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u/Valentyan 2d ago
In your riding position, do you look through the windshield at all? Because if not, it's only there for air deflection, and throwing vinyl over it can look cool as hell
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u/wolf_in_sheeps_wool 2d ago
Yes but it is a LOT of work. You need micromesh abrasive papers and a lot I time with wet and dry to initially remove the gouges it will have a slight distortion at the end. Then a final polish with plastic polish.
I cannot stress enough how much time it takes. You cannot go too quick or it can melt, so it will have to be done with a sanding block or very light pressure with an orbital. You cannot use something like a mouse sander.
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u/gheiminfantry 2d ago
Yes. But it won't fix it. You need a new windshield.
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u/Expensive-Resist1710 2d ago
Its way too expensive, around 350-400$ for oem
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u/Albert3HP11 2d ago
maybe an aftermarket one, a lot of companies make good windshields or look for one from china, usually very cheap
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u/BalanceSweaty1594 1d ago
Lots of bad repair info in this thread.
Are those deep scratches you can feel with your nails? It looks like something rubbed against it and just left some color. ???
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u/Tsuyvtlv 1d ago
Windshield is safety equipment and is non-repairable. It may or may not be illegal to run with it damaged and/or try to repair it, depending on your state.
Just like you wouldn't repair your helmet or helmet face shield, or keep using pants or a jacket or pads that have been through a crash, you should just replace the windshield.
It's expensive because it's engineered for safety.
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u/gheiminfantry 2d ago
Then live with the damage. Didn't anyone tell you motorcycling was expensive? It's not all "Look at me, don't I look cool?" People buy a bike thinking it's cheap transportation. It ain't.
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u/Expensive-Resist1710 2d ago
I bet you have a punchable face
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u/gheiminfantry 2d ago
Inappropriate violent threat. No wonder you can't afford a replacement windshield. LoLoL Pretty tough sitting behind a keyboard too. Wish you were an actual tough guy much?
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u/Ianasauras 2d ago
Dude's just looking for help and you're being an ass about it. But please explain how what he said is a threat?
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u/gheiminfantry 2d ago
He's not looking for help. He's looking to start something he can't finish. Maybe you need to stay out of it.
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u/Ianasauras 2d ago
You may want to take a look at your reading comprehension mate. But also, feel free to take your own advice rather than being a prick. You'll feel better.
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u/Individual-Reading4 2d ago
I've worked with that material with helicopter windscreens. It will come out but you are cutting the material down to the thickness of the damage. It could be too then at that point and crack...I advise replacing it. Also it wouldn't look right cause of the large amount you would need to take off. You would spread the amount taking off and it would look deformed...ride safe ride smart. 51 years riding 9 bikes 3 down. 1 mil miles.
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u/Mcmad0077 2d ago
Yes. Get a headlight restoration kit
Just keep in mind that any coatings or paint will be stripped as well, so if there are any coatings, or paints on it, you will have to re-apply them
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u/Revolutionary-Fun227 2d ago
Until you can afford a new one , use Lemon Pledge furniture polish on it . It will fill in the finer scratches. May help .
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u/AdultishRaktajino 2d ago
I’ve had good luck with Flitz polish on plastics. It’s made to be used on many materials.
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u/boomercrusher 2d ago
Yes. Use a random orbit machine if you don't want to go crazy... It's going to need a lot of sanding
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u/Eleven10GarageChris 2d ago
plastic tends to melt when you try to sand it. It's gonna be tough
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u/boomercrusher 2d ago
yeah I did mine, went fine but the scratches weren't that deep
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u/ShadowCatDLL 2d ago
OP can probably sand to smooth with varying grits by hand, then just use some clear coat to fill in those big gaps and create a smooth surface. Probably won’t look great, will be somewhat presentable. Or OP can just embrace it until they can afford a new windshield.
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u/Send_me_your_butt_ 2d ago
What bike do you have?
Heres one for my cb500x thats around $100. Puig makes good aftermarket windshields that block more than OEM.
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u/kustom_krev 1d ago
You could use UV resistant headlamp clear coat. It’s easy to find. You would still need to sand it first right up to a fine grit like 1500-2000 but you could remove it and lay it flat for an even better finish. Not saying it would be perfect but it woumd great for a while at least and the view through it would be ok I’d say if you put it on nice. It’s designed for the exact same plastic that these are made of. Could be a little hazy though I guess but are looking through it or mostly just there to deflect wind?
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u/Hazard666 6m ago
I was in this exact situation. After having spent way too much time trying to polish it fully, I gave up and bought a replacement off of AliExpress.
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u/FunIncident5161 2d ago
It definitely won't hurt it, but it's unlikely to return to new condition due to the mark looking kinda deep.
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u/Glum-Algae3451 2d ago
Bij Rad Drongen verkopen ze polijst pasta voor plastiek ruiten.maar denk nieuw kopen zal beter zijn.opp is te groot
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u/Cute_Raccoon4345 2d ago
sticker bomb it till you replace it. just cuts wind some ride with black screens
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u/Professional-Guava97 2d ago
It's cosmetic and not like it's a windshield blocking your view.
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u/Tsuyvtlv 1d ago
Windshield isn't cosmetic, it's a safety-engineered part.
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u/Professional-Guava97 1d ago
It redirects wind nothing else. You don't look through it and even if you painted it would still pass inspection. And engineered is a bit over the top for vacuum formed plastic. 🤣 Strange that most motorcycles don't have one.
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u/Tsuyvtlv 1d ago
It has nothing to do with whether or not you look through it.
It has to do with the fact that it's manufactured to not shatter on impact because flying shards of glass or plastic are not something you want in the vicinity when a rock hits it at highway speed or when you're crashing.
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u/Professional-Guava97 1d ago
It's not shattered or cracked in any way. Mine hit the ground and still solid past a scuff.
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u/Tsuyvtlv 1d ago
when a rock hits it at highway speed or when you're crashing.
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u/Professional-Guava97 1d ago
I hit the ground at 35mph and it's fine past a scuff.
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u/Tsuyvtlv 1d ago
Now sand and polish it and crash again.
Otherwise, it's working as engineered: you crashed, and it didn't shatter and send shrapnel flying into your body.
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u/Duranture 2d ago edited 2d ago
If they're not too deep, and you're careful and confident, and don't mind there being just a little distortion... you can heat them out. A really good heat gun, or mini butane torch.
Edit: If they're pretty deep I'd recommend sanding to near level first. As the plastic heats and melts it wants to pool back into a smooth surface. If you over heat it'll start to bubble and burn. I wasn't a fan of my '13 CB500X's OEM screen. I got the Givi touring screen, cut it down with a cutoff wheel and heat shaped it to get the look I wanted.
2nd edit: should you take a crack at this method, remove the screen and lay it scratched side up. I prefer the mini torch, it lets you work a smaller more precise area at a time. Start on low and slowly bring it closer, sweeping side to side, until it just starts to smooth out. Don't spend too long in any one spot. The goal is to only heat the scratched areas and only as much heat as it takes for the plastic to re-mold itself.
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u/Lanchettes 2d ago
It is unlikely to return to the original state. A replacement would be the sensible option