How to clean a Mirror shield without scratching it?

[Shano22]

I just put a new green mirror shield on my hjc helmet and now that i have a collection of bugs on it i need to clean it. But it looks like even a gentle rub to get the bugs off scratches the mirror finish on it. How do you guys with mirror shields clean bugs and debri off without scratching it??

[Snake]

First you should take the shield off and rinse it with warm water to loosen up the bugs. Then I spray it down with any brand glass cleaner ( I use Windex). Then dry with a soft cotton cloth.

[Shano22]

Ok thanks i was debating on using windex or not but im going to try that now ill let ya know how it goes. Thanks!

[Snake]

No prob...Any time. Remember to soak those buggers real good.

[BlueRaven]

I let lukewarm water run over the shield until most of the bugs have washed away and then with my clean hands will gently rub the leftover bug crap loose. Then i'll let it dry by itself. I will use my silk cloth from my glasses to clean any streaks away.

[Shano22]

Worked perfect, squeaky clean now! Thanks for the tip Snake!

[Shano22]

And thanks BlueRaven too! I used my little microfiber cloth thingy to get my finger prints off the lense after re-installing it.

[BlueRaven]

I'm glad the windex worked. I was always afraid to use chemicals.

[Banzai]

I wax my face shields with spray detailer. Just used some ICE, works amazingly well for getting bugs off after that. Just hit it with a half mist of detailer and a microfiber cloth, and it's perfect. I clean after every ride so it's ready to go as soon as I mount up. Over a year now, not a single scratch or ill effect on an HJC and an Icon mirrored shield.

[Shano22]

I'll have to try that. I just got the shield over the weekend so i rode with it from saturday till now but i pln on cleaning it after every ride so it will stay nice and clean

[Snake]

I also put wax on both the inside and outside of the shield. On the inside it helps to keep the shield from fogging up. On the outside it makes the bugs easier to clean off and if I get cought in the rain it makes it bead off so I can see.

[Cedilla]

The best way for me to clean it is with a paper towel under running water. Of course im lazy and I usually just run a wet paper towel over it before a ride, so my mirrored shield has some spots where the mirrored finish flaked off.

[00v_Lucky]

I HIGHLY suggest that you do NOT use windex for your iridium shield often/at all. My suomy iridium blue shield has major damage due to chemicals (goodbye $65) I used on the shield: discoloration and even some areas that have flaked off. I can still see out of my shield but, it is very annoying sometimes.

Water and a microfiber cloth is all you need.

[00v_Lucky]

Originally Posted by Snake

I also put wax on both the inside and outside of the shield. On the inside it helps to keep the shield from fogging up. On the outside it makes the bugs easier to clean off and if I get cought in the rain it makes it bead off so I can see.

Snake, that is genius, how come I never thought of that!

question. What kind of wax do you use?

[Boywonder]

I used to work in the optical industry for years and I definitely would also advise against using Windex. It will eat the coatings off of eyeglass lenses so I would expect it to do the same to your shield. Warm water and a soft towel should be sufficient. No paper towels. If it's greasy/streaky, spray some eyeglass cleaner on it or use a little bit mild liquid hand soap with the warm water.

[addy126]

I use warm water with dish soap, hand wash, rinse again thoroughly with warm water, no paper towels, microfiber the street side of the visor, and pay careful attention to the inside of the visor. Scorpion Exo's have the everclear on my mirrored, using wax on it will screw the inside up big time. Using microfiber or any cloth do not wipe the inside, "pat" it dry or the fibers will stick to the everclear coating and look dreadful....then you have to start all over again.

[ScorpionNinja]

Ya mean covered like this?

[Shano22]

HOLY BUGS!! theres so many that its just disgusting!! Good thing you had a helmet on instead of catchin all those in your teeth

[noche_caliente]

Shane - I found that taking a really hot paper towel and letting it sit on the visor helps to loosen them up quite a bit, and then I can usually just wipe them off with the same paper towel or one of the chem-wipes from work.

[ASecretNinja]

I use Meguiars Quik Detail sometimes, but most of the time I'll use Novus Plastic Polish #1. Stunning results, plus it has an anti-fogging agent.

[adri99an]

I use......

Meguiars Plastic Cleaner/Polish
• Restores clarity to clear plastics• Cutting-edge advancements in micro-abrasive technology gently removes fine scratches, surface stains, contaminants and ....

[adri99an]

Originally Posted by ScorpionNinja

Ya mean covered like this?

That's a lot of protein on your shield....lol

[Shano22]

Where can i get me some of that Novus Plastic Polish at?? Can i order it over the internet or do they sell it at NAPA or Advanced auto?

[Snake]

I have used plastic polish on my clear and dark shield with good results but I would not use it on a mirrored shield as it contains fine abrasives.

[Alex]

I use Plexus on mine, but haven't tried it on a mirrored shield.

[Shano22]

well for now the warm water is working fine. I don't plan on experimenting with cleaners or polishes until i know that they are made for a mirror finish shield. Thanks for all the info guys!!

[untdavid]

I work in the optical industry and recommend just warm water or a optical spray. I've seen plenty of Non glare and Mirror coats come off of Polycarb optical lenses, because the customer used soap or cleaners that were to abrasive for the coatings.

[ScorpionNinja]

For you Scorpion Exo Helmet users....

MAKE SURE, that you DONT USE HOT TAP WATER!!! (Dont let the faucet water run for 5mins till its HOTTT!)

Using water that HOT, will MELT and Rid your Visor of your Fog-Free Coating!

take it from me! lol


Use 'Luke warm water" never HOT faucet running water thats been running 5mins! :no:

[BlueRaven]

I wouldn't use mild dish soap. If it not recommended to wash my vehicles with i don't feel it would be safe to use on shields either.

[LazinCajun]

If the dish soap is neutral (pH = 7), then I think it should be fine for clear shields -- this is what Shoei recommends for my (non-mirrored!) visor. YMMV with mirrored shields, no idea there.

[ScorpionNinja]

How about using an AUTO CAR WASH, sumin like Eagle One, put a Cap sized bit into a clean empty Spray bottle, mixed with Water!

Would that mess up the coating on FOG-FREE shields and or Mirrored visors?

soak the Visor in LUKE WARM water, then use the above spray bottle to wet it down and wipe off with a microfiber towel?

[rockNroll]

It depends on the brad of visor too. I have numerous shoei helmets and have shoei iridium visors on them... I can use water, spit, windex ... seems pretty much anything on them and they last me for years. I have this suomy helmet and have ruined three of their shields. The first was with windex, my fault but it was what I usually use on visors. The next was with a small amount of dish soap in water and a micro fiber towel. The last was plain water and micro fiber towel. I ruined them all the first time I tried to clean them... all within like 4 weeks. The first two were the iridium-only and the third was the mirrored (same as the normal iridium ones cept a tinted visor is used). I ended up "washing" the rest of the iridium coating off with windex and now its just a tinted visor.