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 Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches

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Punisher

Punisher


Posts : 534
Join date : 2013-01-08
Age : 56
Location : Ohio - Mud Country

Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  Empty
PostSubject: Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches    Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  Icon_minitimeSat Aug 30, 2014 8:58 am

Yesterday the brown truck dropped off my used 1/2 windshield from a salvage yard in AZ.
It was cheap, and being cheap I expected to see a lot of scratches.
Not to be disappointed , lol , when I opened the box that was confirmed , along with surprise Rolling Eyes a white haze from some sort of improper chemical used to clean the windshield Neutral

Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  AD7B92A4-5A22-4B36-9FF5-DF6066CA4A20_zpscoow0qeu
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  52D72AA3-8D6C-4004-86FE-401315B856AC_zpsshb3yt8s
1st step is to wet sand with 1500 grit sandpaper and a sanding block.
Then buff with rubbing compound , a compound pad - foam or wool - wet sand again with 2000 grit sandpaper .
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  B1661927-8C58-4D01-80BE-5A1516D15E29_zps3ttn8kyz
It should look something like this - as you are thinking what the heck did I just do to this , now its ruined Shocked
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  C6D7009D-B605-4A32-950E-56440BC10D2F_zpsgmextc6s
Apply compound - 3m Finesse in this case - and buff at 2000-2500 rpm
I clamped the windshield to the work table with welding clamps using cardboard spacers to keep the windshield in place .
Clamped away from the area I was working on & also clamped it in areas where the mount holes are or at the bottom where the trim strip goes.
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  AEE9F9BC-F6B7-4AF9-B5F3-81D2FF83D48A_zpsoefg2rdi
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  9800C491-7ACF-4028-9229-F27780506F73_zpscrhuqvl5
After initial buff you probably will find that more wet sanding is needed with 1500 or 2000 grit depending on scratches depth . I chased a couple deep scratches , was able to remove one and knocked the other one down considerably to where its transparent .
I sanded again with 1500 , Buffed again with compound sanded with 2000 , then buffed again .
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  204ECD02-4381-40B4-9BEC-0E47291344FE_zpsjk6fj5b3
Then you are going to think -hell , I'm making this problem worse , its not getting better !
That's when it's time to change pads and compound .
I used automotive scratch and swirl remover & a foam compound / swirl remover pad
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  22539CAB-EFDE-4F5B-B674-2BE50B3A56BE_zpsp1ugef71


Last edited by Punisher on Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:48 am; edited 1 time in total
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Punisher

Punisher


Posts : 534
Join date : 2013-01-08
Age : 56
Location : Ohio - Mud Country

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PostSubject: Re: Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches    Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  Icon_minitimeSat Aug 30, 2014 9:23 am

The Foam pad and swirl mark remover compound does wonders !
It will remove that sinking feeling of failure from your stomach Very Happy
This is where I spent a considerable amount of time - applied compound & went over it several times .
Buffer speed at 2500 rpm at first then as it got clearer down to 2000 rpm
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  BD5FAB34-BA4E-4E7C-B5AC-D8EACE0B9A83_zpsvy95mrhz
After I had knocked quite a bit down to where I could see just fine scratch & swirl marks remaining .
I then got out an automotive Polish pad and a bottle of Plastix Automotive Headlight lens polish .
I also put newspaper between the table and my windshield to prevent dust/debris on the surface from re-scratching the windshield.
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  178ABA01-7BC3-4576-9E53-2F7E3BDC8D46_zpsytijyzqs
I applied the polish and set buffer speed to 2000rpm max .
Took my time on both sides , quite a bit actually , but the result is amazing !
(Windshield lengthwise in 1st pic)
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  FDE9BF73-C69D-47DB-B0E0-742DB430C983_zpshpzjfsjq
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  EA0745D3-9E81-47C9-AD59-7451E96BF07C_zpsrnu5d7b7
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  ADFC7BBD-0793-4D78-947E-478AEC5A560F_zpst1bw32tf
Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  1AB778D1-1205-40BD-B09B-B5160B3B4520_zpsktlb1dh5
There is still some fine scratching remaining , its impossible to totally remove ,  just like the surface of a car windshield but the windshield is 95% clearer than before Wink
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Prairie Pounder

Prairie Pounder


Posts : 984
Join date : 2010-02-05
Location : Go Bucks!

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PostSubject: Re: Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches    Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  Icon_minitimeSat Aug 30, 2014 10:30 am

Excellent write-up! And results. Congrats! cheers
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Mr.Ed

Mr.Ed


Posts : 1427
Join date : 2010-02-12
Age : 79
Location : S/E Ohio

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PostSubject: Re: Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches    Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  Icon_minitimeSat Aug 30, 2014 5:41 pm

Good job there Mr. P.

Looks like it was a lot of work but it paid off.
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PostSubject: Re: Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches    Plastic Windshield- Scratches & Removal of scratches  Icon_minitime

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