Windshield is cloudy

[giff]

Hi Everybody,
My 2000 standard still has the original windshield and it's getting cloudy. I remember hearing that many cleaners should not be used. What's the best way to clear it up or is it a lost cause?

Help,
giff

[Memor86]

are you willing to waste your time?, sand it with 2500 3000 grit sandpaper and polish it with fines polish compound you can get. it will clear up a bit but will still be useless at night.

i would get a new one

[Roidfingers]

I've heard people using brake fluid to clear it up. Not sure though. Try small area. Good luck.

[WintrSol]

Meguiar's makes a plastic polish and preservative; not sure how it would do on cloudy, though. Have a look in your local auto parts store, where the headlamp renewal stuff is.

[Itinifni]

The OEM windshield on my 97 standard was also in fair to poor condition, some minor scratches, cloudy and some of the coating was damaged (chipped off or blistered). I also wanted a shorter shield so I cut off about 4" and used the cut off piece to see if I could clear up the remainder.

I did several sections of the cut-off.
1. Used Novus 2 followed by Novus 1 per directions.
2. Novus 3, Novus 2, Novus 1.
3. Wet sand with 3000 grit followed by all 3 Novus products.
4. Wet sand with 1000, 2000, 3000 followed with all 3 Novus products.

Since I was only doing 4" by 4" sections I spent quite a bit of time trying to develop a process, the best result? Process 1.
It didn't take out any of the scratches I could catch with a nail or address any of the cloudiness but left a far more usable piece of polycarbonate than the other attempts.

I then spent about 3 hours per side on the windshield carefully hand buffing. In the end it is just slightly better than it was (though I do like the lower height). Not time wasted because I enjoy working on the bike but I wouldn't do it again. I ordered a new shield from Clearview last night.

The problem is the OEM shields are polycarbonate, a great materiel for windshields but not very serviceable once degraded.
Polycarbonate had great impact-resistance and clarity but little scratch resistance. To assist in scratch resistance a hard coating is applied.

I'm speculating here but I believe the cloudiness develops between the hard coating and polycarbonate. The areas on my shield where the coating is chipped off don't exhibit the same cloudiness.

Not trying to discourage you, just don't expect miracles.

Matt

[Harryc]

I ordered a new shield from Clearview last night.

^^^^^+1. Great company, great product.

[Relax]

Hi Everybody,
My 2000 standard still has the original windshield and it's getting cloudy. I remember hearing that many cleaners should not be used. What's the best way to clear it up or is it a lost cause?

Help,
giff

The Valkyrie Standard did not come with a windshield, did it?
Was it the acryl windshield that  was the " original" on most of the Valks in those days?
Anyway, clearing them up can make them better .....but not good;)
Jmho

[specialdose]

        Tried what a friend said would work. Brake fluid, old panty hose. Spread and let sit, I did for a hr or 2. Then use panty hoes to work the brake fluid and the coating starts coming off. 3000 wet sand, Meguiar's Diamond Cut compound 2.0 with a good buffer.  About 10-12 hrs off and on, I think it looks great. Exceeded my expectations. Retired, more time than money to buy a new one.

[Itinifni]

        Tried what a friend said would work. Brake fluid, old panty hose. Spread and let sit, I did for a hr or 2. Then use panty hoes to work the brake fluid and the coating starts coming off. 3000 wet sand, Meguiar's Diamond Cut compound 2.0 with a good buffer.  About 10-12 hrs off and on, I think it looks great. Exceeded my expectations. Retired, more time than money to buy a new one.

That makes sense, if brake fluid removes the hard coat you can then polish the polycarbonate.
At 10-12 hours labor would you do it again?
Also, how has the un-coated poly held up?

[Roidfingers]

Get some Meguiar's polymer sealant. Not the yellow wax. Stuff is good.

[Alberta Patriot]

Hi Everybody,
My 2000 standard still has the original windshield and it's getting cloudy. I remember hearing that many cleaners should not be used. What's the best way to clear it up or is it a lost cause?

Help,
giff

I have an I/S with the OEM windshield...I didn't like the way the chrome gas cap reflected off my shield...blinding me...so I cut it down.   I made the unfortunate mistake of using duct tape to guard the shield from scratches when using my jig-saw.   The result...the duct tape peeled the scratch coating off!!
I ended up having to use the duct tape to peel "all" of the scratch coating off.  I then had to use polishing compound on the exposed polycarbonate surface.  It looks okay but I am eventually looking at replacing the shield.  Anyway ...if the Standard Windshield uses the same coating you may want to be very careful about what type of polishing compound you use as you may burn through the coating.

[Ricky-D]

Hi Everybody,
My 2000 standard still has the original windshield and it's getting cloudy. I remember hearing that many cleaners should not be used. What's the best way to clear it up or is it a lost cause?

Help,
giff

I have an I/S with the OEM windshield...I didn't like the way the chrome gas cap reflected off my shield...blinding me...so I cut it down.   I made the unfortunate mistake of using duct tape to guard the shield from scratches when using my jig-saw.   The result...the duct tape peeled the scratch coating off!!
I ended up having to use the duct tape to peel "all" of the scratch coating off.  I then had to use polishing compound on the exposed polycarbonate surface.  It looks okay but I am eventually looking at replacing the shield.  Anyway ...if the Standard Windshield uses the same coating you may want to be very careful about what type of polishing compound you use as you may burn through the coating.

Damn, I did the same thing with the same results. Subsequent taping was not successful in removing the remaining coating so now I have a slightly two-tone windshield. It weathers pretty much and reveals the difference boldly. I can polish it and it masks it pretty good but it still shows, especially with the sun at the correct angle. It was a real fail.

***

[Alberta Patriot]

Hi Everybody,
My 2000 standard still has the original windshield and it's getting cloudy. I remember hearing that many cleaners should not be used. What's the best way to clear it up or is it a lost cause?

Help,
giff

I have an I/S with the OEM windshield...I didn't like the way the chrome gas cap reflected off my shield...blinding me...so I cut it down.   I made the unfortunate mistake of using duct tape to guard the shield from scratches when using my jig-saw.   The result...the duct tape peeled the scratch coating off!!
I ended up having to use the duct tape to peel "all" of the scratch coating off.  I then had to use polishing compound on the exposed polycarbonate surface.  It looks okay but I am eventually looking at replacing the shield.  Anyway ...if the Standard Windshield uses the same coating you may want to be very careful about what type of polishing compound you use as you may burn through the coating.

Damn, I did the same thing with the same results. Subsequent taping was not successful in removing the remaining coating so now I have a slightly two-tone windshield. It weathers pretty much and reveals the difference boldly. I can polish it and it masks it pretty good but it still shows, especially with the sun at the correct angle. It was a real fail.

***

You might try this stuff for peeling the rest of the coating off ...it has adhesive that is stickier than anything else I have come across. It will probably need removal as well in some areas with "Goof Off" or something similar.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-1-88-in-x-55-yds-Construction-Seaming-Tape-8087/202077776

Mucho$$$ so ask around...you might know someone who has some.

[specialdose]

    Yes I would put the hrs in again. Night and day difference. keeping it looking that way Meguiars carnauba wax. The polish is a bit pricey
but way cheaper than a new windshield. Gratifying to take something I thought was ready for the trash heap and bring it back to 80%
new condition. Tried to make before and after pictures. No matter what back ground, hard to discern the difference. For 18 yrs old mine was not in terrible condition, just cloudy. Oh, I do not have in night time issues, I am looking over the shield.

[moonride]

Try pledge furniture polish first, you may be surprised how well it clears a windshield.

[Medina]

search here for packing tape....yes....packing tape.
my shield went from opaque to new looking, extended its life at least another year.
got pics in the thread too, and all that polish stuff was a waste of time.

[MarkT]

Here is Clearview's maintenance instructions.  The std came with no shield so you need to verify who made yours and ID the material. Keep in mind Clearview shields are acrylic while the Hondaline is polycarbonate. Other brands - don't know. The OEM shield has a hard coating which would have to be removed before you can attempt any of this.  The characteristics of poly vs acrylic are different - you might want to google that.  Wikipedia has info on that.  BTW Clearview is moving the next couple weeks from Pine CO to Fort Collins so they are busy with that.