Canopy / Windscreen cleaner polish

[PixelWorker]

How does this stuff compare to Plexus?

[flightlogic]

Don't feel bad. Aircraft Spruce has a very finicky search function. I have missed items many times, and then found them with a slightly different search term. They are not up to Google standards.... but a good company nonetheless.

[flyingriki]

Originally Posted by PixelWorker

How does this stuff compare to Plexus?

This stuff was a great find for me. Polishes away much faster than Plexus, which I gave away...

Http://www.tapplastics.com/product/p...rillianize/112

[Tankerpilot75]

A friend of mine suggested I use "Behold" furniture polish spray to remove bugs and other junk from my RV after flying. He suggested it also to clean my canopy. I've now used this product for almost a year and really like the ease of use, job that it does and price ($1.67 a can). Anyone else use this product? My friend has used this product on his Bonanza for over ten years with no ill effects to the paint or plexiglass Windows.

[swordtail]

Local motorcycle shop sells a product called "Original Bike Spirits" spray cleaner and polish "roadside detailer". I use it on the entire plane, leading edge, canopy the works. Cost is about $6 a can for 24 oz. They don't want to harm the motorcycle fairing on a $40k bike either.

[Carl Froehlich]

Stuff like furniture polish on plexi is exactly what not to use. It will clean it up just fine - but damage it as well.

Get the Novus line of products. This stuff is cheap and you need not experiment on your glass with stuff that you could easily regret.

- For everyday cleaning, Novus#1: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ickkey=3042112
Get the half gallon, it will last for at least six years of cleaning.

- For fine scratches (or paint fog) Novus #2 followed by Novus #1: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/...vuspolish2.php

- For deep scratches get Novus #3 followed by #2 and then #1: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ickkey=3042112
Most people never need to use #3.

Make sure you frequently replace/clean your polishing cloth.

Carl

[9GT]

Hi Jim. I have used the Allclear on both my C-152 and RV-10 and like it a lot. My bottle ran out last summer and I purchased the Rain-X for acrylic at Walmart, and am just as happy with that. The plus side to that is any rain beads right off. Dave

[tim2542]

Originally Posted by Carl Froehlich

Stuff like furniture polish on plexi is exactly what not to use. It will clean it up just fine - but damage it as well.

Get the Novus line of products. This stuff is cheap and you need not experiment on your glass with stuff that you could easily regret.


Carl

Ditto on Carl's suggestion.
However Dan Mauer who has painted hundreds of planes and dozens of RV's and my Cozy, while cleaning up a few dust defects in the paint using 3M "Finesse it", ran his buffer with that product right up onto the plexiglass, he said he's been doing that for years on planes he's painted to make old plexi look new.
I'd guess "Finesse it" is a very similar product as Novus #2, they look, feel and perform the same in my experience. I know I can go direct from 1500 grit to perfection using either product when repairing a scratch.


Tim Andres

[MikeyDale]

I bought a 64 ounce jug of the Novus #1 polish and use a small 8 oz spray bottle stored in my baggage compartment to mist it on. I have used about 1/3 of the jug in 115 hrs on the Hobbs. I am very anal about cleaning my windscreen and canopy before every flight! The Novus #1 does a great job removing bugs and shines up great too! I also used a small amount of #3 and #2 to remove small scratches and swirl marks. Good products.

[rightrudder]

What are you guys using for day-to-day canopy cleaning? I'm not so concerned with scratch removal (I've got some Meguiar's stuff that works well for that, and I've heard the Plexus recommendations), but something mild for bug and smudge duties. Thanks!