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Author Topic:   Windshield Scratches

minimontauk posted 01-02-2003 08:33 PM ET (US)
My 15' Sport CC has a small wraparound windscreen, made of a smoky plexiglass of some sort. It has a few deep scratches, and an overall haze of fine ones. I have some paint polishing sanding pads running from 2400 to 12000 grit, also some Novus three grade plastic polishing compound. I started wetsanding with a 6000 grit pad, which seems to be working out the fine scratches, but it hasn't touched the deep ones. How coarse do I dare go with the sanding? Is it safe to use an electric buffer on this type of plastic? Advice appreciated.
Montauk posted 01-02-2003 10:14 PM ET (US)
I buffed out mine using 3m Finese and an airpowered buffer. The big scratches are still there but much less noticeable, If the scratches are that deep you would be better off looking for a new windsheild.
Bigshot posted 01-03-2003 10:09 AM ET (US)
Ditto!
minimontauk posted 01-03-2003 08:50 PM ET (US)
If I decide to go that route, are replacement windshields available?
megawhaler posted 01-06-2003 12:04 AM ET (US)
Dont know anything about the buffing of a windscreen, but a local glass shop should be able to fabricate one for you for $80 or less..not sure what it costs directly from Whaler, but I'm sure its more. Just bring them yours and pick the color of your choice for tint. They may not opt to drill the holes for you, but dont be scared...I was, But just use a sharp bit and go for it!!!
newt posted 01-06-2003 08:24 AM ET (US)
Don't be afraid to go after your windshield the same way you would gel coat. 600 grit sanding, heavy duty rubbing compound, followed by finesse.
Power buffing is OK.
Tom W Clark posted 01-06-2003 11:57 AM ET (US)
Alex,
I buffed out the plexiglass windscreen on my Outrage (same as what you have) with a Micro-Mesh KR-70 kit of abrasives from Micro-Surface Finishing Products. It was originally designed for aircraft windshields. It worked but was a huge amount of work. http://www.micro-surface.com/default.cfm?page_id=90&ID=3KKR70&storeid=1
I think you will be better off buying a new windscreen from Egan Acrylics for $185 delivered and be done with it. See: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000061.html
minimontauk posted 01-06-2003 01:26 PM ET (US)
Tom:
Define "huge" amount of time. Are we talking 20 hours of wrist aching hand polish here? I think I would have to take off a lot of plastic (a few mikes in some places) to get out some really deep scratches. The polishing pads I have go up to 12000 grit, but they are really small, made for modelmaking. Time to buy a power buffer.I guess Ill give it a try with what I have, see if it turns out ok. I suppose im only doing it because it's too cold to work on anything else. My wife already thinks I'm insane. Wish me luck.
Florida15 posted 01-08-2003 01:22 PM ET (US)
I don't know if one of them would fit or not but Cabela's has several plexiglas windshields in their Spring 2003 catalog for less than $100 .

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Author	Topic: Windshield Scratches
minimontauk	posted 01-02-2003 08:33 PM ET (US) My 15' Sport CC has a small wraparound windscreen, made of a smoky plexiglass of some sort. It has a few deep scratches, and an overall haze of fine ones. I have some paint polishing sanding pads running from 2400 to 12000 grit, also some Novus three grade plastic polishing compound. I started wetsanding with a 6000 grit pad, which seems to be working out the fine scratches, but it hasn't touched the deep ones. How coarse do I dare go with the sanding? Is it safe to use an electric buffer on this type of plastic? Advice appreciated.
Montauk	posted 01-02-2003 10:14 PM ET (US) I buffed out mine using 3m Finese and an airpowered buffer. The big scratches are still there but much less noticeable, If the scratches are that deep you would be better off looking for a new windsheild.
Bigshot	posted 01-03-2003 10:09 AM ET (US) Ditto!
minimontauk	posted 01-03-2003 08:50 PM ET (US) If I decide to go that route, are replacement windshields available?
megawhaler	posted 01-06-2003 12:04 AM ET (US) Dont know anything about the buffing of a windscreen, but a local glass shop should be able to fabricate one for you for $80 or less..not sure what it costs directly from Whaler, but I'm sure its more. Just bring them yours and pick the color of your choice for tint. They may not opt to drill the holes for you, but dont be scared...I was, But just use a sharp bit and go for it!!!
newt	posted 01-06-2003 08:24 AM ET (US) Don't be afraid to go after your windshield the same way you would gel coat. 600 grit sanding, heavy duty rubbing compound, followed by finesse. Power buffing is OK.
Tom W Clark	posted 01-06-2003 11:57 AM ET (US) Alex, I buffed out the plexiglass windscreen on my Outrage (same as what you have) with a Micro-Mesh KR-70 kit of abrasives from Micro-Surface Finishing Products. It was originally designed for aircraft windshields. It worked but was a huge amount of work. http://www.micro-surface.com/default.cfm?page_id=90&ID=3KKR70&storeid=1 I think you will be better off buying a new windscreen from Egan Acrylics for $185 delivered and be done with it. See: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000061.html
minimontauk	posted 01-06-2003 01:26 PM ET (US) Tom: Define "huge" amount of time. Are we talking 20 hours of wrist aching hand polish here? I think I would have to take off a lot of plastic (a few mikes in some places) to get out some really deep scratches. The polishing pads I have go up to 12000 grit, but they are really small, made for modelmaking. Time to buy a power buffer.I guess Ill give it a try with what I have, see if it turns out ok. I suppose im only doing it because it's too cold to work on anything else. My wife already thinks I'm insane. Wish me luck.
Florida15	posted 01-08-2003 01:22 PM ET (US) I don't know if one of them would fit or not but Cabela's has several plexiglas windshields in their Spring 2003 catalog for less than $100 .