Glass Mistake

[kasteer]

Hi all. New here and have been building cars since very young. But apparently not on the level you all are. I'm blown away by some of the stuff I've seen on this site tonight.

I've just finished up a Revell 41 Willys and got Matte overspray on the windshield. I made the car a flat black and cleared with matte clear.... So instead of having specks all over the windshield, in my haste I just gave it an even coat (I know, stupid move). Now it looks frosted... Any ideas how to make it look better? Black it out?

Thanks,

E

[Ayatollah]

If it went on wet, it's etched and you need a new one. If it's not etched you would probably be able to carefully rub it off with compounds.

The question... is it etched?

[62rebel]

you'd shudder at how many models i trashed as a kid from ruining the glass; before i learned that even tube glue spots aren't necessarily a disaster.

the trick is to not panic. let the offending material dry thoroughly, so as not to smear it, and then see if it can be sanded away in progressively finer grades of paper and then polished. even bad, deep etching sometimes responds to this technique.

if all else fails, try to fabricate replacement glass from acetate or clear styrene sheet. many experienced builder here do that exclusively, instead of using kit glass.

as i said before, just don't panic if something goes wrong. consider every obstacle as a learning experience!

[935k3]

You could try polishing the overspray off. A good plastic polish like Novus #2 should do it. If it's Testor's Dullcote Alcohol will remove but keep it away from your body paint.

Edited January 4, 2008 by 935k3

[jbwelda]

to borrow from another thread: go down to the grocery store and buy some future floor polish. then take the windshield and dip it into a little tub of it, lift it out by a corner and let the excess drain off one corner onto a paper towel, and then either lay it on something in a manner it doesnt smear it or hold it until it dries (probably 5 mins or so)

you might be surprised at how the windshield looks.

if you cant dip the glass because its glued to the body, just apply the future with a wide-ish brush and let it self level.

hope that helps.

[Raul_Perez]

Hi all. New here and have been building cars since very young. But apparently not on the level you all are. I'm blown away by some of the stuff I've seen on this site tonight.

I've just finished up a Revell 41 Willys and got Matte overspray on the windshield. I made the car a flat black and cleared with matte clear.... So instead of having specks all over the windshield, in my haste I just gave it an even coat (I know, stupid move). Now it looks frosted... Any ideas how to make it look better? Black it out?

Thanks,

E

E,

I have a spare Revell 41 Willys windshild if some of the suggested solutions don't work well enough for you. It, and all of the other body parts, are leftover from a Willys dragster pickup that I'm building from bashing the Revell/Model King '43 Willys Gasser pickup and the Revell 41 Stone, Woods & Cook Willys coupe. If you need it, send me a message through the board with an address to send it to.

[kasteer]

Wow. Thanks for the great feedback and ideas. The windshield is glued in place so I'll try the future floor polish applied with a brush first and see how that works out. If that doesn't work I'll try to work it out with a hobby knife and try polishing it.

Raul, Thanks alot for offering your windshield! If the above ideas don't work, I'll be getting in touch with you.

I'm really happy with how this car turned out (first time trying a flat color), except for this darn windshield. I'm definitely eager to learn how to correct this mistake. Now I just gotta get through one more day at work so I can get home and work on this...

I'll try to get a pic of thw Willys to post.

Thanks to all!

E

[mikelo]

Here is something worth a try. I am not trying to sound smart, but try spraying clear gloss on it. I discovered this by accident while playing around with chrome parts. If you spray chrome parts with dull coat it makes them look like aluminum. If you spray gloss over that, it brings it back to chrome. (I grabbed the wrong can once )

[kasteer]

Hmmm... I can try spraying clear gloss over it. Didn't think it would work. Now, should I try that before or after I try the Future (which I just picked up during lunch)???

I really hadn't expected the matte spray to make it look frosted, had hoped it would just reduce the shine to match the rest of the car. Live and Learn.

I enjoyed the 41 Willy's so much I picked up another one today. I'm going to try making the doors and trunk open for the first time on this one.

[kasteer]

ok. Tried the Future, but no change... still a foggy windshield.

Where can I get the plastic polish stuff? Deos Advance Auto carry that?

[LVZ2881]

guys, I've got a window that i cant find a replacement for that has a tire mark in it. I have an LMC polishing kit and the Novus, can someome run me through the steps to polish it out...

[935k3]

guys, I've got a window that i cant find a replacement for that has a tire mark in it. I have an LMC polishing kit and the Novus, can someome run me through the steps to polish it out...

First you may have to use regular wet/dry 400 grit to get the mark out then 600 grit then start using the 1800 grit in the polishing kit next 2400,3200,4000,6000,8000,12000. If you can get to a Motorcycle Shop get some Simichrome Polish and use that next then use the Novus #2 then finish with Novus #1. If it still is slightly cloudy try wiping a coat of Future on with a clean lint-free cloth. Dipping makes it a little to thick and unnatural looking. If you mess up the Future remove it with Windex or ammonia and re-apply. Also holding under a hot lamp helps it level out a little better.

[jbwelda]

too bad on the future...it would do the same thing that spraying gloss coat would have but would have been easier to control due to brushing vs masking and spraying.

at this point it sounds like its down to polishing...strip the future with ammonia and polish the dull coat off and polish. or take the kind gentleman up on his offer of a new windshield, thats the best solution.

[kasteer]

Yes. I've taken him up on his VERY KIND offer. I'll try the polish route and see how it goes, and to get some experience. But since I can get a perfect replacement I might as well do that.

[kasteer]

Here's a pic of the 41 Willy's. The frosted windshield is next to the rear wheel.

[Raul_Perez]

Eric,

I dropped the front & rear glass, still on the sprue, it the mail this morning. You should get it some time early next week.

I like the look!! Very sinister!!

[ramonesblues]

Since you have another windshield coming, try throwing the old one into the purple pond, or some dawn disolver. It might take the dull finish off without harm.You've got nothing to lose at this point.

[kasteer]

Since you have another windshield coming, try throwing the old one into the purple pond, or some dawn disolver. It might take the dull finish off without harm.You've got nothing to lose at this point.

purple pond?

dawn disolver?

English please...

[jbwelda]

evidently "purple pond" means castrol super clean or as its known in some markets (i believe) purple power.

its a pretty effective paint remover for most paints. hes right too, might work without hurting or fogging the glass itself.