Getting water spots off of Lexan??

[455 Bravo Uniform]

I washed the plane using the hard airport water, but with a Rain X spot-free wash soap. The painted surfaces look great.

I didn’t want to touch the windshield with my wash-mitt for fear of scratching it and figured I’d use my normal cleaner back in the hangar. So I just hosed it off.

Once back in the hangar I noticed pretty bad water spots on the windshield. I thought I got them all out but noticed them when flying into the sun. It looks horrible. What are some ways that I can get the water spotting out without damage.

Dish soap? Vinegar?

 

[kyleb]

I've always used a diluted solution of vinegar, but any mild acid would work. Then you need to rinse and dry again.

 

[FORANE]

Novus works well on the canopies for cleaning and scratch removal. Perhaps it would resolve your water spots as well.

 

[Gary Ward]

If a window cleaner didn’t work, then I would use scratch off. I would use the finest cleaner. Stuff works great.)
I had the same thing happen, couldn't get it clear with the normal window cleaners. Scratch off did.

 

[WDD]

Nothing specific to add, but following to learn a few new tricks.

I wonder - sounds like minerals from the hard water have found their way into micro scratches. That is making the scratches much more visible/increasing the opacity. So I see the logic of the recommendation of removing as much of the minerals as possible with vinegar while not damaging the Lexan by using something stronger (CLR, etc.). And it sounds like you'll have to scrub out the remaining minerals with the polishing compound suggested by @GaryWard.

Post up how things turn out - always learning new "what to do" as well as the "what is going on".

 

[Craig]

DI water first for a quick rinse, then towel dry. If they are stiil there, wipe with a soft cloth moistened with a mix of 50% DI water and 50% IPA. IPA should be 90% or better, and not the 70% or lower stuff.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Cleaner Wax works well.

 

[WDD]

DI water first for a quick rinse, then towel dry. If they are stiil there, wipe with a soft cloth moistened with a mix of 50% DI water and 50% IPA. IPA should be 90% or better, and not the 70% or lower stuff.

Any specific India Pale Ale beer?

 

[Stewartb]

Airplane windows are acrylic, NOT Lexan. Nexus cleaner and finishing polish will fix it right up. Clean, polish, and clean.

Don’t use RainX unless it’s specifically labeled for plastics. Plexus is still the best airplane window cleaner/water repellent.

 

[40YearDream]

DI water first for a quick rinse, then towel dry. If they are stiil there, wipe with a soft cloth moistened with a mix of 50% DI water and 50% IPA. IPA should be 90% or better, and not the 70% or lower stuff.

I thought alcohol was a no-no on windshields ? (Or, is it only certain types of alcohol?)

 

[Gary Ward]

DI water first for a quick rinse, then towel dry. If they are stiil there, wipe with a soft cloth moistened with a mix of 50% DI water and 50% IPA. IPA should be 90% or better, and not the 70% or lower stuff.

Beer came to mind here also.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

Thanks guys. 50/50 RO water and white vinegar did the trick! Spritz and wait 10-15 seconds, wipe, repeat. Followed up with RO water and finished with Plane Perfect 1.