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CoreyP
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« on: October 09, 2020, 09:08:20 PM » |
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Tonight I got hit by a million bugs at dusk, some very juicy. Question is simple does anyone know what to carry to clean your face shield on the fly when this happens. I have used gas station stuff to clean my shield, brought along towels etc. but I don't really haven't good solution. Has anyone figured it out?
The question really is, what do use to do a quick stop to clean your face shield that has been hammered by bugs? If you wipe them they just smear all over the place and I'm thinking a small bottle of Windex plus some paper towels is the way to go? Any one have a better way to do it? For years I have just winged it but my eye sight is going down hill and I want a better solution?
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2020, 09:48:24 PM » |
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The best all purpose shield cleaner (helmet or bike) is a very damp microfiber washcloth size rag, kept folded up in one of those disposable plastic sammich containers (it stays damp for a long time in there, but at some point it needs washed of bug guts).
You really don't need any spray or solvent, just a water wet microfiber cloth. But the sooner you get the bugs off the easier it is to do. If you have a second dry one to take the wet off, it's even better. I usually carry several microfibers on the bike, but the good one for the shield/visor only gets used on the shield/visor never the whole bike.
Some bugs have hard carcasses, so shake those out and don't scratch the plastic.
I've used No 1 Novus plastic polish with good results, but the pump spays on those waste a lot of product. I take my 1.5oz plastic eyeglass cleaner spray atomizer bottles, and refill with the plastic polish, and those give a very fine mist, which is all you need.
The Plexus plastic polish is the very best there is, but it is overpriced and in a spray can and can't be poured into a little atomizer.
Don't use Windex ammonia on plastic visors or shields. And never use paper products either, it scratches plastic and is only good for glass.
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« Last Edit: October 09, 2020, 10:05:56 PM by Jess from VA »
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sandy
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« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2020, 09:58:09 PM » |
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The micro fiber is great but I use Bike Spirits. They have a small can which I keep in my bag when I travel. A large can stays in the garage cabinet.
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RNFWP
Member
Posts: 423
"What color blue is that?"
Greenville, SC
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« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2020, 10:02:17 PM » |
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Pledge wipes. https://www.pledge.com/en-us/products/pledge-lemon-enhancing-wipesWorks on bugs but is safe on helmets, windshields, chrome or paint. Will make your windshield bead up like rain-x too... |
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"My dog is one of my favorite people"
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mellowyellow#7933
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« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2020, 05:26:13 AM » |
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Get some hydrogen peroxide at the drug store & put some in a small spray bottle to carry with you. Spray on, let sit for a minute then wipe off with micro fiber towel. Also works great on windshields & all frontal areas on bike exposed to bug splatter.
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Gnarly
Member
Posts: 74
FlyinJenni2
Resume Speed,KY
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« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2020, 06:36:49 AM » |
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Get some hydrogen peroxide at the drug store & put some in a small spray bottle to carry with you. Spray on, let sit for a minute then wipe off with micro fiber towel. Also works great on windshields & all frontal areas on bike exposed to bug splatter.
Beat me to it! Works great. I mix it half-and-half with water. Haven't tried it full-strength. |
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I've loved many bikes, over the last 52 years of riding, but this Valkyrie machine may have propelled me headlong into IDOLATRY....
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Promagnaman
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« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2020, 06:51:44 AM » |
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Pro Honda Spray Cleaner & Polish
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LB
Member
Posts: 84
2003
Upstate South Carolina
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« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2020, 05:51:24 PM » |
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Tonight I got hit by a million bugs at dusk, some very juicy. Question is simple does anyone know what to carry to clean your face shield on the fly when this happens. I have used gas station stuff to clean my shield, brought along towels etc. but I don't really haven't good solution. Has anyone figured it out?
The question really is, what do use to do a quick stop to clean your face shield that has been hammered by bugs? If you wipe them they just smear all over the place and I'm thinking a small bottle of Windex plus some paper towels is the way to go? Any one have a better way to do it? For years I have just winged it but my eye sight is going down hill and I want a better solution?
Been using Windex for years ... works great and never a problem. Works just fine on windshields too. |
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CoreyP
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« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2020, 09:00:40 PM » |
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I've used Windex for years and have never had a problem. Usually something happens to the shield, my shields don't last that long. Two years would be a long time for me.
Usually I do use water when I'm at my house, that is usually enough to get off whatever is stuck to shield. I kind of like the wet microfiber in a bag idea. Doesn't take up much space and would work. Think I try that out see how it works. Could use it to wash my face as well if need be.
Last week I used a squeegee at a gas station so I can be flexible on the fly. I don't like the distraction of dead bugs and as I said my eye sight seems to be going down hill a bit.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2020, 01:41:21 AM » |
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There's plenty of advice against using ammonia on plastic and lexan (and TVs and computer monitors) on line. If you care to look. (but I guess not all glass cleaners use ammonia)
Gas stations I've used, people clean the mud off their tires (and dog crap off their seats) with the public squeegees, and rarely if ever clean out the squeegee water holders (of oil and antifreeze and grit and sand). Nasty stuff.
I especially do not like to spend my day looking through bug guts riding through the countryside. So I also routinely clean my shield (and headlights) at most stops. And bugs always clean off easier when fresh; I usually go over the whole front end of the bike as soon as I get home (water and microfiber only, most spray cleaners just require you to rub and work twice as long to get a clean shine).
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« Last Edit: October 11, 2020, 01:54:21 AM by Jess from VA »
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1745
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2020, 06:07:16 AM » |
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Been using these for 11 yrs. along with a fine microfiber towel all kept in the saddle bags. Also bottles of water for hydration and cleaning. Never use alcohol or ammonia based products on any acrylic or Lexan products. BTW Rainx for plastic works to well thus causing excessive flooding when wearing a open face helmet.  My favorite way when time and thought is available  is to take a old bath towel (or the wifes)  and soak it with warm water and lay it on the shield to soak. Yes I have facilities in my garage to do this. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/four-peaks-cleaning-wipes-1-pa-fpeak-30110/11989135-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=11989135-P |
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« Last Edit: October 11, 2020, 06:13:50 AM by h13man »
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f-Stop
Member
Posts: 1810
'98 Standard named Hildr
Driftwood, Texas
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« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2020, 12:35:07 PM » |
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Not sure what helmet you have, but most manufacturers make tear-offs for their face shields. I'm sure that with a little research you could probably find some generic tear-offs. You wouldn't even have to slow down to clean your face shield! I keep a small spray bottle of Cory Cycle Super Polish with some microfiber hand towels in a sandwich bag in my tool/emergency bag in my left side saddle bag. The stuff works great and I've stopped plenty of times on the side of the road to clean my windshield of bugs with this system. I've also used it on my face shield and helmet to rid them of bugs, too... the stuff works.  |
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  Had my blinker on across three states! |
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Gideon
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« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2020, 01:14:32 PM » |
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Plexus plastic polish, with a soft cloth, is all I use. Yes, it is overpriced. However, my windshield still looks new, even though it was installed in 2003 when I purchased the bike new.
The same goes for my face shield.
In my opinion paper towels are a “No-No.”
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But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
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Mikerthebiker
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« Reply #13 on: October 11, 2020, 10:10:23 PM » |
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I use a spray bottle of water with a couple of shots of Dawn dish detergent in it (same mix for mounting tires). Wet a corner of a microfibre cloth to clean bugs, polish when done with the dry side. No rinse required. The Dawn coats the surface and makes bug removal in the future a breeze. It polishes out clear.
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jnicks01
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« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2020, 05:36:09 AM » |
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I honestly use my spit and a very soft bandana in my pocket. When at the gas station, I just drip a little washer fluid from the pump area containers on it. When I get home I just clean the visor and helmet with a mix of white vinegar and water with a microfiber. Haven't scratched a mirrored, clear, or tinted visor using my tactics.
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« Last Edit: October 12, 2020, 05:40:16 AM by jnicks01 »
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I want to scoop out your brains and eat your knowledge.  |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #15 on: October 12, 2020, 08:41:40 PM » |
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I honestly use my spit and a very soft bandana in my pocket. When at the gas station, I just drip a little washer fluid from the pump area containers on it. When I get home I just clean the visor and helmet with a mix of white vinegar and water with a microfiber. Haven't scratched a mirrored, clear, or tinted visor using my tactics.
Living in the desert, I can't work up enough spit. I only remove ice and snow when I'm on the fly. I always stop to clean bugs.  |
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jnicks01
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« Reply #16 on: October 13, 2020, 05:19:17 AM » |
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I honestly use my spit and a very soft bandana in my pocket. When at the gas station, I just drip a little washer fluid from the pump area containers on it. When I get home I just clean the visor and helmet with a mix of white vinegar and water with a microfiber. Haven't scratched a mirrored, clear, or tinted visor using my tactics.
Living in the desert, I can't work up enough spit. I only remove ice and snow when I'm on the fly. I always stop to clean bugs. Problem solved. No one should make fun of you...  https://images.app.goo.gl/uTddYxVcrNyGXENK6 |
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« Last Edit: October 13, 2020, 05:21:48 AM by jnicks01 »
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I want to scoop out your brains and eat your knowledge. |
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MarkT
Member
Posts: 5196
VRCC #437 "Form follows Function"
Colorado Front Range - elevation 2.005 km
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« Reply #17 on: October 13, 2020, 11:21:41 AM » |
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Get some hydrogen peroxide at the drug store & put some in a small spray bottle to carry with you. Spray on, let sit for a minute then wipe off with micro fiber towel. Also works great on windshields & all frontal areas on bike exposed to bug splatter.
Nothing removes bugs like hydrogen peroxide. And it's so cheap it's almost free. The squirt bottle below is how Walgreens sells it. Ready to go. The quart bottle - get a pack of 2 of them at Costco for a couple bucks. Unbelievable! Store it out of sunlight - that's why the bottles are brown to block the light - I think not stored hot as well. Of course great for cleaning the front of the bike and glasses, lenses etc. Be sure to use a clean microfiber cloth. Good idea to keep them in a ziplock baggie - Costco sells the cloths as well.  |
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« Last Edit: October 13, 2020, 11:28:29 AM by MarkT »
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KG
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« Reply #18 on: October 17, 2020, 06:41:21 PM » |
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What we do all have is a limited number of days to devote to whatever we love in this life. Not all the same number of days but all have limited days....Willow
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Moonshot_1
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« Reply #19 on: October 19, 2020, 02:36:46 PM » |
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+1 on the Hydrogen Peroxide. Note: Once opened, the Hydrogen Peroxide begins to degrade. Basically slowly turns to just water. You got about a month for it to retain it's full effectiveness for this application then it just doesn't work as well as time goes on. But it is cheap and if it is buggy you will use a lot of it.
It works well on plastics and chrome.
Then Lemon Pledge for the shine!
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Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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Led
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« Reply #20 on: October 29, 2020, 12:47:25 PM » |
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Since this thread is almost dead......I will relay a story. We were out riding......and my Woman thought She was "helping" me out while fueling.....by taking that "thing" of a brush out of the window wash bucket at the gas station. And started washing the windshield. I flew of the handle. First time I ever did that to Her......  She was never a Biker before. I felt bad for yelling at Her, but She was scratching the hell out of my windshield! Anything plastic.........SUCKS! |
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MarkT
Member
Posts: 5196
VRCC #437 "Form follows Function"
Colorado Front Range - elevation 2.005 km
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« Reply #21 on: October 29, 2020, 01:08:18 PM » |
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Reminds me of the time I arrived at a motel on a multi-day long distance group ride on my newish wing. A "friend" walked up to us as we rolled up, wet towel in hand, before we dismounted he started wiping my shield. Thinking he was doing me a favor. HORIZONTALLY WITH A DIRTY POLYESTER MOTEL TOWEL. ARGGGHHHH! I yelled at him to stop NOW. Poly towels scratch plastic. So do bug carapaces and dirt and horizontal/circular wipes put scratches in that catch the sun. I ONLY clean my shields with clean microfibers, only vertical and only after soaking or using hydrogen peroxide. He put some nice scratches on my shield. And he was SUPPOSED to be a knowledgable biker. But with a scratched up wing windshield.
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rug_burn
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« Reply #22 on: November 02, 2020, 03:26:19 PM » |
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I carry a spray water bottle, and a (fairly) clean rag-
I just spray water on the windshield until it's about to start running off, and let it sit for about minute. Then with very light pressure, wipe it off, and try to get the grit and big bug debris off.
Then wet it down again, same way, just about to form runs, let it sit a bit, and still with light pressure, kind of wipe and polish it with a clean part of the rag.
To scratch it, you need pressure and grit. So if it may still have road grit on it, use very light pressure.
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...insert hip saying here..
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