Topic: Shoei helmet visor care/cleaning

[longshanks]

I have some light scratches and scuffs on my Shoei Qwest clear visor that I'd like to take care of. Anyone know of a good rubbing compound to take them out? What about cleaning it? I've been using mild dish soap and lukewarm water to clean it but I must have used my other soap that has little beads in it because now there's a lot of scratches on it. Also what about for drying it? microfiber cloth? Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks,

[WarwickE36]

Not sure about Shoei helmets but my Bell Vortex shield has a coating on it.  Plain on non ammonia glass cleaner messed it all to hell.  Its still usable but it did damage it.  Just a heads up.

[Rigid]

There are many products intended for use on aircraft windshields (plastic) that can be used successfully, including a "micro-mesh" kit which will remove scratches and polish the surface with a nonfogging shine. I usually use soap and water, rinsed freely, and dried with a soft cotton towel.  A few times a year it gets the aircraft clean and polish products.  Of course, along comes a rock or a sand and gravel truck at 70 mph and all that is for naught.

[andy750]

How do you like the Qwest? My Shoei TZR is getting old and needs replaced and was thinking about the Qwest...is it any good in the rain? Does it fog up? How do you like the ventilation? Is it noisy at speed? Heavy? Ive tried one on and its a good fit but just wondering how it performs in the real world and if its any better than my TZR (or a replacement TZR).

To answer your question - use soft soap and hot water - using fingers to clean any dirt off. Soft cotton cloth to dry. My visors always end up getting a scratch right at eye level. i think its when I wipe the rain off with my gloves and some harsh dirt is on there...

Andy

[longshanks]

How do you like the Qwest? My Shoei TZR is getting old and needs replaced and was thinking about the Qwest...is it any good in the rain? Does it fog up? How do you like the ventilation? Is it noisy at speed? Heavy? Ive tried one on and its a good fit but just wondering how it performs in the real world and if its any better than my TZR (or a replacement TZR).

To answer your question - use soft soap and hot water - using fingers to clean any dirt off. Soft cotton cloth to dry. My visors always end up getting a scratch right at eye level. i think its when I wipe the rain off with my gloves and some harsh dirt is on there...

Andy

Honestly I'm not super happy with the Qwest. I think its a bit overrated. It's pretty noisy but I think much of it is due to wind coming up from underneath as its quieter if I wear a scarf or high collared jacket.(even the chin netting doesn't really help). Fogs up rather easily too and I always flick the visor up at stop lights(plus I live in Los Angeles so the climate is very mild). I haven't ridden in the rain yet so I can't attest to its performance there. If I had to choose again I'd probably go with a Nexx. My brother has one and the visibility is astounding, the eye port is so much larger than any helmet out there as far as I know.

http://www.amazon.com/Nexx-XR1R-Black-Large-Helmet/dp/B003RIU2FU/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1319068673&sr=1-7

[BobbyR]

I think we are all fated to replace the visors every couple of years. I found all of the scratch removers always leave you with a glare when riding toward the Sun or headlights at night. 

[anders288]

       Hi Andy
  Have a look at a leftover Shoei X11 The X12 is out so you can find a deal no an 11

[Really?]

Check out the Novus products. I dunno about the coating though. I have used it on car headlights covers, yellow Yamaha plastic, the 750 breadbox and raw lpm sidecovers with excellent results.

[brooze72]

I think we are all fated to replace the visors every couple of years. I found all of the scratch removers always leave you with a glare when riding toward the Sun or headlights at night. 

+1 Nailed it Bobby, who wants to waste hours restoring scratched plastic?

[BobbyR]

It;s not so much the time it is the result. I can see headlights etc, but when light is coming at you on a curve you really need to see.

I had a friend that raced Go Karts and at the track you caould buy new sheilds pretty cheap. Now I buy online and they get pricey.

[brooze72]

Agreed, so price vs night time vision, hmm, I know what I'm going for 

[CoachDoc]

Check out the Novus products. I dunno about the coating though. I have used it on car headlights covers, yellow Yamaha plastic, the 750 breadbox and raw lpm sidecovers with excellent results.

+1 on Novus products. I restored a terrible windshield I was sure was beyond redemption to almost perfect clarity using the Novus polished. I also like Lemon Pledge to take out the very fine scratches (it fills them rather than eliminates them) and it leaves the plastic more resistant to fogging and finger marks.

[longshanks]

I think we are all fated to replace the visors every couple of years. I found all of the scratch removers always leave you with a glare when riding toward the Sun or headlights at night. 

+1 Nailed it Bobby, who wants to waste hours restoring scratched plastic?

I agree, but I've only had the helmet maybe 4 months. If I can restore it for a couple bucks in polishing agents and a little time then I've saved $40-50.

[longshanks]

       Hi Andy
  Have a look at a leftover Shoei X11 The X12 is out so you can find a deal no an 11

I recommend checking out helmet reviews on Revzilla's youtube channel. I wish I had before I took the plunge. They're pretty comprehensive reviews, definitely worth a look.

Shoei Qwest Helmet Review at RevZilla.com

[dave500]

dont clean your visor with a circular motion,it makes spiral marks,,use only straight left and right cleaning action,any marks are less distracting,i clean with dish soap and water,dry then use either armoural or MR sheen polish or car wax,even with good care they only last a year or two,,the more you ride the more they get abrased,freeways give up a lot of silica dust,very abrasive.

[andy750]

Thanks for the feedback Longshanks. This is what I was afraid of.

Anders - I already have an X11 (bought cheap from someone who was getting out of bikes) - its fine in summer due to all the vents but...in winter those same vents even when closed make it a cold helmet to wear for too long. t also fogs up way too easily in the rain and I ride with the visor slightly open. Thank goodness I didnt spend $500 on it! I would not wear this as an everyday helmet.

thanks in any case
Andy

[BobbyR]

I think we are all fated to replace the visors every couple of years. I found all of the scratch removers always leave you with a glare when riding toward the Sun or headlights at night. 

+1 Nailed it Bobby, who wants to waste hours restoring scratched plastic?

I agree, but I've only had the helmet maybe 4 months. If I can restore it for a couple bucks in polishing agents and a little time then I've saved $40-50.

If you ride durung daylight hours that is fine. It is oncoming light that is alwatys the problem.

[Bob Wessner]

There isn't much you can do about the damage done by stones, etc., other than to say the shield did its job. My biggest issue is bugs and their remains once dried. I usually soak a couple of layers of paper towel with water and lay them on the shield for 10 min. After removing them, just gently wipe with a soft cloth and get ready to go catch the next batch of bug remains.