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Scratches in Lexan Windshield

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Dennis.Kirby(at)kirtland.
Guest

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject: Scratches in Lexan Windshield

Kolb Friends -



I have some fairly significant scratches on the polycarbonate windshield

of my Mark-3.

Not so much deep scratches, but many swirls of scratches.  Similar to

what you'd expect if you took sand paper and wiped it across the

surface.



Do I need to replace the whole windshield, or can these be buffed out?



I've seen products designed to remove scratches from Plexiglas.  Would

these same products work for Lexan?



Many thanks -



Dennis Kirby

N93DK, 912ul, "Magic Bike"

Cedar Crest, NM

The BaronVonEvil

Joined: 23 Jun 2006
Posts: 76
Location: Walla Walla, WA.

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: Scratches in Lexan Windshield

Hi Dennis,



The best way to get rid of scratches would be to replace the lexan. That 

being said you might try "Plexis" which comes in a aerosol can. It is 

formulated for cleaning Plexiglas and will hide most minor scratches pretty 

well.



An el-cheapo substitute is "Lemon Pledge" although I have heard it will 

cause problems with lexan over time. This is what I have been using and so 

far so good.



Polishing and buffing will eventually remove the scratches but it takes time 

and if done wrong will create more problems than it will solve, dull hazy 

view, distortion etc. There are kits available from aircraft supply houses, 

"Micro Mesh" is one that comes to mind.



Hope this helps



Carlos G.

---

Dana

Joined: 13 Dec 2007
Posts: 1047
Location: Connecticut, USA

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject: Scratches in Lexan Windshield

At 03:39 PM 11/3/2008, Kirby, Dennis CTR USAF AFMC MDA/AL wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  I have some fairly significant scratches on the polycarbonate windshield

of my Mark-3.

Not so much deep scratches, but many swirls of scratches.  Similar to

what you'd expect if you took sand paper and wiped it across the

surface.



Do I need to replace the whole windshield, or can these be buffed out?



I've seen products designed to remove scratches from Plexiglas.  Would

these same products work for Lexan?


	


Yes, they will work on any clear plastic.  It takes a fair amount of elbow 

grease, though.  Just the other day I used Meguire's Plast-X from the local 

auto parts store to make the clear face shield on my flying helmet usable 

again... took about a half hour of vigorous polishing.  It might be easier 

with an electric drill with a buffing pad, I didn't try that.



One thing, don't ever use paper towels to clean your windshield!  Paper is 

abrasive and will make the kind of scratches you describe.  Use only a soft 

cotton cloth.



-Dana

--

  The man who would be fully employed should procure a ship or a woman, for 

no two things produce more trouble" - Plautus 254-184 B.C.

grantr

Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 217

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject: Re: Scratches in Lexan Windshield

Also don't rub in circles. Rub in straight lines up and down that way if it scratches which it will over time it will not be as hard to see through. 



Use only a soft cotton cloth to clean.

Steven Green

Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 118

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 5:56 pm Post subject: Scratches in Lexan Windshield

Dennis



I use Kit paste car wax after I have cleaned mine.  I usually wet a towel 

and lay it on the windshield for a while to soften the bugs and not have to 

scrub too hard.  You might check with Travis, He had Mark 3 lexan on sale at 

one time.  Overstock I think.  I keep a chamois in the plane for anytime 

that I have to dry the windows.



Steven Green

_________________
Steven Green

N111KX (Kip)

Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Posts: 96
Location: Atlanta, GA

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject: Re: Scratches in Lexan Windshield

Plexus cleaner and an old t-shirt will do wonders! I love it so much I should buy the company...

Kip

_________________
Kip
Firestar II, N111KX
Waiex, N111YX
Quickie 1, N111QX
Atlanta

slyck(at)frontiernet.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:27 pm Post subject: Scratches in Lexan Windshield

Kit "scratch out" works great on automotive clearcoat.  Should do ok  

on lexan too.



More than once I have mentioned that GE sells a scratch resistant  

polycarbonate called MR10.

-or did anyway.  I have it on my MkIII and it still is as clear as new.

Don't know why nobody else has tried it?????

BB



On 3, Nov 2008, at 8:56 PM, Steven Green wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <Kolbdriver(at)bellsouth.net>



 Dennis



 I use Kit paste car wax after I have cleaned mine.  I usually wet a  

 towel and lay it on the windshield for a while to soften the bugs  

 and not have to scrub too hard.  You might check with Travis, He  

 had Mark 3 lexan on sale at one time.  Overstock I think.  I keep a  

 chamois in the plane for anytime that I have to dry the windows.



 Steven Green

purplemoon99(at)bellsouth
Guest

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject: Scratches in Lexan Windshield

If you ever replace the windshield , use MR 4000 Lexan by G E the MR stands 

for mar- resistance......that is the best...    Joe N101HD

---

purplemoon99(at)bellsouth
Guest

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject: Scratches in Lexan Windshield

If your head or arm ever goes through  it you won't love it it will cut the 

shit out of you,very jaged, and very sharp,also the material will cause 

infection. I know frist hand. Joe N101HD

---

Thom Riddle

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)

Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:13 am Post subject: Re: Scratches in Lexan Windshield

Dennis,



Here is what I've used with good results.



Novus Plastic polish #1     cleans and protects

Novus Plastic polish #2       restores and refinishes  (removes fine scratches)

Novus Plastic polish #3      removes heavy scratches    (aggressive polish)

 

Available from Aircraft Spruce.

_________________
Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)

Don't worry about old age... it doesn't last very long.
- Anonymous

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