Parrot Girl

Hi Guys,

I got an Eflite Bonanza, but the canopy windows are all cloudy in places - It looks terrible! I tried soap and water and that helped a little, but does anyone know what really works on this delicate plastic?

I heard toothpaste might work - but I am not game to try it on a brand new model!

Anyone got any ideas?

LargeScale88

I have larger scale airplanes, and I use plain old windex on mine, but I'm not sure if it will work on yours, thats just what I use. Another method I found to work well for me is rubbing alchohol. Just get some on a paper towl, and scrub.

Those ideas work great for me, good luck on the windows!!

Parrot Girl

I thought alcohol would make plastic go cloudy... I have always stayed away from using it on my models.
I guess I'll give it a try

Rudolph Hart

That plastic is quite hard.Try a very fine cutting compound like brasso.Did you get that taylorcraft?

Parrot Girl

Oh no, the plastic is very thin and delicate. Much more so than other models I have.

Yes i got the Taylorcraft. It seems a little smaller than I was hoping for. Still nice though.
I haven't started it yet, still got too many other things in line. I am waiting for tower to have the rimfire 160 in stock for it too.

LargeScale88

Alchohol will effect the plastic depending on the plastic. Sounds like you have delicate windows, so I wouldn't use it then. I'd stick to windex, and if that doesn't work, I'm not sure what would work, ive never had delicate windows. Maybe some 409?

Are they cloudy because they are getting fogged up, or just old?

LargeScale88

If the windows are light and delicate, I wouldn't use the alchohol. My windows are thick and durable, and can stand up to it, so i'd stay away from the alchohol.

Maybe try some heavy duty 409? That sure gets stuff clean.

Why are they foggy in the first place?

Parrot Girl

The windows are brand new!!! To me it looks like they used something abrasive at the factory to clean off the sticky where they had masked it to paint it.
I am really quite disappointed. I have never had a model with such poor quality windows, and this is a "brand name" kit.
It's a real shame as I was going to get the cockpit kit for it too.

I have never seen this 409 stuff! I will have a look for it today at the hardware and auto store.

I was thinking maybe I could wax the windows or something as they look really clear when wet.

ChuckW

There are some products on the market to polish and clean plastic headlamp lenses on cars. I've used them for their intended purpose and they do a good job. They might work on the model windows. I'd be careful on the thin plastic until you know how it will react though.

Charlie P.

A company called Novus sells plastic cleaners and polish that I use on the plastipane panels on my sailboat and the canopies on my R/C. As long as your plastic isn't deeply sratched it should help. If it is deeply scratched a more aggressive product like Flitz will be needed first.

Parrot Girl

Great thanks! I found some novus and ordered some! It might be useful for all my other planes and scale helicopters!

Rudolph Hart

I meant the actual surface.

mikekosatka

My Feedback: (7)

try toothpaste and a tooth brush. Do a sample area... a Small area in a non-critical location first, i.e. at base of canopy. Windex is basically ammonia and H2O, so you can try mixing your own at higher levels of ammonia... I do this for my field bottle.
And lastly, sometime wiping on a coat of Future floor wax will lessen and/or remove cracks and hazing. Future will not yellow or otherwise effect the plastic, it just makes it clearer and stronger.
I've heard of people using Semi-Chrome, a metal polish available at motorcycle shops. I don't know how it does on plastic but it is amazing on chrome and aluminum. Use it VERY sparingly, a little goes an amazingly long way. I also really recomend trying the inexpensive stuff ( ammonia, Future, etc. first.
Paint or window tint is a final solution of last recourse.
Mike
Good Flying and Good Luck

Parrot Girl

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your advice.
I got the novus 1 and 2. It is AMAZING!!!! fixed it up perfectly, I have now given the whole fleet a window polish! works great!

Thanks so much!