how to re-new

[Guest]

OK, so I am stumped.....

I have this small wind screen, and it looks like crap, well most of it does, has a number of scratches, gouges, scrapes, and so on....

The question is, how do I go and get it to look better, can it be buffed back to look good, or should I just sand it down smooth, leaving it a dull look, and paint the inside portion only, I like the see through, but it really don't need to be, I guess I can go a solid black, did this on my snowmobile windshield, so I could do it on this as well









and this is the snowmobile screen

[GateKeeper]

35 views.......LOL

yup I am stumped as well....



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[Nessism]

If you performed a search you would find my threads on how to renew a windshield.

Sand out the scratches using the finest grit sand paper that will do the job, then work up with progressively finer paper until you get to 1500 or so. Next, get some plastic polish, Meguirer's sells some good stuff, and a DA polisher and bring up the shine. I've done two different windscreens this way and they wound up looking like brand new. Good fun project too.

[7981GS]

Treat it like a headlight lens.
They make kits for renewing the faded plastic headlights found on so many vehicles today.
They include 1500 and 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and a polishing compound.

I just use McGuire's Mag and Aluminum polish and it gets most of the scratches out by hand.
Basically, it is just like fine valve lapping compound.
About $3.50 for a tiny little jar. Worth a shot.

Eric

[GateKeeper]

If you performed a search you would find my threads on how to renew a windshield.

Sand out the scratches using the finest grit sand paper that will do the job, then work up with progressively finer paper until you get to 1500 or so. Next, get some plastic polish, Meguirer's sells some good stuff, and a DA polisher and bring up the shine. I've done two different windscreens this way and they wound up looking like brand new. Good fun project too.

Thanks...I did, and saw for a clear lens, was not sure if it would be different on a smoked lens, will it come back as see through or would it be cloudy....

Treat it like a headlight lens.
They make kits for renewing the faded plastic headlights found on so many vehicles today.
They include 1500 and 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and a polishing compound.

I just use McGuire's Mag and Aluminum polish and it gets most of the scratches out by hand.
Basically, it is just like fine valve lapping compound.
About $3.50 for a tiny little jar. Worth a shot.

Eric

Saw the kits, and a friend tried it on his car headlight, didn't turn out so great, still had a milky look to it


I guess I can go ahead and try, can't be worse than what it already is...


Thanks for the suggestions

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[nvr2old]

I agree with being able to sand it smooth and polish it out. You might have to start with something like 600 to get some of those scratches out, especially the ones on the left side. Go to 800, 1,000, 1,500 and finish it with 2,000 grit then polish it with a buffer starting with a wool pad and finishing with a foam pad. It'll look real nice if done correctly.

[7981GS]

Thanks for posting the correct procedure Larry.
I am off to FexEx to get more parts headed your way. I'll call later this evening.

Eric

[spyug]

I found this which could be of interest: http://www.headlight-restoration-kit.com/reviews/

As the other guys mention its a lot like buffing your aluminum. Sand to get the scratches out then polish and buff out. Tedious but a good project for keeping your hands occupied as you watch CSI Hamilton or any of your other favourite programs

Unlike aluminum, you shouldn't use a polishing disk or buffing wheel to finish. If the disk spins too fast it can heat and melt the plastic or worse gouge it. Just use gently circular motions by hand just like when you massage the lady's neck (or other favourite parts)

Cheers.

[Nessism]

Unlike aluminum, you shouldn't use a polishing disk or buffing wheel to finish. If the disk spins too fast it can heat and melt the plastic or worse gouge it. Just use gently circular motions by hand just like when you massage the lady's neck (or other favourite parts)

Cheers.

First time I polished a windshield I used a regular orbital polisher but it's really touchy; easy to over heat the plastic. I had much better results using a $15 DA waxer/polisher machine from Harbor Freight, or similar. Use a clean terry bonnet and liberal application of the plastic polish sauce. Polishing by hand may work, but seriously doubt you can get the same shine as using a machine.

[GateKeeper]

Gonna give it my best.....

Thanks Guys....

Cheers

[nvr2old]

First time I polished a windshield I used a regular orbital polisher but it's really touchy; easy to over heat the plastic. I had much better results using a $15 DA waxer/polisher machine from Harbor Freight, or similar. Use a clean terry bonnet and liberal application of the plastic polish sauce. Polishing by hand may work, but seriously doubt you can get the same shine as using a machine.

Agreed. You'll never get it to polish out by hand as well as you can with a buffer. You need the rpm's. You can use Velcro backed mini wool/foam pads with a drill attachment, too. The trick is just not to bear down on it so hard it creates a lot of heat..same as anything you're polishing.

[GateKeeper]

first attempt

So I decided to give this a go....

I don't have all the available items needed, so I used what I had

emery cloth paper - coarse

sand paper 150, sand paper 320, sand paper 400, sand paper 600, sand paper 1000 and 2000 wet dry

finally some metal polish,,,,,,I didn't have anything for plastic, I will get some tomorrow, and probably a kit so I can get some rpm's going to do a nice polish....

the big gouges are out, some are really deep, and I better not go too far down, or I will end up with a hole.....LOL

so far so good, will be better once completed...











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[spyug]

It looks a lot better than it did and a polish should finish it off. If you can't find the plastic specific stuff ( that really shouldn't be a problem as I've seen it everywhere from Walmart to CT) you can also use a fine cut rubbing compound but liquid rather than paste followed by a good quality car polish. A bit more work.

I got to thinking a bit about using an electric polisher or a pad on the drill and I guess it would work if the speed is not too fast and its light pressure as mentioned. The reason I was against it is that I used a felt bob in my drill on a headlight and I gouged it quite noticeably. Ever since that I've been "gun shy" about using power tools on plastic.

I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Luck.
Spyug

[6pkrunner]

I use chrome polish for several going overs and finish up with toothpaste for the last few times. Good windshield cleaner and you're off to the races.

[GateKeeper]

@Spyug, I think the felt bob was probably too hard and that is why you ended up with the gouge in the lens, I think for plastic it has to be very soft and flexible..

I have an idea on what I am going to try and use, going to try it on a small area and see how it goes, if it turns out bad, trust me no pictures will be posted....LOL

@6pkrunner - toothpaste....hmmmm with or without the mint flavor, just kidding but your right, it also has some abrasive properties, so it should work just as well...


I still think I need some more sanding, I might have to go back to 8 or 9 hundred grit and move up from there, lots of scratches still there that I don't think buffing will pull out, just a thought...

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