aircraft window screen

[smurf]

Hi i have just polished a Piper aircraft over the last 2 days
it took 17hrs to polish everything
Question ::
I used the plastx on all the side windows very clear result
The main window screen is a very thick plastic and must always have optic clarity in whatever direction you look through it
What is safe to use on the main screen as the screen is worth $10.000 to replace it ,so you can see why i did not touch it
Has anyone polished a window screen on a aircraft ???
and what did you use ???

[DaGonz]

The aircraft mechanic at my local airport cleans the front winsdscreen with Plexus.

I don't see why you couldn't use the plastx cleaner/polish on the windscreen... after I go out for a flight lesson in the summertime, the windscreen usually has a few bug splats on it.. so much for clarity!

What's the last thing that goes through a bugs mind when he spalts all over your windscreen?

His butt!

[Paramedic]

I just checked with the pilot here at work and he also uses Plexus. I let him read a description of PlastX on meguiars.com and a few threads on here about PlastX and he said he thinks on some type of airplane windows the plastic might be too hard to abrade. We have 3 helios and a 2 fixed wings and the Plexus keeps the windows clean and no hazeing. There are 6 mechanics in a training session right now will Bell Helicopter so I will get a answer out of a mechanic as well and let you know..

[Mike Phillips]

I think at this point it would be important to find out if you're working Lexan or some other type of plastic.

Lexan tends to be very hard and sometimes it will have some type of coating on it depending on the application.

My personal experience with both types of Lexan is that it does not lend itself well to abrading of any type.

The Plexus product you're using is non-abrasive, (as far as I know), we also offer product like this and have for about 40 to 50 years.

For a pure plastic polish, completely non-abrasive of which the sole purpose is to maintain the plastic itself as well as create optical clarity, Meguiar's offers their M1008 Plastic Polish.

Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Polish



For light cleaning of the plastic and a product that also leaves the plastic clear Meguiar's offers,

Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Cleaner




PlastX uses a special diminishing abrasive to remove swirl, scratches, stains and oxidation from plastic surfaces and the feel of the product is like a smooth creamy hand lotion.

You have to always keep in mind that how aggressive a product is, or isn't, includes more factors than just the product itself. How you apply it, for example by hand or machine, the pressure you use, aggressive or gentle, and the material you apply it with will all determine and influence how the product works.

Let me check to see if there are any concerns about using PlastX on Airplane windows and then I'll get back to this thread.

[Superior Shine]

I used Plastx was used on this 1946 Beech Staggerwing.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Superior Shine
I used Plastx was used on this 1946 Beech Staggerwing.

But was the windshield Plexiglas, (very soft and easy to clean and polish), or Lexan, very hard and difficult to remove scratches out of?

[Superior Shine]

Easy with all the hard question, I just wash cars for a living!

I also did a cherokee windscreen with Plastix. It worked great on that.

Maybe someone else can answer you question Mike. I don't know exactly what material they were made of.

[Mike Phillips]

Probably the best thing to do would be to check with the Manufacture of the plane or the windshield and see what they recommend.

PlastX is non-abrasive and when applied correctly should not cause any issues.

If all you want to do is to apply a pure polish to restore or maintain optical clarity then stick with M1008 Plastic Polish.


Most older small planes used a lot of Plexiglas and Plexiglas is a very forgiving type of plastic to work on, Lexan on the other hand tends to be more difficult because as I mentioned previously it tends to be a harder material or coated with a coating, thus any companies product whether it's Plexus or Meguiar's needs to be applied correctly.

[smurf]

as far as i no it is Plexiglas
the pilot seemed Happy to try it but the engineer was not

[Mike Phillips]

If it's an older plane then it is very likely to be Plexiglas as Lexan didn't show up in widespread commercial use until either the late 80's or early 90's.

I would do a test spot and see how it looks.

Before you do this however, remember,

'Use the least aggressive product to get the job done"

PlastX is a cleaner, polish and protectant all-in-one, if you don't need the cleaning ability of PlastX to remove defects then just stick with M17 and M10.

M17 and M10 as well as PlastX should be staples in every Professional Detailer's arsenal.

[Setec Astronomy]

You know Mike, I was about to take you to task for referring to Lexan and Plexiglas as two different things (I thought they were the same), but I decided to look it up before posting...my apologies, they are similar but different, with Lexan being much more durable, as you noted. Thanks for the info!

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Setec Astronomy
You know Mike, I was about to take you to task for referring to Lexan and Plexiglas as two different things (I thought they were the same), but I decided to look it up before posting...my apologies, they are similar but different, with Lexan being much more durable, as you noted. Thanks for the info!

For what it's worth, I've polished out a lot of Plexiglas in my life, things like

• Sky lights on roofs (Yep, climbed up on the roof with buffer in tow and buffed scratches out a Plexiglas Sky light.
  Antique boat windshields
  The back windows on older Corvette removable hard tops
  The wing windows on real A.C. Cobras
  The wing windows on 50's era Thunderbirds
  Helicopter windows
  Watch faces
  Instrument Gauge faces
  Bust Stop shelters

And probably a lot of other things I can't remember, but I don't have a list of things made out of Lexan that I've been able to successfully remove the defects out of and restore optical clarity, by hand or machine.

[smurf]

Thank you everyone for all the info
I have spoken to the owner of the aero club
And yes it is Plexiglas
So now i just have to find some m17 and m10 so i can go and finish the job off