Clay bar on windshield

[NewMoon]

Just brought the Ovation home after closing.  Windshield has some spatter marks that I figured would come of normally.  Well no, seems like they have somehow gotten in the plastic.

I talked to my shop, they suggested I use a clay bar used for auto paint. 

Anyone used a clay bar or have any other thoughts? 

[MikeOH]

Never have, but I'd try it on the passenger side corner first.

[LANCECASPER]

30 minutes ago, NewMoon said:

Just brought the Ovation home after closing.  Windshield has some spatter marks that I figured would come of normally.  Well no, seems like they have somehow gotten in the plastic.

I talked to my shop, they suggested I use a clay bar used for auto paint. 

Anyone used a clay bar or have any other thoughts? 

Clay bar might work, but I'd be more inclined to try Novus products.  https://novuspolish.com/

[Ragsf15e]

54 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

Clay bar might work, but I'd be more inclined to try Novus products.  https://novuspolish.com/

I have used the Novus level 1-3. Don’t expect miracles, expect to use some elbow grease, but that’s what I would do as well. At least it’s made for plastics…

[PT20J]

I might call Great Lakes Aero — they make the windshields — for advice. 

[NewMoon]

6 hours ago, Ragsf15e said:

I have used the Novus level 1-3. Don’t expect miracles, expect to use some elbow grease, but that’s what I would do as well. At least it’s made for plastics…

Yeh, I have used Novus before. Not on this extreme a case but as a cleaner polisher. 

[NewMoon]

5 hours ago, PT20J said:

I might call Great Lakes Aero — they make the windshields — for advice. 

Great idea, will ring them and report back

[jcolgan]

I’ve taken out a significant scratch with Aeroglaze and a lot of elbow grease.  It was deep enough there is a little light distortion in that spot, but you only notice it if you know where to look. 

[natdm]

I'm willing for you to try it on your airplane.

If you do, though, take before/after pics for the rest of us to learn from.

[IvanP]

Claybar works well to remove paint over spray from windshield and side windows. I have done this on a Bravo that I bought last year that was painted by the prior owner and and the shop did not mask the windows well. Followed up by the 4-step Scratch-Off kit from Spruce and the windows look almost like new. The windshield had some rather deep gouges on the inside (result of careless avionics work in the past) that could not be completely polished out due to poor access, but overall I am very satisfied with the outcome.

Using Claybar as the first step helped a lot to remove the paint splatter and cut down on time with the 4-step process. Step 1 would remove the overspray, but the claybar was much faster. Nevertheless, lot of elbow grease was involved. I used Proxxon angle polisher (from Amazon) that is small enough to get into the tight space under the windshield.  

Good luck!

[M20F]

Paint splatter  isn’t going to get into the plastic.  You can pick paint splatter off with your finger nails.  Post a picture of what you have going on, would help to provide advice. 

[NewMoon]

On 7/18/2024 at 3:03 PM, IvanP said:

Claybar works well to remove paint over spray from windshield and side windows. I have done this on a Bravo that I bought last year that was painted by the prior owner and and the shop did not mask the windows well. Followed up by the 4-step Scratch-Off kit from Spruce and the windows look almost like new. The windshield had some rather deep gouges on the inside (result of careless avionics work in the past) that could not be completely polished out due to poor access, but overall I am very satisfied with the outcome.

Using Claybar as the first step helped a lot to remove the paint splatter and cut down on time with the 4-step process. Step 1 would remove the overspray, but the claybar was much faster. Nevertheless, lot of elbow grease was involved. I used Proxxon angle polisher (from Amazon) that is small enough to get into the tight space under the windshield.  

Good luck!

Great info, thx for the tips!

[NewMoon]

23 hours ago, M20F said:

Paint splatter  isn’t going to get into the plastic.  You can pick paint splatter off with your finger nails.  Post a picture of what you have going on, would help to provide advice. 

agreed,  going out there tomorrow and will do.