up a friends headlight housings that were yellow & hazy with Eastwood #13138.
Came out looking like new. Just used a buffing wheel and my hand drill. Use a light touch.Here's a link to their site if you want to check it out.

http://www.eastwood.com/autobody/buffing/buff-compounds.html

[toytuff]

Thanks RevDoc, will add this to the possible list. I do have a buffer but only one speed. Little nervous doing it however.

 I sent an email to Clearview, maybe I can send it to them.

Getting good ideas, thanks guys.

[grcamna2]

tt,
Check out NOVUS which sells a kit w/ #3 Heavy scratch remover,#2 Fine scratch remover & #1 Plastic Clean and Shine.The airplane owners,etc. love it as they all use plexi-glass and I've been using it for years,removes all the scratches and haze.I'm getting ready to do a vintage turntable plexi dust cover w/ an automotive buffer;the product likes to be put onto a dry rag/pad.

[toytuff]

Yea and nay on that. Heard AIM toothpaste works also.

I do know that my local tint shop polishes headlights. He and I were talking about it one day and told me the cost of the tool to do it. Quite expensive. Might touch bases with him but once again, weighing my options first.

I only get one shot. Prefer one who works in the field of plastic.

[Don R]

 When you get it close, I've been using Eagle One Nano Wax on my Vetter windshields, race car lexan and helmets. it works wonders.

[toytuff]

Might give that a go, thanks.

No luck with Clearview. Went with Novus, cleaned up but left light swirl marks. Not bad in the sun, not so much in the light.

I'll talk with my paint guy as paint has come a long way. I did find out the PC in the stamping is in fact polycarbonate abbreviation. (US paint website)

Some folks have used plasti dip spray with good results. Just peel it off if needed but I think I'll pass on that.

[grcamna2]

Might give that a go, thanks.

No luck with Clearview. Went with Novus, cleaned up but left light swirl marks. Not bad in the sun, not so much in the light.

I'll talk with my paint guy as paint has come a long way. I did find out the PC in the stamping is in fact polycarbonate abbreviation. (US paint website)

Some folks have used plasti dip spray with good results. Just peel it off if needed but I think I'll pass on that.

The swirl marks should come out if you finish it up by hand;mount the shield to the fixed fairing on the bike and wipe it w/ long front to back rubs.

Which one of your bikes has the fairing ?

[toytuff]

I'll give it a try.  Novus number two is what I used. Number three is not recommended for polycarbonate.

I found a front headlight cowl up in Canada. Used on euro models only for two years, 82-83 badged the S model. USA models were completely different and offered in 1984. Windscreen the same, brackets not.

I found the very rare brackets in another ad. Without those it was useless. Finding another windscreen will be even harder.

[RAFster122s]

Plastic modelers use 1000 and 2000 and sometimes higher with plenty of water and then use the Novus #2 and #1.  Meguairs makes some that is a cleaner and then a polish.  You really need the next step in the polish setup.  It is best to go slow.  Whatever you do, do NOT go near a machine buffer. Plastic responds poorly to speeds up around 1500 rpm and it is better to attempt mild solutions and then step up to the more aggressive.

So, pickup either Novus's #1 or the Meguair's plastic polish.  It actually makes a difference.
I think most motorcycle face shields are made of polycarbonate.  So, practice on an old faceshield with what you are going to use.

The plastic modelers use future floor finish on their clear plastic spayed on after polishing to add a gloss acryllic coating to their work.
It works and can be reapplied and buffed. 

A microfiber towel you use on the windshield to buff and keep it in a plastic bag and careful what you lay it on.  Wash it by hand and air dry.  They are notorious for picking up lint and dust.  I have used packing tape after washing them to pull any lint or the like off the surface.

Good luck

[grcamna2]

I'll give it a try.  Novus number two is what I used. Number three is not recommended for polycarbonate.

I found a front headlight cowl up in Canada. Used on euro models only for two years, 82-83 badged the S model. USA models were completely different and offered in 1984. Windscreen the same, brackets not.

I found the very rare brackets in another ad. Without those it was useless. Finding another windscreen will be even harder.

ok,it's going on your Suzuki Euro GS400,nice 
Did you use the Novus #1'Plastic Clean and Shine to polish it as the last step ?

[754]

Meguairs is Magic on KO plastic instrument covers. But I dont know the material..sure chased cloudiness away... Be careful using any machine buff, any heat buildup may end badly.

[toytuff]

Thanks guys. I did quite a bit of reading and many emails to manufactures. Clearview told me that manufactures used a coating on the polycarbonate. This is where one must be careful.

I have all three of the products mentioned, Novus 1 and 2, Mcquires. (sp)

I did remove a lot of the cloudiness but there are some scratches that are deep. Also, something was splashed on it and that I believe, is in the plastic. Silver in color never to be removed.

Also read quite a bit on painting the inside. A matt black would look good and cover quite a bit. Plastic releases a gas from the moulding process when new and continues. After 30 years it's done according to one blogger. Not totally convinced, jury still out.

Modelers building RC cars use a polycarbonate paint on the inside of car bodies. Jury still out. Passing on the plasti spray also.

I'll continue working on it since the cowl hasn't been in for paint. Presentable is all I'm looking for, never be perfect. I'll keep searching flea bay and found most hard to find parts are in Germany. Don't understand anything they are saying. 

[toytuff]

I'll give it a try.  Novus number two is what I used. Number three is not recommended for polycarbonate.

I found a front headlight cowl up in Canada. Used on euro models only for two years, 82-83 badged the S model. USA models were completely different and offered in 1984. Windscreen the same, brackets not.

I found the very rare brackets in another ad. Without those it was useless. Finding another windscreen will be even harder.

ok,it's going on your Suzuki Euro GS400,nice 
Did you use the Novus #1'Plastic Clean and Shine to polish it as the last step ?

Yes. The USA models in later years went to a different style in picture. This way, I believe, Suzuki didn't have to stock shorter stalk front turns on the cowl.

[toytuff]

This is pretty handy if there is a code on your screen.

http://www.uspaint.com/paints/substrates/plastic.asp

[toytuff]

Although pictures won't show everything here is the progress so far.







Morning sun.



I think this is as far as I can get it at this time.

[RAFster122s]

Yeah, I think it is not possible to restore it completely.  If some company would make new ones from yours, that would be ideal.  I have a screen for the cx500 only on the european models, made the bike's maggot cowl on the 78-79 std bikes actually look presentable.  The european cx500 kept the cowl with screen for many more years.  Mine is smoked plastic and it has crazing all over inside, It came from the UK and is now 3rd hand.  Since I won't be looking through it that issue does not bother me...just serves to redirect some of the wind.

I am sure there are some members who speak German on the site.  You can use Google Translate if you want to grab descriptions and paste it into their tool.  Some web pages translate ok with feeding it a url, others heavily built with frames do not.

There is a sohc4 member with a cx500 turbo that is a US serviceman in Germany...maybe he could assist you...or point you to some additional help.

[BomberMann650]

Wow that turned out beautiful!

[toytuff]

Wow that turned out beautiful!

It's better for sure. Still looking for a replacement.

[chewbacca5000]

What fairing is that?  I have a Don Vesco fairing and that looks similar, but I can't tell.

[toytuff]

What fairing is that?  I have a Don Vesco fairing and that looks similar, but I can't tell.

OEM fairing on the Euro models, different on the USA models as far as I know. Mounting brackets were completely different also.

[RAFster122s]

I think the BMW R90 fairing is very close in looks to the Don Vesco Rabid Transit fairing.  Vesco also made another couple fairing designs, forgetting the names of those.  I have seen several where some owner had cut back the handlebar cut outs a lot!  Did not look as good and was one of those changes there was no turning back on.

Got any photos of the fairing Chewy?