coupe guy Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 Is there any way to polish out a glue smear on a windshield? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 Absolutely! I do it all the time. Only problem is with tube glue, especially older tube glue, which can penetrate and frost the plastic to a depth that can't be polished out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 (edited) Welcome to the board George! Is this glue on an old kit you are restoring or did you just get glue on your windshield? If you are using glue today that damages windshields, don't! There are better glues on the market specifically for this task that won't cause any damage! Microscale's Micro Kristal Klear is available in hobby shops and on-line Here's Evergreen Canopy Glue -- Hobby Lobby stocks this I also use this tape to put in glass. It's clear and very strong, it was made for the scrap booking hobby. I bought this at Michaels. Hobby Lobby probably has it too. I will use a combo of the tape and glue together. Sometimes I will use the tape across the top and glue the remaining three edges. If you are working with old glass that has glue on it, Snake has the right idea about polishing it out. It does take patience though and doesn't work 100% of the time either. Your other option would be to use the damaged glass as a template to cut new clear plastic. Evergreen sells clear plastic sheets and a lot of guys use clear plastic from packaging or soda bottles. Since the glass from a sheet won't have the right curve, the tape above will help you in getting it to conform. Otherwise some people will vacuum form new glass from clear sheet, again using the old damaged glass to form against. Edited December 13, 2019 by Tom Geiger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrObsessive Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 To echo what Tom and Snake have said..........if there's a bit too much glue, there's not much you can do to salvage it. Especially the old tube glues are notorious for really digging into clear plastic and ruining it forever. Tom mentioned vacuforming or using clear stencil sheet to make your glass. I've done both at times depending on the type of windshield (flat or wraparound) and while it requires a bit more work, you can always make duplicate copies in case the first one gets messed up due to paint, or it didn't come out quite the way you want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LL3 Model Worx Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 If it's just fog from superglue... baby oil will take the fog away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupe guy Posted December 14, 2019 Author Share Posted December 14, 2019 This is an old kit, trying to rebuild. Thanks for the tips on alternate glue solutions. I'll try polishing, then look to replace it if that doesn't work. Are there good sources for replacement kit windshields? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 10 minutes ago, coupe guy said: This is an old kit, trying to rebuild. Are there good sources for replacement kit windshields? Two sources... This board, put your need in the "Wanted" section. Someone may be able to send you one. eBay.. there are sellers who break down kits and sell the parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 On 12/13/2019 at 8:09 AM, coupe guy said: Is there any way to polish out a glue smear on a windshield? Even if the glue damage is fairly deep, with effort and time, it's often possible to save clear parts. Start with 400 (or so) grit sandpaper, on a block (so you don't cause distortion), wet. Sand the pitting or etching all the way out. Then go to progressively finer grits, wet, until you're up to 2000 or 3000. Careful polishing with plastic polish or a very fine rubbing compound will get you the rest of the way. Done correctly, you will have a part that looks new again, with no scratches or fogging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Ace-Garageguy said: Even if the glue damage is fairly deep, with effort and time, it's often possible to save clear parts. Start with 400 (or so) grit sandpaper, on a block (so you don't cause distortion), wet. Sand the pitting or etching all the way out. Then go to progressively finer grits, wet, until you're up to 2000 or 3000. Careful polishing with plastic polish or a very fine rubbing compound will get you the rest of the way. Done correctly, you will have a part that looks new again, with no scratches or fogging. What he said. It might be helpful if you'd tell us what car the windshield is for, and--even better--post a pic or two of the exact damage. We might be able to tell you whether or not it can be fixed, and/or suggest alternatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dublin boy Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 On 12/13/2019 at 4:48 PM, LL3 Model Worx said: If it's just fog from superglue... baby oil will take the fog away. Never heard of this trick, does anyone else use it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeBee Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 Olive oil or peanut oil works just as good to remove super glue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dublin boy Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 Cheers Geoff. I must give it a try on some old bits and pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mod3l Lover Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 And . . . what is it from? (kit) Someone just might have one for you! Maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 1 hour ago, dublin boy said: Never heard of this trick, does anyone else use it? No, I just use rubbing alcohol to take off superglue fog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LL3 Model Worx Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Snake45 said: No, I just use rubbing alcohol to take off superglue fog. Never tried that... I'll give that a shot instead of the baby oil next time. Oil definitely works though... I just don't like keeping oil near where potential painting may be required.... could become a disaster real quick. I remember when my dad put a premises ban on armor all and the likes at the body shop. If he caught you with that stuff even in the parking lot, you would be docked $100 without question lol!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SfanGoch Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 Armor All used on vinyl covered front bench seats can cause problems when navigating a curve at speeds over 35 mph. Don't ask how I know that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LL3 Model Worx Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 4 hours ago, SfanGoch said: Armor All used on vinyl covered front bench seats can cause problems when navigating a curve at speeds over 35 mph. Don't ask how I know that. That's why you just do the passenger and middle area... then get your lady in there and swing a hard right... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 33 minutes ago, LL3 Model Worx said: That's why you just do the passenger and middle area... then get your lady in there and swing a hard right... I never had to grease the seat to get some togetherness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LL3 Model Worx Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 3 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said: I never had to grease the seat to get some togetherness. Some of us are not so fortunate... I myself was very lucky... happily married now... I did say lucky right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SfanGoch Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 "Happy" is a matter of perception. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 13 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: Even if the glue damage is fairly deep, with effort and time, it's often possible to save clear parts. Start with 400 (or so) grit sandpaper, on a block (so you don't cause distortion), wet. Sand the pitting or etching all the way out. Then go to progressively finer grits, wet, until you're up to 2000 or 3000. Careful polishing with plastic polish or a very fine rubbing compound will get you the rest of the way. Done correctly, you will have a part that looks new again, with no scratches or fogging. In other words, mail your windshield to Bill! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 (edited) 13 hours ago, Tom Geiger said: In other words, mail your windshield to Bill! ? Be sure to include $200 and a self-addressed padded box too. Edited December 15, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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