Fascinating! Oxidized Plastic Windows "fix"
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Fascinating! Oxidized Plastic Windows "fix"
Hey all,
So my 2001 soft top came with an oxidized plastic window. I've done all I can with my current tools to clear it up; I've used Plexus and Meguir's advanced plastic cleaners on a cheap cloth buffer from home depot. I've made a significant improvements in clarity; once I could see absolutely nothing (0% clarity), now I can see blurry shapes and figures (30-50% clarity)! Good enough for me to no longer worry about it anymore.
2 years later, I notice that when I wash my car the layer of water on the window allows me to see clearly through the blurry/oxidized plastic window! I thought, perhaps there was a easy fix for the window using this property I've witnessed. I figured I'd experiment with clear tape since it has a similar property with the layer of water on the window! Sure enough I stuck it on the window and I can see with 80% clarity!
The properties are very fascinating to me and I was wondering if anyone knew what was going on?
When I stick the tape on the outside portion of the window I can see through the blur, but when I stick it on the inside of the window it remains blurry! I called a window tint shop and asked if they knew why this occurred and if they had a clear tint to fix my problem to no avail. They recommended I call TAP Plastics for answers but they didn't have answers at all either. So here I am, asking your intellect for any ideas and potential long term fixes!
Thanks!
So my 2001 soft top came with an oxidized plastic window. I've done all I can with my current tools to clear it up; I've used Plexus and Meguir's advanced plastic cleaners on a cheap cloth buffer from home depot. I've made a significant improvements in clarity; once I could see absolutely nothing (0% clarity), now I can see blurry shapes and figures (30-50% clarity)! Good enough for me to no longer worry about it anymore.
2 years later, I notice that when I wash my car the layer of water on the window allows me to see clearly through the blurry/oxidized plastic window! I thought, perhaps there was a easy fix for the window using this property I've witnessed. I figured I'd experiment with clear tape since it has a similar property with the layer of water on the window! Sure enough I stuck it on the window and I can see with 80% clarity!
The properties are very fascinating to me and I was wondering if anyone knew what was going on?
When I stick the tape on the outside portion of the window I can see through the blur, but when I stick it on the inside of the window it remains blurry! I called a window tint shop and asked if they knew why this occurred and if they had a clear tint to fix my problem to no avail. They recommended I call TAP Plastics for answers but they didn't have answers at all either. So here I am, asking your intellect for any ideas and potential long term fixes!
Thanks!
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: San Francisco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRoL2q-tU-Q
https://www.reddit.com/r/interesting...it_seethrough/
https://www.reddit.com/r/interesting...it_seethrough/
Air and glass have a very different refractive index, so if you have a rough glass surface, the incoming light is scattered in all directions, thus blurring the image you see through it.
Tape has a similar refractive index as glass, so if you stick it to frosted glass, the sticky material will fill out the little bumps in the glass. The non-sticky side is practically flat, so by sticking tape to the frosted side of glass that's frosted on one side, you are essentially making it flat again.
Tape has a similar refractive index as glass, so if you stick it to frosted glass, the sticky material will fill out the little bumps in the glass. The non-sticky side is practically flat, so by sticking tape to the frosted side of glass that's frosted on one side, you are essentially making it flat again.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 40
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRoL2q-tU-Q
https://www.reddit.com/r/interesting...it_seethrough/
https://www.reddit.com/r/interesting...it_seethrough/
Air and glass have a very different refractive index, so if you have a rough glass surface, the incoming light is scattered in all directions, thus blurring the image you see through it.
Tape has a similar refractive index as glass, so if you stick it to frosted glass, the sticky material will fill out the little bumps in the glass. The non-sticky side is practically flat, so by sticking tape to the frosted side of glass that's frosted on one side, you are essentially making it flat again.
Tape has a similar refractive index as glass, so if you stick it to frosted glass, the sticky material will fill out the little bumps in the glass. The non-sticky side is practically flat, so by sticking tape to the frosted side of glass that's frosted on one side, you are essentially making it flat again.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,880
Likes: 5,427
From: Ontario Canada
You should keep polishing the window, maybe use one of those kits that are used on oxidized headlights - I think Meguiars makes one, or 3M. You need to get more of that oxidized layer off the window.
My rear hardtop lexan window was oxidized when I bought the top, I polished most of it out with Meguiars plast-X and their buffing kit, inside and out. It is nearly perfect now.
Plexus is a great product but mainly a maintenance coat, I don't think it is strong enough to buff out heavy oxidation. I use it as a protection coating and I do like it very much to give protection from UV rays.
My rear hardtop lexan window was oxidized when I bought the top, I polished most of it out with Meguiars plast-X and their buffing kit, inside and out. It is nearly perfect now.
Plexus is a great product but mainly a maintenance coat, I don't think it is strong enough to buff out heavy oxidation. I use it as a protection coating and I do like it very much to give protection from UV rays.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 988
Likes: 13
I've used Novis plastic polish with great results---it's a 3 step process and is designed for motorcycle and boat windshields. Its available at motorcycle shops and from Amazon--
https://www.amazon.com/NOVUS-7100-Pl...Plastic+polish
https://www.amazon.com/NOVUS-7100-Pl...Plastic+polish
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