Old, hazy windshield

grant1973

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 16, 2003
Messages
76
Hey all!<br /><br />If anyone knows how to clear up a foggy, weather-aged plexiglass windshield ......I am open for discussion. I put my greasey hands on it one time and noticed that the hand print was easier to see through than other spots. Maybe I could wipe er' down with some WD-40 or maybe hit it with some Wesson cooking oil?? ;) hehe<br />There is always the obvious method of replacement ....that I think would be a custom fab job = $$<br /><br />Please help me who ever.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Me
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Old, hazy windshield

I have had success polishing out spots with Crest toothpaste. I know it sounds stupid but the old ORIGINAL Crest has a very small amount of abrasive that won't scratch but will polish it.<br /><br />Works good for plastic sunglasses too.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Old, hazy windshield

I believe there is a product used to polish the<br />plexiglass windscreens on motorcycles.A bike shop should be able to help.
 

LubeDude

Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
6,945
Re: Old, hazy windshield

Im not sure exactly what these were made of, Plexiglass, lexan, etc. My sky lights in my house are plastic of some kind, and after 10 years they took on a dull finish. I wet sanded them with 1500 grit wet paper, and polished them with 3M heavy duty rubbing compound and a wool pad and then final finished with a foam pad using 3M finnesit. Then a coat of wax. They look like new.
 

kshelly

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 9, 2004
Messages
124
Re: Old, hazy windshield

I'm not sure if it's available outside the aviation world, but there's a sanding system called "MicroMesh" that is for such an application. It's used on cockpit windows. It's a series of fine grit sandpaper and a polishing compound. I forget what the final grit is, but it's incredibly fine. Something like 8000 grit. I kid you not, 8000! It's feels more like a fine cloth instead of sanding paper. Anybody been able to find this kit?
 

Bass Runner

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 2, 2004
Messages
746
Re: Old, hazy windshield

I have had some luck using Never-dull, I know I know it's an aluminum polish but it worked for me, also works for those dull headlight lenses on the newer cars. Wierd but true :D
 

Link

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
4,221
Re: Old, hazy windshield

Haven't used it myself but a friend who I work with on high end houses once in awhile asked me to pick him up some 3M Plactic Cleaner #39017 so he could clean up some outside sky lite panels with some scratches in them. He gave me the bottle which is why I have the part number.<br /><br />DJ<br />
I have had success polishing out spots with Crest toothpaste. I know it sounds stupid but the old ORIGINAL Crest has a very small amount of abrasive that won't scratch but will polish it.<br /><br />Works good for plastic sunglasses too. <br />
Had a CD a couple of weeks ago that neither player in the computer would read. Called my local puter guru and he told me to use my fingers and CREST tooth paste.<br />IT WORKED!
 

kcole683

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Messages
159
Re: Old, hazy windshield

Brasso works well on watch crystals and some plastics.<br />Try with caution. Dont know what it would do with plexi.<br /><br />I have had good luck wit it on different types of plastics.
 

quantumleap

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
813
Re: Old, hazy windshield

Some boat shops and automotive paint and detail shops carry 3M plastic cleaner and polisher. They are two separate products but work very well. The cleaner is advertised to remove stains and haziness from automotive plastics. Then follow up with polisher. Cleaner is part #39017 and polisher is part #39010.
 

Yepblaze

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
1,686
Re: Old, hazy windshield

Not sure if they have them here at I boats or not but,<br /><br />These products are available at West Marine.<br /> <br />
03017_f.jpg
<br /> <br />
03015_f.jpg
<br /><br />I've had good luck using the polish.
 

quantumleap

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
813
Re: Old, hazy windshield

I've seen the Meguiar's products that Yepblaze is showing you at my local boat shop too. I bet it is a very similar product to the 3M.
 

grant1973

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 16, 2003
Messages
76
Re: Old, hazy windshield

Thanks everyone for the input. <br /><br />I will start from the top and work down till I find one that works for me.
 

grant1973

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 16, 2003
Messages
76
Re: Old, hazy windshield

I thought that I still had some Meguiar's plastic polish lying around....but I didn't. So I grabbed some car wax and hit my shield. Worked great on about 80% of it......Still need to get a little more aggressive in spots.
 

18rabbit

Captain
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
3,202
Re: Old, hazy windshield

If you don’t have experience with this, you may not want to try it as it could ruin your windshield. Heat will give you the best restoration. Ideally, you need a source and a means to control it. With plexi I use a handheld propane torch. Polishing compound is easier but cannot restore the surface brilliance, although it probably gets close enough that it doesn’t matter…and you’re not likely to destroy your windshield somewhere in a learning curve. :) <br /><br />Your greasy handprint filled in the micro-scratches and renewed the lens surface with less refraction, so you could see thru it better. Also why it looks good when wet. FWIW, you can see a little better thru a foggy windshield with polarized sunglasses, too.
 

BugTosser

Cadet
Joined
Mar 23, 2004
Messages
22
Re: Old, hazy windshield

Another Thumbs up for the Meguires .<br /><br />Stuff works !
 

delta breeze

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 25, 2004
Messages
76
Re: Old, hazy windshield

There is a product in the aviation industry called<br />Micromesh.It is a process used to actually remove a layer of the window and polishes it back out.You must have some patience with this process but it will work.Check online at aircraft spruce or aar cooper, these are aviation supply places.<br /> Happy boating,<br /> Delta Breeze<br /><br />s.
 
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