Restoreing windshield

[Jigger]

I have a 1999 750 with a windshield on it. I have a problem with the windshield. Someone in the past must have used a paper towel to clean it. During the day it is not noticeable. But during the night when a car is coming towards me. I see millions of little rainbows or all different colors. Which makes it very hard to see. I recently have purchased a kit called Novus 1-2-3 which is suppose to be made to clean the scratches off Plexiglas windshields. Just wondering if anyone has used this product and what their out come was or do you know another way of clearing the scratches off.

[hootmon]

I shall wait for your review of this product as to what your results were... Someone's got to be 1st...

[Curtis_Valk]

If your windshield is plexiglas (acrylic) that will probably help.  If it is lexan (polycarbonate) then there is a scratch resistant coating and any polishing you do might go right through the coating and ruin your windshield.

On a side note, just like helmets it is recommended that windshields be replaced every five years.  I bet few of you knew that.  I bet fewer or none of us replace them.  I don't.

Curtis

[hootmon]

On a side note, just like helmets it is recommended that windshields be replaced every five years.  I bet few of you knew that.  I bet fewer or none of us replace them.  I don't.

Curtis

Why is this "rule" for windshields? Do they become brittle and might break on impact or something, or is this a rule that windshield manufacturers created to sell more windshields like oil change places still tell you to replace your oil every 3K miles??

[TLRam1]

On a side note, just like helmets it is recommended that windshields be replaced every five years.  I bet few of you knew that.  I bet fewer or none of us replace them.  I don't.

Curtis

Why is this "rule" for windshields? Do they become brittle and might break on impact or something, or is this a rule that windshield manufacturers created to sell more windshields like oil change places still tell you to replace your oil every 3K miles??

All the above.....add to that sprocket companies.

I prefer to look over my shield verses through it for clarity and eliminate problems you experience. I don't remember scratches causing a rainbow effect, where are the scratches at?  

[Jigger]

The scratches are all over the windsheild in a circular pattern. Much like you would be cleaning a peice of regular glass. When a car head light beam hit the windshield there are so many small scratches it all most blocks the view.

[Greg Cothern]

It has been my understanding that they make this recommendation as it becomes more brittle and looses its level of safety as compared to new.

[drkngas]

I went out to the garage and looked at my old '84 Hondaline Magna windshield. Still hanging on the wall as it has for years but it feels strong as ever but with bunches of microscratches.  Maybe they made them better in the "old days".  Anyone want to come get it whether for the whole thing or for the frame you're welcome to have it.  It made it through my Magna and Nighthawk.

[dgc67]

I polished mine and got out most of the scratches.  some big ones too.

I am with Terry though.  I always set mine up so I just look over the top edge.

here is a link to results I posted and the product I used.  Just scroll down to my comment.

http://www.magnaownersoftexas.com/forums/index.php?topic=3230.0

[Curtis_Valk]

On a side note, just like helmets it is recommended that windshields be replaced every five years.  I bet few of you knew that.  I bet fewer or none of us replace them.  I don't.

Curtis

Why is this "rule" for windshields? Do they become brittle and might break on impact or something, or is this a rule that windshield manufacturers created to sell more windshields like oil change places still tell you to replace your oil every 3K miles??

Hoot, I assume it is the scratches.  Of course if you look over your windshield it is a moot point.  Hmmm, come to think of it I can see very little through my dark tinted Cee Baileys!  LOL

Curtis

[BudMan]

As short as I am, if it's short enough for me to look over, I may as well take it off!

[Lurkin]

I've tried the Novus set on a Honda Helix scooter's windshield.  I bought the scooter used and the windshield was trashed, sounds like yours.  It did not work for me, but I was looking for large improvements.  I ended up finding a good condition used shield to replace it with.

You certainly don't have anything to lose by trying though, worst case, it doesn't work.  Might also consider using a slow speed polisher to.  I would suspect that would do a better job than by hand, just be very careful with the speed and pressure. 

[Jigger]

Thanks Lurkin. I'm going to give it a try tommorrow. Suppose to be nice weather here tommorrow. The windshield is bad. But not that bad. Just has a bunch of swirls in it from being wiped by a paper towel with what appears to be Windex. As the windshield also has a little fogging going on. I have nothing to loose by trying. Except the cost of the kit and possiably a new windshield.

[Jigger]

Just finished with the Novus system. It did work except for one area were a stone hit it and left a deep gouge in it. I know it was a stone because it hit me in the helmet. It removed all of the fogging that was caused by the Windex cleaner. It removed all of the swirls left in the windshield left by someone using a paper towel to apply the Windex. There are a couple of deep scratches that were shortened in length and if I kept at it I know I could remove them. But there is a ton of rubbing that you need to do. After cleaning the windshield with the # 1. I moved up to number 3. I applied 3 coats of # 3 and rubbed until it was drying as I rubbed. I removed every coat before applying the next. Before I moved onto the # 2 I cleaned the windshield with the # 1. I did the same amounts of the # 2 as with the # 3. But so far I'm very happy with the results. I will not be able to tell if it was a complete success until I can ride ride the bike at night. But right now our roads are covered with sand and salt. So riding the bike is not an option.

[Jigger]

Well today the temp. got up to 37 degrees with the sun out. I put the battery in the bike and fired it up. Took it for a little spin to see how the windshield came out. Well to say the least I'm totally impressed with the out come. It is just as clear as the day it was made.