What do you use to clean your windshield?

[SafetyMan]

I've tried about everything I can think of.

It comes clean, but there are still "ghosts" or "dull spots" from bugs that I can't seem to get off.

I've tried windex, HD Spray cleaner and polish, Harley Gloss, plain water and wet towels on it to soak... for hours... Hell I don't remember everything I've tried...

My next step is a plastic polish, it's actually a plastic rubbing compound, designed for plastic headlight lenses.

[Berserker]

I thought everyone on the forums used pledge? All I use. I have tried the two step mquiures process for winsheilds, but can't really say its that great.

I carry a can of pledge and towel on trips. I clean it almost daily even around town. A dirty windhshield sucks at night with head light glare.

I think windex is supposed to be bad for the plastic, same for the gas station stuff. I'll use that just to scrape the bugs off, on a rare occasion.

[Geezer-Glide]

I forget the brand, it might be Novus, but it's a plexiglass polish. Like a fine polishing compound for clear plexiglass. My dealer carries it, probably most bike shops will have it.

[Berserker]

Pledge works good too. Cheap.

[GrayRider]

Does anybody use Pledge?

[Berserker]

I've heard it works good. Read it on a forum.

[Xkvator]

Does anybody use Pledge?


Lemon...?

[Xkvator]

I've heard it works good. Read it on a forum.
try it & let us know...

[Berserker]

My FLHR I put in the shower. But you still need a cleaner for the spots.

[GrayRider]

I read somewhere that Pledge works well.

[Xkvator]

I read somewhere that Pledge works well.
Lemon...?

[Berserker]

Isn't that for furniture? What self respecting biker would use that? Sure wouldn't be cool. Have to give a chick a buck to walk in a buy it for him, even if he would consider using that while dressed as a pirate.

[Xkvator]

http://www.tulsaenterprises.com/hints.html

[TalonChief]

I use Novus #1 for general cleaning. They make more abrasive grades if you have scratches or dings you need to polish out.

[fxr4mikey]

I'm thinking that I might try pledge, seems like I read about it in a forum somewhere ............ :blink:

[Dogbreath1956]

plexus.

[LittleBear]

Micro fiber cloth and water. Windshield cut down so I see over it, so fog does not matter.
My Heritage windshield is trashed. No way you could see through it at night with lights hitting it. It just get that way from the wind and rocks and general abuse motorcycles are rumored to give things.

[GrayRider]

Micro fiber cloth and water. Windshield cut down so I see over it, so fog does not matter.
My Heritage windshield is trashed. No way you could see through it at night with lights hitting it. It just get that way from the wind and rocks and general abuse motorcycles are rumored to give things.

What about Pledge?

[noodles]

What about Pledge?

Lemon...?

[noodles]

:Poke: SaftyMAn, i just use spit and a little dirt.......for bugs,
and i pee on it to remove road film!~
`
`
`
`
`
`:woohoo:

[Seminolebagger]

How's it goin Safetyman,

Water only to clean. I got some stuff with my Cee Bailey Windshield called "Cee Bailey's Premium aircraft windshield cleaner and polish". Works great and won't hurt the windshield.

Truthfully, you probably screwed the pooch putting cleaners and stuff on it. Once it's done, it's done. No going back.

SB

[SafetyMan]

HD brand stuff says it's safe for HD Lexan windshields. I read labels.

Windex... may have hurt, but someone will have to explain how.

Fact is, plain water wasn't cutting it. That's where I started.

I don't know what's in the bug guts in other parts of the country, but here in Michigan, it's some nasty sh!t. I literally soaked my windshield for 5 hours one day, to no avail. THAT's when the cleaners started coming out.

I think I'll try Pledge.

If Zerker says it works, I believe it works.

[TalonChief]

HD brand stuff says it's safe for HD Lexan windshields. I read labels.

Windex... may have hurt, but someone will have to explain how.

Fact is, plain water wasn't cutting it. That's where I started.

I don't know what's in the bug guts in other parts of the country, but here in Michigan, it's some nasty sh!t. I literally soaked my windshield for 5 hours one day, to no avail. THAT's when the cleaners started coming out.

I think I'll try Pledge.

If Zerker says it works, I believe it works.

Pledge may bead water off of it, but it will not polish out blemishes. You need a real plastic polish, like Novus. Try #1 first and if that does not handle it, get some #2 and that should take it out.

We use, well I used to use, Permatex plastic polish on fighter canopies. Trust me, they get more abuse than your windshield ever will. It came in cans and was thick and white. It was commonly referred to as "whale sperm."

[SafetyMan]

They don't carry ANYthing for windshields at my local dealer.

I'm in the middle of nowhere... next nearest dealer is 80ish miles away.




What I have is

Meguiar's PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish
-Removes fine scratches, cloudiness & stubborn oxidation.
-Restore clarity to clear plastics with PlastX. Cutting-edge advancements in micro-abrasive technology gently remove surface stains to clean clear plastics. Vital conditioning oils restore optical clarity, while highly wter-resistant polymers provide long-lasting durable protection. PlastX is non-toxic and does not contain any harsh solvents.

Use PlastX on:
-Plastic Headlights
-Plastic boat windows
-Convertible windows
-Hard plexiglass surfaces
-Scratched CD surfaces

It is light blue in color, and has a soapy odor....


Should I...

A. Go for it.

B. Toss it and continue my search... maybe for the Novus.

[TalonChief]

They don't carry ANYthing for windshields at my local dealer.

I'm in the middle of nowhere... next nearest dealer is 80ish miles away.




What I have is



It is light blue in color, and has a soapy odor....


Should I...

A. Go for it.

B. Toss it and continue my search... maybe for the Novus.

I'd go with A, but it's your windshield.

[genoway]

I use the squeegy at the gas station. don't tell 9s, he has heart failure when he sees it.

[Dinero]

Windex and other cleaners, like the gas station, usually have ammonia in them and will eventually score a windshield badly.

All furniture polishes that clean off the old polish have silicates (think sandpaper here) to facilitate the cleaning process. Once again, scoring will be the ultimate result.

Read the ingredients very thoroughly and make sure that whatever you use is not contraindicated for plastic and lexan.

[Berserker]

All furniture polishes that clean off the old polish have silicates (think sandpaper here) to facilitate the cleaning process. Once again, scoring will be the ultimate result.
.

So don't use pledge.

Endust, says no silicone. Same as silicatges?? I usually use :whistling:

[d j]

I know I'm doing it WRONG,but.....

I'm a clean w/shield nut.At gas stops I want to gas,pee and get rolling as soon as possible.I just soak a few paper towels in the w/washer tank and soak it down and dry it off with a couple more paper towels.

Here's the deal.I feel the w/shield is gonna get scratched cleaning those damn Midwest bugs off no matter what product you use.Those bug bodies have a skeleton that will scratch no matter what you do short of a 20 min soak with hot towels.

This year my w/shield did OK,and I would maybe go another year with it....but I used friggen Rain-X on it.Now at night the glare from headlights is really bad.That slht really messes up plastic w/shields.It's a haze that will not go away,sucks.

I buy a new w/shield every year or two at the 20% off spring sale.

[pairofnines]

I use the squeegy at the gas station. don't tell 9s, he has heart failure when he sees it.

I'm still scared from seeing you do that>:roflback: :roflback:



If you were not my friend I would call you a "dumba$$">

Well ----- you are still my friend but my "dumba$$ friend" non the less>:roflback: :roflback:

[Berserker]

I know I'm doing it WRONG,but.....



I buy a new w/shield every year or two at the 20% off spring sale.

You wouldn't have to buy a new one if you didn't use the windex:roflback: Then again I didn't think you kept a bike long enought to find out:Poke:

[Crabby Appleton]

WARM water....soft cloth.....Pledge is for furniture :Poke:

[Berserker]

Even with water you need something to get the spots and streaking out. Pledge is an old favorite from across the street.

[Crabby Appleton]

Even with water you need something to get the spots and streaking out. Pledge is an old favorite from across the street.



Not with warm water (at least I havent had any problem) takes the bugs right off....no streaks....no spots.....jus sayin

[Berserker]

Other thing I find that helps, is keep up with it. If you clean daily its not so bad.


I got a lot of residue haze on the bottom on my FLHR, I tried to get off. So far no luck. Probably just need to keep trying. I kinda neglect the bottom.

[SafetyMan]

That's my problem. I didn't buy it to wash it. I bought it to ride.

When I think about trying to clean the windshield, I just jump on it and RIDE!

[Berserker]

I am not a polisher. Its not about that. You need a clean windsheild to ride at night. I got a can on the shelf in the garage. Last night I knew I would come home late, but it in the tourpak.

Takes me less then 30 seconds to do it. If you keep up with it.

[YankeeBob]

A Harley tech once shared a tip with me. Easy Off oven cleaner.
You remove the shield from the bike, lean it up against a tree or something. Spray some oven cleaner on it and wait about 5 minutes. Then thoroughly wash with warm water and a soft cloth. Dry as you normally would.

[ridingjerry]

My windshield is 10 years old and looks it.

(but is has spent years inside and not on the bike)
The biggest issue is it is fogged real bad.
So far, the best thing that cleans it is the orange cleaner stuff that has
orange oil in it.
I have a jug in the shop.
I wet the windshield, apply orange cleaner (citrus cleaner) with a soft
cloth, let it sit, rub softly with the cloth, rinse.
It appears to clean the windshield for a few weeks of the fogged appearance then it fogs back again.

I think that the best thing at this point is to replace the windshield.


I'll follow this thread to learn more.









and I'll ask the wife where the pledge is.

[d j]

Hay,
I still want a clean w/shield when I ride.When I ride, I RIDE.That means several gas stops in a 400 to 500 mile day.I clean the w/shield at each gas stop....in the Midwest....in bug country.

I really don't care if I buy a new w/shield once a year.I consider them a wear item to be replaced as needed.Period.

Remember,gas,clean w/shield, pee,and back on the road.No pledge, no hot towels ,no bs,1 2 43. GO.

[noodles]

WARM water....soft cloth.....Pledge is for furniture :Poke:

YEP...............There ya go!
`
`
`NExt question please~

[noodles]

If i am at home i will put a beach towel over the windshield and wet it with the water hose and let it sit for 5 minutes (several beers, just spray it several more times to keep it wet) and then wipe the soften bugs right off!

[d j]

If i am at home i will put a beach towel over the windshield and wet it with the water hose and let it sit for 5 minutes (several beers, just spray it several more times to keep it wet) and then wipe the soften bugs right off!

Oh,heck yea.At home I'll do the same thing to it and the Batwing.

[SafetyMan]

You need a clean windsheild to ride at night.

I don't.... maybe you should try sitting on a phone book. And not one of those like from the UP, get one of the Chicago guys to save one for you.
:Poke: :Poke: :Poke:

If I'm looking through my windshield, I only see pavement.

Glare, foggy, rain, bugs don't bother me when I'm riding....

I just want to be able to clean it when I wash the bike, and not have the crap left on it.

[ridingjerry]

I don't.... maybe you should try sitting on a phone book. And not one of those like from the UP, get one of the Chicago guys to save one for you.
:Poke: :Poke: :Poke:

If I'm looking through my windshield, I only see pavement.

Glare, foggy, rain, bugs don't bother me when I'm riding....

I just want to be able to clean it when I wash the bike, and not have the crap left on it.



:roflback: :roflback: :roflback:


I will say that mine is low enough to see over when I'm riding.
I have to crouch to look through it.
(don't like looking through so many layers of plastic)

:Poke:

[Berserker]

Hay,
I still want a clean w/shield when I ride.When I ride, I RIDE.That means several gas stops in a 400 to 500 mile day.I clean the w/shield at each gas stop....in the Midwest....in bug country.

I really don't care if I buy a new w/shield once a year.I consider them a wear item to be replaced as needed.Period.

Remember,gas,clean w/shield, pee,and back on the road.No pledge, no hot towels ,no bs,1 2 43. GO.

Well now I am worried. If you replace it in the spring that means it is wearing all year, getting worse. By fall it must be in need of replacement. So you are riding for awhile with a bad windshield.


I just carry a can of pledge in the tourpak. YOu do it often, it takes about 30 seconds.

[Berserker]

I don't.... maybe you should try sitting on a phone book. And not one of those like from the UP, get one of the Chicago guys to save one for you.
:Poke: :Poke: :Poke:

If it.

:roflback:

[unchained]

If i am at home i will put a beach towel over the windshield and wet it with the water hose and let it sit for 5 minutes (several beers, just spray it several more times to keep it wet) and then wipe the soften bugs right off!

I haven't seen you do this since the Electra Glide. (Although it did work great then.) Now you just wait 'cause you know eventually I'm gonna get tired of looking at the bug splatters and clean it for you. :Poke: :laugh:

[majikman]

I'm thinking that I might try pledge, seems like I read about it in a forum somewhere ............ :blink:

Off topic I know but had to comment on your pic of the Old Mackinac Light in MackinaW City. My old stomping grounds.

[noodles]

I haven't seen you do this since the Electra Glide. (Although it did work great then.) Now you just wait 'cause you know eventually I'm gonna get tired of looking at the bug splatters and clean it for you. :Poke: :laugh:

:coffee:

[Infidel!]

I've used this stuff called bugs-be-gone. I get it at Orielly's auto parts. It's the best stuff I've seen for removing even old baked on bugs.

[SafetyMan]

I haven't seen you do this since the Electra Glide. (Although it did work great then.) Now you just wait 'cause you know eventually I'm gonna get tired of looking at the bug splatters and clean it for you. :Poke: :laugh:



Sounds like an even BETTER way, No0dles!!


You da MAN!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[trmn8r]

http://www.viewpoints.com/images/review/2007/161/17/1181513719-86537_full.jpg

***** cleaner and polish... or the new no CFC replacement from Amprep.

better than Pledge because it doesn't leave the oily residue you have to keep wiping and wiping to get off.

[dynageno]

http://www.viewpoints.com/images/review/2007/161/17/1181513719-86537_full.jpg

***** cleaner and polish... or the new no CFC replacement from Amprep.

better than Pledge because it doesn't leave the oily residue you have to keep wiping and wiping to get off.

cleaner and polish... or the new no CFC replacement from Amprep.
I agree

[Berserker]

Pledge does leave residue on the tank and mirrors if your not careful.

[unchained]

http://www.viewpoints.com/images/review/2007/161/17/1181513719-86537_full.jpg

***** cleaner and polish... or the new no CFC replacement from Amprep.

better than Pledge because it doesn't leave the oily residue you have to keep wiping and wiping to get off.


One of the guys used this on my windshield today. He said it would make the rain roll right off. Don't know if it really does though since it didn't rain on us.

I used to use that all the time though. :thumbsup:

[mieltje]

why buying and trying all kind of stuff , keep yr money in yr pocket ... i use a woman nylon sock with cold fresh water ( no cleaning product ) ... wipe the shield with the sock with lot of water ... wait a while ( as one bro said , have a beer ) ... then again with water and all comes of and leaves no scratches or traces . My shield is 40000 miles on the bike and still looks as new .... kinda grandma's trick , good luck !

[Berserker]

I've used panties and pledge.

[TalonChief]

I've used panties and pledge.

:softball:

[goingsking]

I tried a lot of things and this without a doubt works the best. It is easy to use, inexpensive and covers scratches....Permetex 403 D. Here is a link and it is available at NAPA and most other parts stores.

http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/cleaners1/specialty_cleaners/auto_Permatex_Plastic_Cleaner.htm

[Dinero]

I've used panties and pledge.

"Wax on. Wax off, Grasshopper."

[Deejay]

Plexus for cleaning.
Novus #1 for fine scratch removal.

[Berserker]

That would work if there was no grocery stores around.

[Big Tom]

:2cents: I use Novus #1

[Luke611]

Carl used to use vinegar, said it was the best cleaner for almost anything. Of course I couldn't stand to be in the house when it was in use,but no system's perfect.

I've been using windex for 5 years. Not too foggy. When it gets too bad I'll replace it. (But not annually).

[ridingjerry]

Got inspired this weekend and cleaned my windshield again with the
citrus cleaner.
The cleaner does a good job and did remove the fogged look.


Now what do you use to make the water peel off?