cleaning polycarbonate windows

[lumphammer]

When fitting the windows I used black spray on paint on the bits that were overlapping the glass fibre, with the clear bits masked off. When I pulled off the film that was protecting the window, small pieces of sprayed paint 'stuck' to the window, and have resisted most attempts to get them off.

The paint flakes seem to be stuck on electrostatically. Once I realised what was happening, wetting the film before removal seemed to help.

Is it possible to use colour restorer or some similar light abrasive to clean up the window but still leaving it clear, or will I end up with a frosted glass effect?

Is there any other way to polish the windows to clean them up?

 

[JackIron]

You can use a polishing compound. If they are really stubborn you just use a stanley scraper or equivalent - you can even sand polycarbonate with a fine grade wet and dry - it'll freak you out when you scratch it up - but the polishing compund (I use 3M Finishing compound) will restore it completely. I used to build boats and my hamfistedness led me to occaisionally gouge polycarb with a scratch - I'd just wet and dry it out then polish it up - always came up good as new. In future you could use some Sikaflex black glass primer - no need to mask off, just dip a rag in wrapped around your thumb and using your finger as a guide on the edge of the window just apply with the cloth, it leaves the neatest black edge you can imagine, dries almost instantly and is the perfect primer for the sealant.

 

[Dougal]

How would one know the difference between polycarbonate and acrilyc?

 

[aitchw]

Try bending an off cut. If it's polycarbonate it will bend double and still not break, Acrylic will snap but watch yourself, the break is very sharp. You can drill and saw poly with few problems. Acrylic tends to crack or shatter.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I used to test machine guards by hitting it hard with a hammer. If it does not brake its polycarbonate.

acrilyc is also stiffer than polycarbonate therefore polycarb will flex more for the same thickness.

Some times polycarb has a UV coating as polycarb is less resistant to UV than acrilyc so polishing will remove the coating and therefore the UV protection.

 

[lumphammer]

Thanks for the info, I am glad that I can be a "bit" more agressive cleaning these windows up now that I know I can get them clean again.

All the paint flecks I want to get rid of are on the inside, so it shouldn't affect the uv protection.