Plexiglass windshield restoration
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51841
Printed Date: April-03-2025 at 3:18am
Topic: Plexiglass windshield restoration
Posted By: 81nautique
Subject: Plexiglass windshield restoration
Date 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 |
Replies:
Posted By: Faceplant
Date Posted: December-23-2024 at 6:08pm
|
Impressive !! ------------- Feels like I am hanging 10 but in reality - probably hanging 6. |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date 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. !  ------------- "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" |
Posted By: fanofccfan
Date 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 |
Posted By: MourningWood
Date 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!" |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: December-24-2024 at 10:54am
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 |
MourningWood wrote:Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: December-24-2024 at 10:59am
Love it. Thanks Timbob ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |
Posted By: GottaSki
Date Posted: December-26-2024 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 |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: December-27-2024 at 9:23am
|
Did you sand the inside? Now don’t crack it! |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: December-27-2024 at 10:25am
Yes both sides were a mess. The inside is a little more difficult to do. I was worried about too much pressure and cracking it but it went well. ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |
Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: February-19-2025 at 10:00pm
|
Looks really really good. But, all you do seems to turn out that way. A long long time ago I did the '66 Mustang w/s with 3M Glazing Compound (pink) no sanding, just two buffings, looked new. Anyway, do you have the little rubber grommets ? I just found some. ------------- Keep it....from sinkin' |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: February-20-2025 at 8:10pm
You don’t happen to have any of the hold down brackets do you? ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |
Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: February-20-2025 at 8:25pm
|
Sorry Alan, Don't have the little chrome or stainless eye-bolt thingies. Not real sure, but maybe one of the big box stores may accidently have a similar type of hardware. ------------- Keep it....from sinkin' |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: February-20-2025 at 9:32pm
Thanks, time to get creative. Alan ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |