Bill Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 The latest magazine from the Popular Flying Association has a tip which may be applicable to caravans too. One of the members uses (aerosol) Pledge furniture polish to clean his aircraft windscreens, and reports that not only does it do a good job of cleaning off the bugs and grit - he's a crop-sprayer - but also that repeated use eliminates scratches. It also has "the property of repelling rain and spray droplets to leave a clear vision screen". I'm not sure if caravan windows are made of the same stuff as aircraft windscreens, but they look pretty similar. As always, the advice must be to experiment with an obscure corner first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Hi Bill, I know that cleaning plastics with any sort of furniture polish, spray polish included, will after 12 months, if used on a regular weekly basis, cause crazing to plastic, be it windows or bathroom plastics. I always use warm water with a hint of washing up liquid, one drop of the liquid to a bucket of water in accordance with the manufacturers recomendation, float off all the dust/dirt without too much pressure on the soft cloth, and rinse off, finally polish and drying with a soft duster. Scratches can be removed with very light rubbing using a soft duster kept moist with brasso, silvo, rinsing off and polishing as above. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colleen Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Hi Bill I would be afraid of the long term damage that furniture polish would do to your windows. I use Autoglym's Fast glass cleaner as it is recommended for perspex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan3956 Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 The main thing is to wash the road grime and grit of the windows before you touch them i use the old method of damp newspaper to clean them its something to do with the ink brings the plastic and the windscreen up a treat, Plus its green and recycles the old paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 As has been previously said, cleaning the acrylic plastic windows of motorhomes/caravans requires special care. I believe aircraft windscreens are made of Lexan, a far tougher plastic to that employed for 'our' windows. Certainly using Pledge, or anything similar, would be unwise for cleaning motorhome windows and, as Terry advises, extremely likely to result in eventual damage caused by the silicone substances used in the polish. There have been a couple of MMM articles on this. (As Colleen says) for general cleaning AutoGlym's "Fast Glass" was suggested and, for scratch removal, either Farecla's "Caravan Pride" or Fenwick's "Windowise". Me, I just give the vehicle a good shampoo & hosing-down and let the thing dry off naturally. If the windows have got water-marks on them afterwards, then so be it. And, if they get scratched, then also so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Derek Are you sure YOU are the one who cleans the van? Sounds more as if you like doing a "couch potato" impression! (lol) (lol) (lol) (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starcott Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I have a problem with (a) non-setting sealant, and (b) adhesive tape, on some of my windows.. I need something to dissolve these substances in order to remove them. Can anyone suggest a suitable substance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Hi Starcott, The only chemical I have found which will not cause problems by melting plastics is Isopropanol BP sold at chemists. Even so use it sparingly, and thoroughly wash off deposits afterwards with warm soapy water and rinse with clean cold water. I have used Isopropanol BP on many types of plastics, while working as a service engineer with no problems. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starcott Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Hi Terry Thank you for suggesting Isopropanol. I had been recommended to use 'spirit wipe' as found in the spray paint trade, but am reluctant to go ahead without being certain it would not cause lasting damage. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Hi John, I think you are wise to be very careful, some applications do take a while to reveal any damage, others will desolve the plastic almost immediately! I am not sure about spirit wipe, isn't that the wipe that cleans off dust before spraying again ? I think that too much would desolve cellulose and would damage plastic too, but am not sure, I expect someone else will know and make a useful comment. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Isopropanol very good of course, but for a general cleaner everywhere on the 'van including the windows, try Lidls W5 Bathroom Mousse. Spray on and leave the foam on for 5-10 minutes, then wash it of with water, perhaps with the help of a sponge, and all the dirt comes off of everything. Just like it sez on the can. Only 99p per can, cleans just about everything on the 'van and damages nothing, designed for use on plastic and perspex baths so our windows are made of similar sfuff so O.K. Gets those black streaks off the side of the 'van a treat, with no hard work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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