Generic windscreen cleaner

[Wildhorsetrail]

You long time mooneyspace guys probably roll your eyes every time one of us newbies posts up a new topic. It's likely been discussed somewhere already ad nauseum. But a cursory search brought up nothing useful. What generic products have you had good success with in regards to cleaning windscreens? 25 years ago my instructor recommended Pledge, but it isn't all that great at removing bugs.

 

Sent from my SM-A326U1 using Tapatalk

 

 

[MikeOH]

I'm a fan of the pink Aero Cosmetics (wash wax all) windscreen cleaner: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/aeroplexall.php?clickkey=430284

[kortopates]

yeah, lots of threads but you haven't learned the tricks to searching

From Google.com search:

site:mooneyspace.com window cleaner

after the ads on top, you'll see thread after thread on this from Mooneyspace. Check out the one a year ago last April on everyone's different cleaner.

[Ragsf15e]

https://www.amazon.com/Novus-Plastic-Polish-64-Oz/dp/B000RT30LK/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?adgrpid=55829626317&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6pOTBhCTARIsAHF23fL2OtftaAKNaEcLyy9wR71G63KrZ9TZ3V4ra6B7eJx7HbSjjPef7PsaAkawEALw_wcB&hvadid=580738030257&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9033834&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7596186286144533972&hvtargid=kwd-351138792607&hydadcr=26811_11680248&keywords=novus+1&qid=1650851014&sr=8-4
 

need your own spray bottle and microfiber clothes, but this is effective and relatively inexpensive.  Always clean with the minimum required pressure and vertical strokes, no circular “wax on, wax off.”

[201er]

It always baffles me how much guys will spend on planes, avionics, new windows… and then get stingy on the cleaner.

[carusoam]

Wildhorse…

The eye rolling isn’t for the new guys as much…. 

Its extra challenging being new….

There are stages to a goofy post…

1) Honest question and answer session…

2) Enough detail gained, so further search can occur…

3) Somebody drops a key word that doesn’t get used often… like Plexus or aero cosmetics…

4) Search on those key words….  using Mr. Kortopates strategy, really improves things…

5) Read a lot… that’s where the various towels, and procedures really come to light….

6) Then research a really cool topic…. And ask a hard question… but start earlier in the week…. Like Monday.   

7) I use Prist brand window cleaner, not the fuel additive…. It drys incredibly clear, nothing left behind after it evaporates…

8) Use lots of liquid to not scratch the windows… scratches stay forever… sort of.

9) After the OP gets answered… the funny stuff tends to begin…

10) Why do real birds not use any chemical cleaners, or fancy towels….? Or do they? 

PP thoughts only, no pet birds in my history…

Best regards,

-a-

[Wildhorsetrail]

yeah, lots of threads but you haven't learned the tricks to searching
From Google.com search:
site:mooneyspace.com window cleaner
after the ads on top, you'll see thread after thread on this from Mooneyspace. Check out the one a year ago last April on everyone's different cleaner.

Thanks for the tip about Google. I found the thread you described

Sent from my SM-A326U1 using Tapatalk

[Yetti]

Megiurs plastx is my new favorite.   Works on faded headlights too

and while you are in the store get a tub of Goop hand cleaner for the belly and a couple of rolls of blue towels

Edited April 25, 2022 by Yetti

[WaynePierce]

I don't remember what I use now, but originally I used my motorcycle helmet shield cleaner... because I already had it. It worked very well.

 

I noticed up above that someone posted a link to Amazon. If you are an Amazon Prime user, research "Amazon Smile" you have the opportunity to give a portion of all of your purchase prices to the Mooney Summit...

Edited April 25, 2022 by WaynePierce
added content

[mooneyflyer]

Lemon Fresh Pledge... Nothing better

[A64Pilot]

There is cleaning and there is polishing, those are different things.

Best cleaner is your bare hand with some gentle soap and running water. Your hand is less likely to scratch than any rag as a rag will trap bug exoskeletons etc and grind it into the plastic, you will feel it on your hand and rinse it off, the gentle soap is more of a lubricant than anything but as it does break the surface tension of water it does help clean, and running water flushes off the abrasive particles before they can do damage.

Once clean, then you can polish, polish can of course help remove very fine scratches and hopefully leave a wax like coating to protect and an anti-static to keep from attracting dirt. I like Novus as it’s very gentle and seems to be a good anti-static, but I’m sure there are several good ones, I travel with a can of Plexus and a microfiber towel but I won’t use it if running water is available, all it takes is an empty milk jug or similar. Cotton diapers used to be best, but I guess microfiber is better?

Pledge really does help on older windscreens, it helps fill the scratches and make them less visible, been used since before I was a little boy.

Edited April 25, 2022 by A64Pilot

[PT20J]

When I flew seaplanes in Ketchikan (where it rains most days in the summer) we used Pledge because it repelled water. But our windshields got washed by rain a lot. I wouldn’t use it on a dirty windshield without washing it with water first.

Novus #1 and Brilliantize #1 contain enough water that I’ve found them to work well without scratching if applied liberally. Brilliantize is supposed to leave an anti-static coating that may prevent attracting dust.

Great Lakes Aero Products is the OEM. Here is it’s recommendation:

Skip

 

 

[jaylw314]

For post-flight cleaning, I keep a 2L spray pump and fill it with water and a few drops of car wash soap.  I mist the windshield and let it sit for a couple minutes while I work on the wings.  When I come back, I spray again until water is running off, then wipe down and dry with a microfiber cloth.

I figure waiting a couple minutes will soften any bug stuff, and aggressive rinsing will remove most of the loose debris.  The spray pump is handy so that you're not constantly squeezing a hand sprayer.

[T. Peterson]

On 4/25/2022 at 11:21 AM, jaylw314 said:

For post-flight cleaning, I keep a 2L spray pump and fill it with water and a few drops of car wash soap.  I mist the windshield and let it sit for a couple minutes while I work on the wings.  When I come back, I spray again until water is running off, then wipe down and dry with a microfiber cloth.

I figure waiting a couple minutes will soften any bug stuff, and aggressive rinsing will remove most of the loose debris.  The spray pump is handy so that you're not constantly squeezing a hand sprayer.

I like this idea. Thanks for the tip!

Torrey

[Smiles201]

The best way to clean bugs and debris is to soak the windscreen with lots of water and rub with your hand, that way no scratches from the cloth. They apply any type of auto wax or other protective product. Buff, and apply another coat. Next time will be easier to clean as you have layer of wax, which also protects the plastic windscreen from scratches 

Edited May 10, 2022 by Smiles201