Getting scratches out of the lexan window covers

[Riverdrifter]

Had my AS to the local dealer and they washed it which put some scratches in the front window covers. Is there a way to polish them out? Thanks! Rick

[dznf0g]

If they are swirl marks, rather than scratches...just wax them with automotive wax. They disappear for the usual length of time that auto wax lasts.....maybe 6 months, out in the weather.

I just had a thought that Rain-ex might work too....from other types of applications.

hmmm, maybe 303 Protectant too........

[Phoenix]

I haven't tried this, but some of the headlight restorer kits would probably work. We use one that comes in a squeeze bottle and looks like auto wax; I think it is Meguiar's, but don't remember for sure.

I use this liquid paste on our old Prius headlights; and it looks like auto polish, only it's a much finer abrasive/polish than used on car finishes.

I'd see if a friend or neighbor with an older car has some of this stuff, and just try it in a little spot on the inside where it won't show if it scratches the finish. However, I think I will try this on our smoked cover.

[Bluto]

I've used a product from BlueMagic that worked pretty well to polish the plexiglas shields. It's was made for plexiglass and plastic applications. Here's link to their product.



http://bluemagicusa.com/index.php/bl...glass_cleaner/

[Cannonball]

Use Novus plastic polish. We used it on my wife's convertible window that the cat had used as a slip-n-slide.

[cwf]

Novus.

[Phoenix]

I looked up "Novus", and it appears to be one of many plexiglass polishes. Besides Novus, most likely there are numerous products at this link that might also work:

Google search: "aircraft plexiglass windshield polish"

[Johnco]

Griots has a plastic polish and plastic cleaner that work well too.

[NavyCorpsman]

I use a product called X20 on my Goldwing. It works great an I got it at WM. Meguiars is good too. It the scratches are shallow, the polishing can be done by hand. Occasionally I have to go after them with a wool bonnet.

[tyggeln]

When I was in shop class many years ago, for plexiglass projects we would cut then file and sand the edges smooth. To get a glassy finish we would use steel wool with Brasso - quickly polished the sanding and filing marks and returned a nice finish. I have a couple bad scratches on my window cover that need to be addressed.

[thesignlady]

Oh hey... I bought a Cyclo recently and they email out tips and tricks. If you have one or access to one I am sure this headlight restoration tip would work pretty much the same for fixing scratches in lexan...

See below...


Simple Headlight Restoration with a Cyclo Polisher.

Headlight Restoration VideoHeadlight restoration often requires the restoration of an acrylic lens cover. Essentially the process is dedicated to resurfacing the cover and then polishing. We have learned about a restoration process that uses a standard heavy-duty compound and Genuine Cyclo Wool Pads.




Here is an outline of the process:
Clean the lens cover with soap and water.Untreated Headlight
Allow the lens cover to dry completely. Remove any standing water with a towel or compressed air.
If lens requires substantial restoration it is recommended that you tape-off the painted areas to avoid any contact with pads and chemicals during headlight restoration process. Headlight Restore Pad Configuration
Configure your Cyclo Polisher with a one Original Cyclo Cutting Wool pad and one Blue Polishing Wool Pad.
Apply a nickle sized dot of heavy compound to the Original Cyclo Cutting Wool Pad - we used our CTI Pro Paint Care Heavy Compound Gel. It is not necessary to apply any product to the Blue Polishing Wool Pad.

Begin restoring the headlight by cutting with the Original Cyclo Wool pad and compound. During the same pass, allow the Blue Wool Polishing Pad to polish and restore treated area.
It is recommended that restore half of the headlight then re-apply a nickle sized drop of compound to the Original Cyclo Cutting Wool Pad to complete the other half.Restored Headlight
Wipe down with a microfiber towel to complete.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP5g...el_video_title

[BAB]

Just realize that these window guards are made of very thin and very flexible material. (Maybe one notch less flexible than the old rear windows in convertibles.) They scratch very, very easily. For sure they are much more fragile than the covers over headlights. Mine are brand-new right now, but I know they'll acquire scratches as those on my last trailer did. Oh, and every kind of nasty bug you have ever seen. But the panorama windows are fine, and I guess that's the point.

[Royce]

I have had good success with MicroMesh. Just be sure to use it with water per instructions.

Buy Micro-Mesh Small Sanding Kit at Woodcraft.com

[Riverdrifter]

I tried Griot's car wax and surprisingly it took out much of the scratches!

[Siegmann]

Not to hijack this thread, as this is somewhat related, but for "star" cracks from a rock impact.... has anyone tried using a windshield crack repair kit to fill this and reduce their visibility or future growth?

[NavyCorpsman]

A very small hole drilled at the end of each radial crack will halt progression.
Permatex makes a radiator recovery tank repair kit that is great in patching all kinds of things. It does get quite warm when you add the catalyst, but not enough to damage the thin plastic.

[Siegmann]

That Permatex kit is designed to work with a fiberglass cloth. I was looking to retain the optical clarity of the plastic. Thanks anyway.