Cleaning the OEM Windshield

[rmrc51]

I just put a new OEM windshield on the Valk.

I've heard/read that using Lemon Pledge is the preferred thing to use for cleaning. Is that true, or are there other products?

All opinions welcome and thanks in advance. 

[Reb]

I only use hot water usually. I try and clean it right after I'm done riding so limited scrubbing is involved.

[hubcapsc]

People use pledge, and like it.

I mostly just use water. I've used Joe's Juice, it
works well. You gotta do something to soften up
any encrusted bugs before you start applying
elbow grease...

A couple of important things:

use some soft rag, like a microfiber cloth or something, not paper towels.

Use all vertical strokes, not circular strokes, and avoid getting those
swirly marks that you can see in "well cleaned" windshields...

-Mike

[scoot]

#1 on the Joe's Juice 

[fudgie]

I use honda polish. Comes right off. For heavy bugs I soak a hotel towel in very hot water and lay it on the shield for a few min.

[R J]

When on the road and it is bug season, I carry an old "T' Shirt in a Zip Lock bag.

When I get to the Motel or wherever I'm staying, I get the 'T' shirt out, go get the hot water going, get the 'T' sopping wet and then just put it on the windshield.    Let it soak for awhile, take it off the shield, re-soak it and wring out good.    Then put Joe's Juice, hand soap, or some type of detergent on it and do UP & DOWN only strokes,  'T' shirt get dirty, I use the waste basket from the room, rinse the 'T' out, rinse it off and let it air dry.

Then I have some liquid wax that I apply with my bare hand.   Let it dry and polish it off with another old 'T' Shirt.

[GotValk]

I use 50/50 mix of water and peroxide for bugs, then hit it with Plexus.
Windshield is 12 yrs old now and still looks great!

[Jess from VA]

The OE sheilds have a hard coat, and mine are getting old.

I get home from a (buggy) ride, come in and get a microfiber (all I use on the shields) and get it soaked in hot water with a squirt of car wash soap, only wring it half out.  Go out and gently soften and scrub off the shield, then the rest of the buggy front end.  Wring it hard and go back and wipe off the soapy buggy residue.

I may leave it that way, or go back with plastic polish spray and a dry micro fiber and finish the shield.

I have used about every product there is.   IMHO the best windshield and all purpose cleaner is Plexis in an aerosol can.  It works faster than Novus #1 (do NOT use #2 or #3), Honda/Harley or other general purpose detail sprays, and pledge.  Especially if you don't use water/soap solution first.

Most bike shops carry this stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/Plexus-Plastic-Cleaner-Protectant-13-Ounce/dp/B00092CKN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330822662&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/NOVUS-PC-10-Plastic-Clean-Shine/dp/B002UD0GFE/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1330822639&sr=8-11



The Plexus is expensive, so I get a bottle of pump spray Novus#1, and pour it into small one-ounce glasses cleaner atomizer bottles (cleaned out).  The Novus pump squirts it all over the place and wastes product.  The atomiser puts out a very fine mist and conserves product.  Just one ounce of this in a small atomizer stays on the bike, and will last for weeks of riding before needing a refill.  Also good on your riding glasses and helmet shields.

Both Plexus and Novus #1 are good to clean the whole bike, paint, chrome, mirrors, shield.  I also use lemon pledge, but usually I use that after the bike is clean with an all over quick detail polish.

The atomizer (many are out there)

[Red Diamond]

I usually have one of two items, (either Lemon Pledge or Honda Polish Cleaner) clean the bugs off and ready for the next ride, no rituals.

[Robdawg13]

Pledge Multi-surface ( Blue Can) works great on just about everything on your bike, including the windshield, and doesn't leave behind residue like Lemon Pledge...

[donaldcc]

  The best for me is water and my hand. I also use Plexus and Pledge and the lemon flavor is my favorite.  Plexus I usually use for windshield and the Baker airwings, though I use Pledge there also.  I use pledge on the rest of the bike for shine.

  Funny though, on trip through northwest last summer I used lemon pledge every day. Each morning I would come out and yellow jackets would be swarming about the bike.  My buddy on a Triumph had no problem.

  Do yellow jackets like lemon pledge or Valkyrie?? 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I carry a wet microfiber towel in a ziplock bag. When I gas up, I clean the windshield with it and dry with a dry microfiber towel.

When it needs more than that I use Novus#1.

[3fan4life]

I use this at home



It is as good as if not better than Plexus for about half the price.


And I keep a small can of Plexus on the bike for when I'm on the road.



And +1 on using a microfiber cloth.

[Jess from VA]

Don, I've had the bees from lemon pledge too.... and never before I started using it.  (PS always look in your helmet before putting it on)

What I really like about pledge is it resists dust, unlike a new wax job which is a dust magnet (plus it's a bunch less work).  

[rmrc51]

Thanks for all the tips everyone! 

[Radio]

I use the BOM(best overall method) on entire bike. One never, I mean NEVER put anything with ammonia(Windex,etc.) on your windshield or helmet face shield.........

[salty1]

+1! Never use ammonia containg product. 

[Tundra]

I've tried everything on my poor 14 year old bike I used Plexus, Pledge, Honda cleaner/polish. They all seem to work.
  I now use the cheapest liquid spray deail I can find in Wal-Mart or K-Mart. Ussualy find one on sale and under $3.00. Lasts a year and I use before and after each ride. I still like Pledge for quick shining between wax jobs. The pledge can be used on everything including seats and windshield and looks great on all

[BigAl]

Plexus.

If it good enough for professional airplane pilots it is good enough for your motorcicle.

Be sure after wiping the spray and grime off to flip the towel over and polish the shield or it can

have a rainbow hew to it.

But it is not permanent the rainbow effect and you won't get that if you follow those simple intructions.

It also conditions the plastic shield which is good news for longevity.