Motorcycle Windshield Tips

Let's get a look at what I find to be a very common problem. Cleaning the Plexus, plexiglass or Lexan style components on the motorcycle. Whether it'd be a detachable windshield, a fixed windshield on a dresser, lenses whether they turn signal, tail lamp or headlamp, you'll find there's a lot of clear plastic being used these days. No matter what you do, you're gonna get debris. Whether it's bugs or road grime, road salt, depending on the conditions you ride. The key with correctly cleaning and maintaining any clear Lexan or plexiglass component is a rule of thumb is always least aggressive towards more aggressive. If you've got a bug stain, always try the least aggressive method to remove it before trying something that's more harsh. Typically a nice blast of a good quality glass cleaner, let it soak and use a good quality towel whether it be microfiber or paper and just carefully wipe away, whatever happens to be stuck to your windshield, your headlamp or your lenses. There is a number of products out there. From glass cleaners to plastic maintainers and polishes. I, myself just like to use a little Spritz of the plastic clean and shine. Once the glass, the plexiglass surface is cleaned, I never apply the product directly to it, I always apply it to the towel, and then just give it a nice wipe. This is kind of like waxing the paint on your fuel tank. What you're doing you're not only cleaning, but you're offering a nice protective coating on top of the plexiglass or Lexan. Again, never use any harsh products. Make sure the products you're using are manufactured specifically for the product you're putting them on. Just for example, if you were to use a harsh solvent, something like a brake cleaner or a carburetor cleaner on a Lexan product, chances are it's gonna create a big dull spot. Sure it's gonna clean whatever it is off because it is a fairly aggressive solvent, but when it dries, it's gonna create a dull area and it's gonna make looking through the windshield hazy. Now it's not the end of the world, you certainly don't wanna do that, but if you happen to dull out the finish, there is a number of fine polishes that are used not to only remove haze, but also remove scratching. And if you ride enough scratches and damage to the windshield are bound to happen. So again you never apply the product directly to the surface always apply it to the towel and then you gently rub. You're gonna work it right into the Plexiglass or Lexan product, and what you're typically doing is removing a fine layer. You're removing the damaged area and making the component transparent again. And again depending on the extent of the damage you may have to do the entire component, but try not to let any damage occur to the component. Always use the least aggressive method, see if you can remove what is stuck to the windshield, then work your way up to a finer polish to a more aggressive polish if necessary. But remember, if you use an aggressive polish like something to remove heavy scratches, you always need to polish out in steps. Use the heaviest, the least heaviest and then a shine type product. Always work it out don't depend on the heaviest to be the last step. Work the scratch out, work it out with a finer compound so to say, and then use some type of shine product. Something to clean and do a final shine. By maintaining your windshield, not only does it make the appearance to the motorcycle much better, but it extends the life of the component itself. For example, if you were to leave this windshield unmaintained, you'd probably cut the lifespan of the windshield being able to see through it clearly. You would cut it in half. So much like cleaning the rest of the motorcycle, make sure you include all your Lexan or plexiglass components. Maintain them the same way you maintain the rest of the motorcycle.