Good as New? Visor and Windshield Restoration Tested!

Decades of riding and we were still none the visor about which windshield/visor treatments work best. Time to find out! Here we are testing a bunch of polishes, anti-fog solutions and rain repellents in order to see things clearly.
Gear Breakdown
Polishes -
Plexus Plastic Cleaner Protectant and Polish - frt9.co/cdzye0
Slipstreamer Windshield Cleaner/Polish - frt9.co/gcmy4c
Tirox Plastix Cleaner - frt9.co/n61f4f
Anti-Fog Treatments -
Muc-Off Premium Anti-Fog Treatment - frt9.co/gf00j1
Oxford Helmet Care Kit - frt9.co/bnwelt
Pinlock Visors - frt9.co/l9kn3a
Rain Repellent Treatment -
Ipone Visor Rainoff Spray - frt9.co/sombec
National Cycle RainZip Rain Repellent - frt9.co/litf1k
Rain-X Plastic Water Repellent - frt9.co/s6llpi
Potato - frt9.co/y44w4u
Support us by shopping motorcycle gear with this link:
frt9.co/aeu0mn
Or anything with this Amazon link:
frt9.co/30l4bi
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Connect with us:
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[@TiroxSnapJack]

In Tirox's defense, we added the word "Polish" because many "cleaners" were calling themselves polish. Adding a little bit of compound to our formula would bump us up for sure. PLASTIX is primarily a quick plastic, paint cleaner which was initially created for matte materials on many new helmets and bikes and was water based with an additive to help remove bug enzymes. New formulation is in the works.....good review...thanks...Laughed our butts off at the one comment down there @ ****HUB

[@FortNine]

Damn, what a classy response! Most of the time we hear from manufacturers, it's nowhere near this gracious. Thanks Tirox :) ~RF9

[@themadmallard]

If this product was intended for matte materials, would that mean use on complete translucents would be sub optimal? Maybe more opaque plastics would be a target, like colored lamp lenses and such?

[@MrPruske]

thanks for the cool info!

[@phillip2169]

@@FortNine are they in the comments too? Now i want to see which are throwing shade

[@TiroxSnapJack]

@@themadmallard No, you can use it on all materials. It just doesn't contain abrasive polishers. Don't use on coated visors. soap & h20, for visors/coated are as sensitive as a baby's butt.

[@EazyDuz18]

I just got all the scratches out my windshield with a Dual Action polisher, medium cut foam pad and Meguiars PlastX. A lot of car detailing products transfer brilliantly to motorcycles, for a fraction of the price.

[@Jin-Ro]

Haha annoying pic, love it

[@FortNine]

Sweet advice! Although I'm kinda miffed you made me wipe at my screen... ~RF9

[@EazyDuz18]

@@FortNine Lol it gets everybody. But yea many, many car products work great for bikes. A prime example is Muc Off insect remover, costs about double for half as much as a car detailing insect remover. Love your channel, I've binged all your vids!

[@thomaselliott573]

@@FortNine that is because you pose yourself as superlative, when really you are a wanker

[@TrigunV4S]

Combustion69 I was wondering if plastix would work! Gotta try it on my visor did you use orange pad?

[@pingislife2653]

Even if I weren't a motorcyclist, I'm impressed with your experimentations and data collection as a scientist. Thank you for the hard work to get the great info.

[@turtlesquasher]

Can you guys get a patreon page already? Your consistent, high quality should be rewarded! You never settle! Much love from Australia, as always.

[@philspaces7213]

turtlesquasher just buy product from f9, no need for patreon

[@arjorn9121]

@@philspaces7213 Hard to do when you are from Europe. They only sell in Canada.

[@philspaces7213]

Arjorn aah, ok, I didnt know that. Usually we in Canada get the short end of the stick in that situation.

[@ludodg]

@@arjorn9121 Same here. European!

[@tcrmn]

Why? They're a business, this helps them, they don't need extra support otherwise they'd ask for it. So why would you wanna ruin this free quality content by starting to pay for it? You're like the kid in class who reminded the teacher of a pop quiz smh

[@prithvirajdj]

In my country none of these product brands are available except the Potato. 😂😂

[@roscoeskipper7846]

Love these consumer help videos, done with a sense of humor. Thank you Fort Nine and Ryan!

[@henryx-model8967]

I know I’m late to the party but this gentleman is the absolute best in the business. Period. Smart. Entertaining and informative. Funny as Newhart. ( with an edge )

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks for doing the hard work, Ryan.

[@gtirstyper]

Another great and useful article!!! Greetings from Portugal

[@AlexDjalo]

Olá!

[@geoffbartlettphotography]

Thanks for. Useful. Pinlock’s problem is that they are easy to scratch (as noted) and that with glasses on I now have three layers of variously scratched plastic and air gaps between me and what I need to see. The optical aberrations this creates at night had me opening up my visor until I dumped the Pinlock.

[@filip000]

Ryan, do you write the script and the ridiculous, over the top, but still witty and funny jokes yourself? If so, I am very impressed. You present skill, knowledge, and wits, it's a pleasure to watch your videos. Keep it up!

[@Foche_T._Schitt]

A lot of products (motorcycle waxes & soaps) damage polycarbonate. I know soap from showering has ruined the polycarbonate lenses in my glasses. National Cycle has the following warnings CAUTION: Sunlight Heat Buildup Sunlight reflected off the inside curvature of the windscreen can, at certain times of the day, cause extreme heat buildup on the motorcycle's instrument panel and possibly melt it! Exercise care in parking your bike to avoid this. Park your motorcycle in the shade or place an opaque cover over the instrument panel. Note that this is a common issue with all OEM and aftermarket windscreens that have a pronounced or convex curvature. Sun-induced heat damage is generally not covered under your windscreen's warranty. CAUTION: Harmful Chemicals Do not clean acrylic or polycarbonate screens with common glass cleaners. The solvent action of the alcohol or ammonia will destroy the plastic. Do not allow brake fluid, alcohol (including Rain-X or similar agents), ammonia, or strong solvents to contact the screen, as permanent damage will result. CAUTION: Long Term Storage Do not use low quality vinyl covers or old shower curtains to store your motorcycle or your windshield. These products contain chemicals that damage the plastic of windshields and the motorcycle bodywork or fairing.

[@mr7wi]

My Guzzi came with a sunlight heat warning. If I can’t park in the shade, I I cover the speedo with my gloves

[@michaeldiamond2605]

As polish I use lemon furniture polish. It works great . For cleaning vinegar softens dried bugs quickly.

[@DustyBiker]

A must watch for east coast riders. This spring has been wet, wet, wet....

[@Chrisjude100]

I like pinlock lenses but have found that they can still fog if it is cold and damp (like in sleet). I think this is because fitting the lens at home does trap some moisture (at room temperature) which will condense when Canada happens ...

[@mr0mumbles]

Dat ending 👌

[@shamoy1000]

Test " Pledge furniture polish". Works great. I've been using it for decades. My 2000 BMW l1200LT with 88,000 miles wind screen still in good shape. Takes the fogging right off.

[@DB_R20]

Hey Ryan, nice video as always, something I've found is that Zeiss glasses/screen wipes work REALLY well to clean a visor, might be worth looking at :)

[@mr7wi]

DB_ Recordings is there an additive that makes it perform better?

[@Valks-22]

I'm actually using glasses wipes for cleaning/maintaining my visor. Can also take off bugs if you do it at a first stop (carry a few packets in a pocket) Works wonders keeping it clean

[@DB_R20]

It's alchahol, but as the other guy below said it can take all the bugs and stuff off and take away all the smear marks, Zeiss wipes are pretty cheap online.

[@joec2078]

Used Rain-X Plastic and never again. It used to be that I just needed to turn my head left and right periodically to get the cross wind to clear the water. I used rain-x in the hope I wouldn't need to do that. Made it worse. Made all the water bead but not roll off. Allowing many very tiny beads to collect and stay and not even turning my head to get the cross wind helped. Created a dangerous situation and I had to wipe rather frequently with my hand. It was in very fine mist and heavy fog where the tiny droplets will accumulate essentially 'fogging' up the outside. Plus grimy spray water off the road from cars in front of me. Spent an hour cleaning the rain-x off but now I have a visor with swirl marks and light haze but at least I'm back to only needing to turn my head left and right.

[@neebob2]

Another home run !!! Keep it up and thanks . The time you invest into these comparisons is appreciated .

[@davidgee4402]

you should have used the non gel for the shaving cream it works a lot better

[@davec.3198]

I've wetsanded really bad shields before. Then finish up with toothpaste or rubbing compound. Works great. Treat shields just like you would a fogged car lens.

[@louietvm]

Pin-Lock and Rain-X did the trick for my rainy cold winter in my state, great video content!

[@GaryHorn]

I use Plexus on my clear helmet visor and I'm very happy with it. The recommendation came from MCRider. He's not as funny.

[@kirkjohnson9353]

That is my story too. I am a cheap skate and I have to say the Plexus works so good I think it is a good value. And, like Ryan said , it really smells good.

[@John_Ridley]

I put an adhesive Pinlock knock-off on the inside of my Bell Transitions visor. It works incredibly well and took a few minutes to get in perfectly. Mine was from Raleri. I tried Pinlock first and that worked very well except only clear visors with clear lenses were available for my Bell Qualifier Dlx in the US, and without any shading I was very uncomfortable, plus I didn't want to negate the luxury of that expensive Transitions visor, and I was too scared to drill into it.

[@John_Ridley]

There are some cheap Chinese versions for as little as around $10, but I figured I would just spring for the $27 Raleri rather than risk screwing up a $150 Transitions visor.

[@woolypuffin392]

@Fortnine Could you do a video on how to modify a bike yourself? Like changing lights, seats, fenders etc.? Just some basic "How to's" would be pretty neat!

[@DanteYewToob]

Look up MC Garage, Ari Henning is great with that sort of stuff. Those videos helped me a lot with jobs from basic maintenance, to taking apart a carburetor to clean it. MCG is our only real hope, until Ryan gets on it lol Good luck, hope they help you out!

[@woolypuffin392]

@@DanteYewToob Thank you! Switzerland is a mad land were i have to pay 200$ just to change 2 front light 😢

[@elliottg5987]

@@woolypuffin392 Check online and see if you can find a shop manual/service manual. I have one for all my vehicles that shows me how to do just about everything, and for the bigger selling, more popular 4 wheeled vehicles there are always guides on KZbin with model specific, job specific tips. Most shop manuals will take you through step by step how to tackle any moderate level maintenance.

[@gayrunnycumstain]

wow dats way too much. id change ur lights & check tire pressure fr a bj.

[@eddyray666]

Hi, look at "Delboy's Garage" on KZbin as well. MCGarage is great but you can find a lot on D'sG too.

[@boblydecker]

Ryan your videos are brilliant. My favorite motorcycle channel

[@johankling9994]

I really love the way you present.

[@ChaomPR]

It's almost like you are spying on me. Couple of weeks ago I was shopping for tyres. You made a video about it. Today I was thinking how I gotta clean and polish my visor. You made a video about it.

[@bluenordicmoto9288]

You are the best MC geek I know. Keep up the good work 👍🤘

[@kaydars]

I use fragrance free nappy wipes to clean the outside of my visor because it removes bugs easily, doesn't scratch, and breaks the surface tension of water, stopping it from beading in the first place. After cleaning, I dry my visor with a clean chamois. I use the same technique on my windscreen and headlights. Works a treat :)

[@gruxalfa]

Love the stop motion !!!

[@anantjain540]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks.

[@garv317]

Brother, I am from Delhi, India and there is so much hype about windshield in Duke 390. There is a wave of companies coming with different prices. But no one has shown how much air drag it creates. Though many naked styling bike manufacturers doesn't give visor in default as they must have thought that visor may create wind resistance. Please make a video showing effects of visor on such types of bikes to end this anarchy. Thanks.

[@MachineElf]

Household furniture polish, pledge etc, used it for years, it has silicone which fills in the minor scratches buffs to super shine and its free, she buys it...

[@josephd5715]

Very good info. Puzzled how anyone could give this a thumb's down. Easily one of the best sources of helpful info on You Tube.

[@0bliviXx]

You should’ve done a repeat test on the water repellents. You spray it, do your water repellant test, then wipe it down and re test it to see how long the solutions last on the visor

[@billypower3349]

Even shit I never think about catches my eye and complete attention - He has a great way of presenting otherwise boring bollocks!

[@stevemccann3976]

Toothpaste with a moistened cloth works great in restoring clarity to car headlight lens. Removes yellow oxidation on the lexan surface. Small circular motion with medium pressure does the trick.

[@SD-co5sv]

I would love to have Ryan run a "scientific FortNine" lab test on bug removers. I clean dried bugs off my cars, motorcycles, helmets and visors with used dryer sheets. I've never had any issues with scratching or hazing of the visors. I don't know what it is dryer sheets but they work fantastic! Do not use a new sheet, only used from the dryer. Wet thoroughly with water and wipe gently, bugs melt right off, rinse with water and continue to wash normally. I've never had an issue with paint, bodywork, glass, plastic, fairings, etc.

[@alejandrodg82]

That outro was INSANE!!

[@SawyerKnight]

good tests! a little shot of plexus has always done the trick for me :)

[@geoffstartswithg]

Excellent content yet again.

[@TravisTerrell]

A heat gun is the best (and only really effective) way to remove scratches from polycarbonate--and it works GREAT for small scratches. However, deep scratches require pre-drying in a 200° oven for a day or so first, or else they extra high heat required will cause the plastic to bubble. But hey, that they can actually be removed is pretty impressive.

[@vangoodwin7335]

Great info Young Man, So sorry tirox had to be defensive. What a shame, that kind of behavior makes me run from products. Thank You very much Hoka Hey

[@jfeal]

Always well done

[@charleetho]

Where does one buy a chalkboard in 2019?

[@brendangoodenough173]

Nice one..

[@lungulet]

The paint clear coat is a type of plastic so every product for car care should work for the helmets visors (polish, wax, sealants)

[@MediumRareFully]

This is like the Mythbusters of the motorcycle community.. Good Job!

[@jev2867]

You can probably do a video on proper way to do #2 more entertaining than any channel dedicated to motorcycles. You've become my favorite vlogger of any kind.

[@David-sb7vg]

I love the science Ryan.....I think you do too :) love the humour and the sarcasm is spot on. Oh yeah and the presentation is pretty good too!

[@laird2k2]

Why not use Head and Shoulders like in your previous video. Thanks for that tip. Still works great.

[@manorak9781]

Okay. Tophase, shaving foam and potato are my heroes now

[@gustav901]

Should try carnauba wax as a rain replant. Works excellent in my experience. Only lasts one shower but it's dirt cheap.

[@dixoncider7256]

I agree. Always wax after cleaning/polish.

[@AndrewBoundy]

Great as always - Do I remember a potato from a "tips/hacks" vid from 2 years back? Have you debunked your own tip sir? :-O

[@FortNine]

I have indeed. Ryan-of-2-years-ago is a dink. ~RF9

[@Ben-gy4cx]

@@FortNine 🤣🤣🤣

[@Lagggerengineering]

From my experience in restoring plastic car headlights, if the visor had many deep scratches I would wet sand the visor down until I no longer see them, then go with smaller and smaller grits up to 3000, clean it, degrease it with denatured alcohol and spray plastic base coat and clear coat on it. The plastic base coat isn't really necessary, but if you have it, give it some. The clear coat provides a lot of UV resistance which none of the polishes will, plus it provides a physical protection layer. HOWEVER this is a very aggressive form of restoration, on car headlights sure, no problem, it's awesome. But whn your helmet's visor gets to that stage of damage... You really should replace it with a new one. The whole helmet.

[@19Lotus67]

Awesome outro

[@peterbigblock]

I swear by Pinlock lenses on my shields. They work perfectly all the time. No muss no fuss.

[@benjamintoms-lucy9339]

For scratches and rubbing compound would work the best and then you could Polish and wax

[@DARIVSARCHITECTVS]

VERY helpful! Thanks FortNine!

[@sahilarora1072]

please upload more frequently i love you guysss(both of you)

[@peterlambert1090]

I scuba dive and use unscented baby shampoo for anti fog rub on let dry and rinse before diving works better than some marketed products ... just a thought

[@m3talc0re]

You need to update this... I'd like to see wax and ceramic coatings added to the repellents and see how well these anti-foggers work inside of say, a sauna, which is what it's like here in the south -_-

[@johngill7219]

Hi, Wondering if you would do an update on reducing fogging using sport/hockey helmet antifog spray. Never thought of using it until I saw your video. Now I am going to give it a try. Thanks

[@Ashoud_Anobetah]

If it's hazy..wash and dry.. use regular car polishing compound and then wax.. been doing that for years

[@PMG526]

Would have loved to see what an auto lens restore kit would do.

[@vwtransportersandmotorcycl3729]

This guy is a pure comedian 👌

[@jjustj]

sure missed seeing Novus brands! :(

[@antonioneblett7181]

Your videos are outstanding 👍🏿👍🏿

[@13371011337]

Thanks for all the work!

[@godgunner8309]

Greetings from India. Thanks for uploading.

[@mogan23z]

I'm searching for a good rain repellent and I read that some people wax their visors. I was hoping that you tested that.

[@dixoncider7256]

I always wax mine, car windshields too.

[@SgtJCJ]

I’m surprised you didn’t try some sort of car wax as a rain repellent. It works awesome.

[@anidiotinaracingcar4874]

I would still have liked to see the polish used as anti fog. In case they increase the surface tension so much that the water droplets bead and glide down (notice a helmet visor is quite vertical).

[@jredford88]

Absolutely best motorcycle gear reviews anywhere! And for free?! Are you mad?!

[@coolhandchunk]

Shhhhhhhhh

[@jeff5279]

Dude, my wife and I love your videos. We watch other motorcycle-related KZbin channels. Each time she is like "I like that "FortNine" guy way better. Maybe she thinks your face is 🔥. Anyway, I am trying to figure out what that plywood is mounted on your garage door in the background. Please, bro, enlighten me. Thanks. And, keep up the excellent video presentations. We appreciate your work.

[@MK2MOREDOOR]

best way is ceramic coating for rain off

[@Zer-gu8tx]

"your face is hot, congratulations..." me watching this with fever:" thank you 🤒"

[@nigo1787]

"pinlock is permanent", well if by permanent you mean one or two seasons, then yes washing-up liquid is a great rain repellent, and is practically free

[@premixpeter1972]

Fantastic content as always!

[@Boldswords11]

This is oddly good timing considering I am racking my brain trying to clean the caked and dried on bugs (from the previous owner) that were never cleaned.

[@thedroid6462]

I love this guy.

[@motodruid4327]

You forgot the absolute Big Daddy of lens protection and anti-fogging, - washing up liquid.

[@donaldshilo819]

Laugh when I was a kid for anti fog we would rub inside the visor shield with a cut potato, the starch when rubbed inside would help control the fog. Yes Mister Potatohead actually was a biker!

[@brunoguimaraes5122]

I have a hpc rpha 70 with pinlock for about a year and a half. A few months ago, the visor began to blur even with the pinlock, I talked to the store that sold me and to try to solve the problem, through the warranty, I received a new visor and a new pinlock, but again I had the same problem. I already removed it, cleaned it and put it back, but still it continues to fog ...

[@YellingMongoose]

Thanks for the video and tips. Very helpful

[@charliethechaplin]

amazing again. thanks for your hard work

[@Speedytrip]

Would have been nice to see Pledge in the mix :)

[@TeunSegers]

Live long and prosper 🖖

[@magnusconsul]

Ryan thanks for another very informative session! Now have you tried Mr Sheen? Yes its a house cleaner, however I have used it and it seems to work very well. Enjoy the Spring, its Autumn/ Winter here in Adelaide Aust and I am still riding...LOL...

[@JimMcBob42069]

Are more expensive paper filters worth paying for? It seems all the filters on the market are the same design dressed up differently. Is the design of these filters so good that even a low quality cheap filter does the job? How much does it take for a paper filter to fail to the point of engine damage?

[@andydavies5631]

Another great review 👍

[@jimrideshd8832]

How are you doing after the repair of your broken clavicle? Do you still ride? They put mine back together with a metal plate. Good enough to get me back on the road. Excellent video by the way. I wondered If Plexus was any good and now I need to get some. 🤘

[@ShawnKitchen]

As a loyal member of People Of The Agriculture Trades Ononymous, I must object in the strongest possible terms to your use of our beloved product in such an unauthorized manner. Our product is clearly intended to increase people's girth, not improve their vision. I can assure you that the law firm of Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe is taking this matter very seriously.

[@Ididerus]

For polish & repair of plastics there is only one answer, Novus system.

[@williamshanasy2288]

Love your work

[@palantir135]

Keep 'em coming

[@gmctech]

Try Wicked Stainless Steel Polish (usually find it at truck stops an/or truck repair shops).... I use that shit on headlights to polish them and even buffed windsheilds with it.... You'd be amazed what this stuff is capable of

[@donaldklopper]

Nice. Very nice.

[@Z_Russell]

Do a video testing the different chin straps (d-ring, magnetic pull, etc)