Forums
NautiqueParts.comGet Your 2025 CCF Calendar Now
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Plexiglass windshield restoration
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Plexiglass windshield restoration
 Post Reply Post Reply   
Author
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
81nautique View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah
Avatar

Joined: September-03-2005
Location: Big Rock, Il
Status: Offline
Points: 5792 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 81nautique Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Plexiglass windshield restoration
    Posted: December-23-2024 at 3:55pm
Thought I would make a separate post regarding the windshield for the Collegian since this might be useful in general for any boat with an acrylic windshield.

The windshield that came with the Collegian was an absolute mess and I wasn’t really sure if it could be saved.  After watching a few YouTube videos I decided to try to restore it.    I was already resolved to having to find a replacement so there wasn’t anything to lose.

Tools used were a 6” random orbit sander. With 2000 and 3000 grit paper

An 8” grinder with a heavy wool pad

An auto detailing Rupes polisher with wool pad and three grades of finishing compound.  You could easily get away with a Harbor Freight polisher, the Rupes is overkill but I ‘ve had it for years and use it on all my vehicles and boats .



Initially I wet sanded by hand but I couldn’t get all the deep scratches out so I turned to the orbital with 2000 then 3000 dry sanding.

Next was a pass the heavy wool pad using Dr Beasley 150 compound.

Following that with a wool pad and the same compound on the polisher.

Then ran through the 3 finishing compounds on the polisher.

I also buffed the aluminum trim with some Tripoli on a harbor freight buffing wheel.

Came out pretty decent and was certainly worth the effort because finding these old windshields in good condition is tough to do.  There are still a few deep scratches that I just couldn’t get out but I’m satisfied with it.
You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
Back to Top
Faceplant View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: July-27-2013
Location: Otter Lake , Mi
Status: Offline
Points: 420 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Faceplant Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December-23-2024 at 6:08pm
Impressive !!
Feels like I am hanging 10 but in reality - probably hanging 6.
Back to Top
Morfoot View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah
Avatar

Joined: February-06-2004
Location: South Lanier
Status: Offline
Points: 5321 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Morfoot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December-24-2024 at 5:50am
"Came out pretty decent and was certainly worth the effort because finding these old windshields in good condition is tough to do.  There are still a few deep scratches that I just couldn’t get out but I’m satisfied with it as you can see my very attractive helper/wife in the reflection holding up the finished project for photographic evidence that it works!"

There.......I fixed it for you Magicman. ! Thumbs Up
"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"
Back to Top
fanofccfan View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar

Joined: December-13-2009
Location: North Bend NE
Status: Offline
Points: 1792 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fanofccfan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December-24-2024 at 8:34am
I continue to be impressed with the work you do!  That is quite the transformation.  
2004 196 LE Ski 1969 Marauder 19 1978 Ski
Back to Top
MourningWood View Drop Down
Gold Member
Gold Member


Joined: June-13-2014
Location: NorCal
Status: Offline
Points: 918 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MourningWood Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December-24-2024 at 10:28am
Remarkable!!

Now have hope for saving Dunphy plexi...

Question: are you replacing the rubber channel (plexi to frame) and if so, where did u find?

Again, great work!
1964 Dunphy X-55 "One 'N Dun"

'I measured twice, cut three times, and it's still too short!"
Back to Top
81nautique View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah
Avatar

Joined: September-03-2005
Location: Big Rock, Il
Status: Offline
Points: 5792 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 81nautique Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December-24-2024 at 10:54am
Originally posted by MourningWood MourningWood wrote:

Remarkable!!

Now have hope for saving Dunphy plexi...

Question: are you replacing the rubber channel (plexi to frame) and if so, where did u find?

Again, great work!

There is no rubber gasket on this one,  there are metal clips inside the metal frame that hold the plexi in place.  
You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
Back to Top
81nautique View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah
Avatar

Joined: September-03-2005
Location: Big Rock, Il
Status: Offline
Points: 5792 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 81nautique Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December-24-2024 at 10:59am
Originally posted by Morfoot Morfoot wrote:

"Came out pretty decent and was certainly worth the effort because finding these old windshields in good condition is tough to do.  There are still a few deep scratches that I just couldn’t get out but I’m satisfied with it as you can see my very attractive helper/wife in the reflection holding up the finished project for photographic evidence that it works!"

There.......I fixed it for you Magicman. ! Thumbs Up




Love it.  Thanks Timbob 
You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
Back to Top
GottaSki View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah


Joined: April-21-2005
Location: NE CT
Status: Offline
Points: 3365 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GottaSki Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Today at 8:17am
Magnificent indeed
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing."

River Rat to Mole
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

About CCF

Since 2003, CorrectCraftFan.com has been the foremost Correct Craft reference site, and simply provides the best used Correct Craft buying and selling experience anywhere.

Donate

This site is not affiliated with Correct Craft, Inc. Funding for the site comes from members like you. Click on the link below to make a donation.

Partners

Contact

Keith@CorrectCraftFan.com
Alison@CorrectCraftFan.com
www.CorrectCraftFan.com
Copyright 2024 | Bagley Productions, LLC