I know you can clean glass windshields, but how about lexan? Project Lincoln's lexan windshield is filthy and full of light scratches, and it has to race this weekend.
Is there a magical lexan polish we should be using?
Do I need to mix coffee with ATF or otherwise make a GRM concoction?
Should I try the Karate Kid "Wax on, wax off" movement?
Should I do a dance and hope it gets cleaner?
Call your local plastics shop, they probably have some cleaners you can use. I use Novus plastic cleaners.
Darn. I thought they wanted another intern....
Stealthtercel wrote: Darn. I thought they wanted another intern....
Me too:
Get a clear over-laminate for it after you clean it gently. It will save you time, money and stress in the long run.
For cleaning we use hi-sheen and a microfiber then follow up with plastic x from Meguirs.
IIRC there is a special cleaner for plexiglass and lexan. Anything else will scratch it.
An ag pilot taught me that.
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-10-Plastic-Polish-Cleaner/product-reviews/B0002VAZ34/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
Meguiar's #10 & #17
This used to be the highly recommended stuff for Miata plastic rear windows.
Not sure how it does on Lexan.
Honest living! Honest living!
JRW's recommendation is what I've used to polish plastic headlights in the past.
spitfirebill wrote: IIRC there is a special cleaner for plexiglass and lexan. Anything else will scratch it. An ag pilot taught me that.
Agreed
You can pre rinse with a water sprayer of some sort (think pressure washer or at least bug garden sprayer). Just avoid wiping across it if you can, to eliminate any chances of scratches if you don't have the coated kind. Once it is clean I recommend using rain-x, it will make spray offs that much easier. But be careful about different cleaning agents too some (like rain-x anti fog) will put a nasty haze across lexan.
PLEXUS, is all i'll use now before that was pledge. Stay a way from "glass cleaners" then can cause yellowing.
Any bike shop worht there weight will have Plexus or novis.
I bought some Maguire's plastic polish from a motorcycle shop that was going out of business, worked well at light scratches and fog.
Don't know if I'd buy it at full price though.
Dan
The following is from my local airplane window manufacturer. It is the method that I use.
Plastics have many advantages over glass for aircraft use, but they lack the surface hardness of glass, and care must be exercised while servicing the aircraft to avoid scratching or otherwise damaging the surface. CLEANING: Clean the plastic by washing with plenty of water and mild soap, using a clean, soft, grit-free cloth, sponge, or bare hands. Do not use gasoline, alcohol, benzene, acetone, carbon tetrachloride, fire extinguisher or deicing fluids, lacquer thinners, or window cleaning sprays because they will soften the plastic and cause crazing. PLASTICS SHOULD NOT BE RUBBED with a dry cloth since this is likely to cause scratches, and also build up an electrostatic charge which attracts dust particles to the surface. If after removing dirt and grease no great amount of scratching is visible, finish the plastic with a good grade of commercial wax. Apply the wax in a thin even coat and bring to a high polish by rubbing lightly with a soft cloth. POLISHING: Do not attempt hand polishing or buffing until the surface is clean. A soft, open-type cotton or flannel buffing wheel is suggested. Minor scratches may be removed by vigorously rubbing the affected area by hand, using a soft clean cloth dampened with a mixture of turpentine and chalk, or by applying automobile cleanser with a damp cloth. Remove the cleaner and polish with a soft, dry cloth. Acrylic and cellulose acetate plastics are thermoplastic. Friction created by buffing or polishing too long in one spot can generate sufficient heat to soften the surface. This will produce visual distortion and is to be guarded against. From AC 43.13-1A .
http://www.glapinc.com/instructions/cleanandpolish.htm
PlastX
Meguiar's makes it
Never, NEVER, NEVER use Windex. I work for an Ophthalmology practice and they see more plastic lens ruined by it.
New lexan install then call Tearoffguys link
Why not use a couple of those headlight polishing kits?
All very good selections mentioned. But to add a GRM way for this that I learned in the military. Brasso works well polishing plastics.
wlkelley3 wrote: All very good selections mentioned. But to add a GRM way for this that I learned in the military. Brasso works well polishing plastics.
Miltary... if it doesn't move.. polish it, if you can't polish it, paint it.. if you can't paint it.. Salute it
wlkelley3 wrote: All very good selections mentioned. But to add a GRM way for this that I learned in the military. Brasso works well polishing plastics.
Brasso is the shiz...., I tried several of those "headlight restoration" kits from various companies on my wife's E46 vert and wasn't impressed. I started digging around the garage, found the Brasso and shazamm!
In reply to Tom Suddard:
After repainting the repaired crash damage on my race car this winter I found overspray and propellant haze on my polycarbonate side and rear windows that had not been removed for the repair. I have been a devotee of Griots Garage products for a number of years for all my cars and trucks so I ordered and used their plastic polish. I have used their P-C random orbital polisher and foam pads with their other polishes and waxes so already had that and the microfiber cloths. The polish removed the haze and overspray and blended most of the existing minor scratches so the windows look almost new again. I know some of their stuff is a couple bucks more than similar competing products but it is worth the price to me because everything they sell works for me so I dont need to shop around, wasting time and money on things that dont live up to the claims made for them. 
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