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Windshield Pitting Repair

Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 1:16 am
by CBogle
I replaced the standard windshield in my '48 170 about 10 years ago. I have been extremely careful with the cleaning of the windshield and even keep it under a sheet in the hangar but it has started to develop what appears to be extremely small pitting primarily along the bottom 2 inches behind the upper cowling. The pitting is especially noticeable in the sunlight and not noticeable at all at other times. I recently purchased the Mirro Glaze products and in one application it does not seem to have made any improvement. I don't know if this apparent pitting is caused by abrasives being thrown back by the prop wash or if there is some other process involved. I'm considering multiple applications of the Mirro Glaze products but am not sure that it is abrasive enough to smooth out the pitting.

My question is, is there a product or process that someone can recommend to restore the clarity? Or, does anyone know of someone who specializes in the restoration process in the SE U.S.?

Regards,

Curt

Re: Windshield Pitting Repair

Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 3:48 am
by Brad Brady
Curt,
I'm not certain about pitting as you are talking about.....But I introvertly shot my wind screen with epoxy paint....not to bad, but enough that several friends would say "what the hell is on your windshield?" So finally I decided that I needed to do something....I took a Sears buffer....not to fast moving, and a new cotton pad.....used 3M super duty rubbing compound, Part number 05954 pulled all the specks off the windshield and to my surprise what crazing I had at that time......I followed up with 3M finesse-it part number 05928, with another new cotton pad...Then hand rubbed in Meguiar's # 17 plastic cleaner. The windshield looks like new.......Brad

Re: Windshield Pitting Repair

Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 2:50 pm
by GAHorn
One of the hazards of using RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) adhesives..... commonly known as "silicone" adhesive.... is that it uses ammonia to "cure" the rubber compound. This ammonia is what makes Windex dangerous to plexiglas/perspex/acrylic windshields. Was your windshield sealed with RTV? and perhaps is crazing your nearby, lower area of windshield?

(Caution: Do NOT use "silicone" sealants near plexiglas or in cockpits.)