Visor/plastic polish

**vifferman** · 23rd July 2007, 12:42

Originally Posted by dennisr

Be very careful with Glass Cleaners - in my opinion and from experience, I recommend you don't use them unless someone else already has and reports no damage. Glass cleaners work well on glass because they are highly abrasive. Most (especially car window cleaners) will scratch plastic.

Glass cleaners do NOT contain abrasive elements (or elephants) unless they are polishes. "Abrasive" by definition is something that abrades a surface because it contains particles that are harder than the surface. Mr Muscle, Windolene and most common glass cleaners are just solvent-based, not abrasive pastes.

But yes, I agree with the " recommend you don't use them unless someone else already has and reports no damage" bit.

**Big Dave** · 23rd July 2007, 12:51

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

Part No 1020BP.
AUTOSOL Plastic Cleaner 75ml Cleans and protects plastic surfaces. Non abrasive so does not produce scratches or scour the surface. Restores natural condition of plastic without leaving an oily film. Use on fibreglass too! Can also be used regularly to treat hairline scratches in plastics visors, fairings, painted surfaces, removes dead wax from roof racks & door handles.

Haven't tried it - actually I don't think I've seen it or I would have.
Will search it out.

After bathing in WD40 I would shave with Autosol chrome polish.

**Grub** · 23rd July 2007, 13:22

The thing I worry about is that in a previous KB thread, several products (like Pladge) were listed as destroying the shatter-proofing properties of visor material.

I can't remember the details now but it scared me off most "cleaners", not knowing which is safe and which isn't

**HungusMaximist** · 23rd July 2007, 13:55

I have a pair of glasses, which has lenses made out of plastic.

Can I use plexus and pledge on my glasses?

**vifferman** · 23rd July 2007, 14:19

Originally Posted by Grub

The thing I worry about is that in a previous KB thread, several products (like Pladge) were listed as destroying the shatter-proofing properties of visor material.

I have a suspicion that this may be somewhat akin to being an urban myth. I've just spent AGES trying to find something about this on the Interdweeb, without success. However, I did find this chart of the effects of various solvents on polycarbonate. What I suggest you do, is look at the Greedy Ants list on the cleaner's container (provided they're not TopSecret) and see if any of the "Not recommended" ones in the list are present.
http://www.k-mac-plastics.net/data%2...resistance.htm

**vifferman** · 23rd July 2007, 14:25

Originally Posted by HungusMaximist

I have a pair of glasses, which has lenses made out of plastic.

Can I use plexus and pledge on my glasses?

Well, definitely Plexus; I've used it on sunglasses, CDs, glasses, headlights, etc etc. It's (allegedly) used by the US military on fighter plane canopies made from polycarbonate, so it should be safe for glasses.
HOWEVER: some coatings used on ski goggles and other eyewear are more sensitive to the solvents used in aerosol cleaners/polishes that polycarbonate is itself, so be careful.
Interestingly, some anti-UV / anti-reflective coatings are themselves harmful to polycarbonate, while others make it more imprevious to chemical attack, as polycarbonate is somewhat naturally pervious (Pervy Us?) to liquids.
I also found out in my TravelsOfTheInterdweeb that it also blocks 98% of UV light, even if not tinted or mirrored!

**Freakshow** · 23rd July 2007, 14:51

I have found Rain x to eat the Coatings of the metalic lens but is fantastic on the clear lens. I do have one question about that Cat crap stuff and does it do anything? I thought I would give it a shot and have applied a few coats and before I even leave the driveway it is fogged. It is making a very cold commute!

**breakaway** · 23rd July 2007, 15:02

I thought it was bad to use Glass Cleaner on visors as it [ apparently ] removes the anti-shatter coating on the visor? Is this true?

**sinned** · 23rd July 2007, 15:07

I have found cat crap makes a good job of polishing the visor and minimises fogging. When my visor fogs I then remember cat crap - use it then forget I have some until the visor fogs again.
For the cost of $10.00 a pot it is good value and seems to do what is claimed. Is it better than other plastic polishes? I don't know.

**Freakshow** · 23rd July 2007, 15:09

Originally Posted by breakaway

I thought it was bad to use Glass Cleaner on visors as it [ apparently ] removes the anti-shatter coating on the visor? Is this true?

I would not believe that as I grabed a old scratched up visor and tryed to snap it. Hours later the thing still held its shape. You could turn it inside out and it still bounced back to original shape. Hammers, bricks nothing made a difference. I am quite happy about that though!

**vifferman** · 23rd July 2007, 15:19

Originally Posted by dennisr

For the cost of $10.00 a pot it is good value and seems to do what is claimed. Is it better than other plastic polishes? I don't know.

Is it a polish then, as well as a anti-misting agent? :spudwhat:
I can tell you that Plexus is not much chop as an anti-fogger, and the "ClearVue" anti-mister I am using is not much chop as a polish. But I don't mind using two different products for two slightly different jobs.

**Blackbird** · 23rd July 2007, 15:19

Originally Posted by breakaway

I thought it was bad to use Glass Cleaner on visors as it [ apparently ] removes the anti-shatter coating on the visor? Is this true?

To the best of my knowledge, there is no such thing as anti-shatter coating. I don't know whether things have changed but a few years back, cheap helmets had visors which were made out of cheaper materials. They scratched easily and were damaged over time by anything with solvent in it. (RainX for example but there are plenty more). More expensive helmets use Lexan, the same stuff as riot shields and other products which require shatter proof properties. This material carries its strength all the way through and is also highly resistant to solvents. Still better to avoid solvents though.

**HungusMaximist** · 23rd July 2007, 17:31

Paid a visit to foodtown while heading back home.

Found out Pledge comes in a few varieties, one is in the normal spray can. They also have two other flavours, one's orange and the other in some green colour and they have advanced cleaning slapped on the front. They cans are pretty much priced the same, so I can't really see what's so special.

There's also the new 500ml liquid based trigger bottle.

Suggestions on spray can - advanced? or trigger bottle?

**rustys** · 23rd July 2007, 17:44

PLEXUS, is the correct product or "Niki wax" to use on visors. Just bought a small (12gram) pump bottle from the bike shop, $12.98. Ideal to carry away, one pump is enough on your visor to clean. Wipe the bugs off first though.