Should I replace my ac windshield

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summitx
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Should I replace my ac windshield

Post by summitx »

My aircraft has been parked outside for a number of years. The windshield is quite hazed. I am coming up on my anual and need better vis out the windshield (its gettting quite bad). I have seen some products advertised for ac plexiglass but wonder how effective they are. I assist my ame with the work so can likley replace the windshield for around $400. Has anyone had any experience trying to remove the haze from a windshield? What is the best product to use? Should I try to repair or replace? Thanks for any advice!
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twnotter
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Post by twnotter »

If the entire windshield is hazed or crazed then it will likely be very time consuming to get rid of it, of at all possible. There is a porduct out there called micromesh which can get rid of things like that. For what it's worth, I would get the windshield replaced by a qualified AME.
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twistedoldwrench
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Post by twistedoldwrench »

Mico-mesh will work fine for small localized scatches, however if the entire windsheild is crazed, trying to polish the entire surface will not give you a satisfactory job, with tons of time and effort, it may look good in the hanger, but get it out and facing into the sun will be a different story-
bin there done that. You will be very satisfied with a new windsheild (next year you will want to do the rest-LOL)
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KISS_MY_TCAS
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Post by KISS_MY_TCAS »

$400 will be money well spent, no work you could possibly do to the windshield will be cheaper if you put any value on your time.
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Gurundu the Rat
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Post by Gurundu the Rat »

I replaced the windows on my C-170 two years ago with an AME that I know. Now the windshield is about 400$. If your AME works for free thats great for you. Mine doesn't (the good ones don't) and costs added up as there were a lot of unexpected problems. Minor stuff but time consuming none the less. Don't rush the job or you will end up with a cracked windshield very quickly. Expect to spend the whole day unless your plane is fairly new and your windshield is exactly the right size and needs no trimming at all. Well worth it though. You will be amazed with the difference a clear windshield makes and as someone above mentioned you will probably end up doing the other windows too. They might look clear now but once you get that new windshield in there they will look like crap.
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summitx
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Post by summitx »

Thanks guys for these replys.

I had discussed this briefly with my ame (an honest and great guy) who said he did not have any experience with repair products and could not really advise me on any so I felt it is my responsibility to do a little research. I will go ahead and replace the windshield.

I'm new to this forum and almost frightened to mention I work on my own plane after reading some of the other posts. I have owned an aircraft since 1986, worked as a commercial pilot for 6 years in the 90s and seen and experienced the consequences of poor maintenance. Many decisions are not black and white and I feel the best situation is for a pilot / owner to be hands on working with a good ame to achieve safe and responsible ownership and operation. I'm hopeing to do most of the grunt work myself under the direction of my ame. The windshield is $265 and I'm allowing a couple of extra hours added to usual anual costs and perhaps some additional shop supplies. $400 may be a bit low. Anual is scheduled for the second week of Dec so time will tell.
If I cannot work in this type of environment I cannot afford to continue to participate in general aviation and frankly do not feel it would be safe. It needs to be a team approach.

Thanks again for the help. The success of any community relys on a willingness to share experience and help each other out.
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5x5
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Post by 5x5 »

summitx - whatever type of plane you own, strongly consider joining a type club. They have websites (and usually many other services) that let you connect with folks who actually own the same kind of craft and deal with the same issues. And lots of owners participate in the maintenance of their own airplanes. (Rightfully so IMHO) You needn't be frightened to mention that. There is much more support on an owner's type club website than you'll find here. Avcanada has a wealth of info in its members, but most work at flying or are students who rent. Also, there is more cynicism here as well as the risk of getting silly, non-related responses to your questions.

Use both a type club and Avcanada and decide for yourself which gives you the support you're looking for.
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summitx
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Post by summitx »

ok so here's what we decided to try. Annual went fine a few minor things but nothing unusual. On the advice of my ame decided to wash the windows with an ammonia / water mix then apply 210 plus scratch remover with a power ball then wax with 210 cleaner/polish. A real improvement considering the work involved (not much). Its far from a new windshield but a huge improvement to get me through the winter and consider the replacement this spring. And as you likely guessed I'm way off at $400 to replace. Likely be closer to $600 due to all the labour. Airplanes is like house renos, figure out what you think its gona cost you then add 50% and you may be close. Live and learn.
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twotter
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Post by twotter »

summitx wrote:ok so here's what we decided to try. Annual went fine a few minor things but nothing unusual. On the advice of my ame decided to wash the windows with an ammonia / water mix then apply 210 plus scratch remover with a power ball then wax with 210 cleaner/polish. A real improvement considering the work involved (not much). Its far from a new windshield but a huge improvement to get me through the winter and consider the replacement this spring. And as you likely guessed I'm way off at $400 to replace. Likely be closer to $600 due to all the labour. Airplanes is like house renos, figure out what you think its gona cost you then add 50% and you may be close. Live and learn.
Summitx,

I'm glad you have found an AME that you both respect and trust. That is the most important thing. You both need to build a working relationship tha works for you and then build on it.

As for the stuff you saw on here, most of that was people looking for freebies and trying to bypass their AME. Some people were actually quite rude to us AME types who tried to help them. That is why you saw some anomosity.. Most real questions asked by real people will be dealt with properly but the bs will be treated as such. If you need advice on things like you have asked, there will be lots of info available.
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summitx
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Post by summitx »

Thanks twotter, everyone can use a little advice.
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openendwrench
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Re: Should I replace my ac windshield

Post by openendwrench »

Not to drive a stake into the heart but let's see what it looks like after a year.
I've tried some of the polishing methods mentioned and have not had much success. Agreed, it does work on smalll localized areas, but over the entire windshield, no!
Way too inconsistant.
For the cost of replacing it, that is what i would do. When you are dealing with a pressurized aircraft, Learjet etc, it is worth polishing, but like everything out there, limitiation will prevail.
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gup_69
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Re: Should I replace my ac windshield

Post by gup_69 »

Keep in mind that severe crazing is not limited to the surface...it can have substantial depth. Polishing and micromesh is great for surface defects but not crazing.

Cheers!
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