Your polycarbonate windshield takes a beating. Just think of all the elements it comes in contact with through the course of a ride. Mud, dust, dirt, rocks, branches, and more—all of these things are inevitable when you’re hitting the trails, but none of them are good for your UTV windshield.
Keeping your windshield clean is important for many reasons. First and foremost, a clean windshield promotes visibility. We don’t know about you, but we like being able to see what’s ahead while we’re going 60+ MPH. But in addition to keeping you safe, a clean windshield just makes your machine look nicer. Proper care can also extend the life of your windshield, which leaves you with more money in your pocket.
Cleaning and caring for a polycarbonate windshield requires a very specific technique. Polycarbonate might be stronger than glass, but unless it’s hard coated, poly collects scratches more easily. That’s why you can’t just grab some Windex and bunched-up paper towels and go at it all willy-nilly. If you want your polycarbonate windshield to stay clean and pristine, there are some “dos” and “don’ts” that you should know.
Let’s jump into how to clean a polycarbonate windshield.
Proper windshield care starts with the right supplies. But before we get into that, let’s start by looking at some items you should NEVER reach for when cleaning a polycarbonate windshield:
All of these materials will wreak havoc on a polycarbonate windshield, especially if it’s not hard coated (more on that later).
So what can you use? Polycarbonate windshield care is actually really simple. You’ll just need a few basic items that you probably already have at home:
Once you have all of those things on hand, it’s time to start cleaning!g!
Start by spraying your windshield with warm, soapy water. Even if you’re using the world’s softest, most non-abrasive cloth, you should never wipe your windshield down without spraying it first. Without water to soften all that dried-on muck, you’re really just spreading mud (which contains gritty sand) back and forth, which can damage your windshield.
The dirtier your windshield is, the more water you’ll want to use. And if the mud is really caked on, you might even need to let it soak for awhile before moving on.
Once you’ve coated your dirty windshield in water, use your microfiber cloth to gently wipe back and forth. Never use circular motions when cleaning polycarbonate. A back-and-forth motion is better because you’re pushing dirt to the sides, rather than dragging it around in circles—another potentially damaging habit.
Another helpful tip is to flip to a clean section of cloth after every pass. This helps you avoid trapping dirt particles in your microfiber cloth.
After you have gently wiped all of the gunk and debris off your windshield (and we can’t emphasize the word “gently” enough), it’s time to rinse. Gently (there it is again!) pour or spray water over the windshield to rinse all of the soap off.
Now it’s time to dry! To avoid collecting water spots, use a clean chamois and blot your windshield dry. The key here is blotting—don’t rub or wipe down your windshield with a chamois, because again, that could lead to unwanted scuffs.
Sometimes things get a little out of hand when riding (in the best way, of course) and you end up totally covered in mud while still miles from home. It’s fun, sure, but you still need a clear windshield to make it back.
Because cleaning a polycarbonate windshield requires such basic supplies, keeping it clean while on the go is a piece of cake. Just make sure you have these materials stashed away somewhere:
Knowing how to properly clean a polycarbonate windshield is one way to keep yours looking good, but it’s not the only thing you should be doing in terms of windshield care.
Here are some other tips for extending the life of your UTV windshield.
Don’t wait until your windshield is absolutely covered to clean it. You can wear that caked-on mud like a badge of honor on your machine’s body work, but regularly cleaning your windshield will keep it looking new for longer. Get in the habit of doing a quick clean after every ride, even if it’s not that dirty.
When you’re not riding, make sure to store your machine out of direct sunlight—preferably in a garage or shed. If you don’t have room in the garage, cover the windshield with a tarp or find somewhere shady. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage polycarbonate windshields over time.
Treatments like SuperATV’s proprietary XR Optic Hard Coating greatly extend the life of a polycarbonate windshield. XR Optic provides unmatched scratch and abrasion resistance. It also offers protection against those UV rays we were just talking about, so you won’t have to worry about your windshield turning cloudy or discolored over time.
Replacing a Damaged Windshield
Sometimes, despite how much you take care of it, your windshield will need to be replaced. If you notice deep scratches, cloudiness, or discolored areas that you can’t clean off, it might be time for a new windshield. A damaged windshield can be a safety hazard. It can reduce visibility which can lead to accidents—so replacing a damaged windshield when needed is essential.
If you’re looking for a replacement windshield, checkout SuperATV for a plethora of options.
Haven’t purchased a UTV windshield yet? SuperATV carries a wide selection of windshields in all different styles. Whether you go with full, flip, half, or rear, they’re all manufactured and packaged right here in Madison, Indiana.
52 Comments
HOW DO YOU REMOVE SCRATCHES FROM A WINDSHEILD
Hey Britt, thanks for tuning in! Unfortunately, there’s no a guaranteed way to get rid of scratches that we know of. This article was aimed more at prevention once you have first purchased your windshield, taking these preventative measures to keep you from building up scratches. The best solution I can offer is to get a new windshield and use this guide as a way to take care of it.
How do you get the sticky residue off that was left behind after removing the protective plastic?
Hey Eric, have you tried using warm water and a light dish soap? We’ve had some say that they’ll use rubbing alcohol, but if you do resort to that, I would try to be sparse with it. Thanks for reading!
I have asked this question 3 times and have had no response. Soap and water and rubbing alcohol have no effect on the glue residue. I have noticed some people saying that lighter fluid or lamp oil will work. since this is a new windshield installed in Sep. 2020 I did not want to do anything to void the warranty. the residue covers almost 1/2 of the outside surface.
Hey Ron, if you can get some pictures and shoot them over to our sales team at sales@superatv.com, they should be able to get you squared away. Thanks for the support!
I have the same problem. I looks like a film left behind from a protective on the windshield. If you figure out how to get it off, let me know
Looking for a full winshield for a 2020 Polaris 570 midsize. Do you have them available?
Thanks
Chuck
Hey Chuck, yes we do have a full windshield for your machine: https://www.superatv.com/polaris-ranger-midsize-scratch-resistant-full-windshield-2015 Thanks for the support!
When parking outside ar deer cam, how do I keep the frost off the inside and outside? Also, what about using a squeegee to remove athe water and wet residue?
Paul Bradley
Pbsbjpb@yahoo.com
Hey Paul, thanks for reading! Really, the only solution to the frost is to get some sort of heater or deicer. We do currently offer cab heaters, depending on what machine you have: https://www.superatv.com/categories/heaters. We appreciate the support!
I have a rzr 900 and am wanting to get a back window for it. I have seen where some windshields require the seat belts to be removed in order to install or take out. Is this true. Thanks DeWayne
Hey DeWayne, thanks for tuning in! If you’re running factory seatbelts, you shouldn’t need to do anything extra. If you’re running aftermarket, then you will have to disconnect them from behind the seat and run them through the slotted hole on the rear windshield. Here’s a link to our RZR 900 Rear Windshield if you want to check it out! https://www.superatv.com/polaris-rzr-900-rear-windshield Thank you for the support!
Hey Tyler, can I purchase just the slider window part for my 800xp doors that I see you now offer for the Ranger Xp 1000? Thanks, BIll
Hey Bill, thanks for tuning in! Unfortunately, the design for the Ranger XP 1000 is very different from the XP 800, so that would not work.
can you use rain x on a poly windshield? or is there something better like pledge?
We accidently used acetone on our windshield what is our best option to fix this if it’s fixable? Oops.
Hey Janelle, thanks for checking in! This isn’t something I’ve dealt with before, but I’d say you’re going to have a pretty hard time fixing it. Give us a call at 855-743-3427 and we’ll see what we can do. Thanks!
Can you use Windex with no alcohol
Ricky, we do not recommend using any cleaning product outside of gentle dish soap like Dawn. Thanks for reading!
Can you use rain ex plastic on these windshields? I use it on my helmet visor and on the windscreen on my motorcycles. Thanks
Hey Shawn, thanks for checking in. We do not advise using Rain-ex, or anything other than what we suggest in this article. Thanks!
Does your Super ATV windshields come with the XR Optic coating or do i have to special order it?
Hey Rick! This will depend on the windshield you are after. Some come with it, which will be noted in the title and the description, and some it is offered as an option to add. If you let me know which one you’re wanting and for which machine, I can let you know exact details. Thanks!
Does the Talon 1000X 3 position windshield come with the XR Optic coating on it?
Hey Vic, thanks for tuning in. It sure does! Here’s a link if you’re interested: https://www.superatv.com/honda-talon-1000-flip-windshield Thanks for the support!
my windshield on my Honda Pioneer is fogged. I guess from the sun, not sure Can I do anythin to clear that up?
Hey Michael! Was it one of our windshields? If it is, fogging will happen if you use any kind of chemical cleaner. This article has care instructions for polycarbonate that keeps fogging from happening. Unfortunately, once this has happened, there’s not much that can be done to make it clear again. However, you can start to use these cleaning procedures moving forward to keep from making it worse. If you’re in need of a replacement, check out our offerings: https://www.superatv.com/utv-windshield Thanks for reaching out!
Klock Werks recommends Shine Werks for their polycarbonate motorcycle and UTV windshields…
“The recommended cleaner for your Klock Werks Polycarbonate Flare™ Windshield, and more!”
“Shine Werks cleans, shines and protects plastic, leather, acrylic, plexiglass, lexan, chrome, fiberglass, and paint. Invisible protective coating protects surfaces and repels dirt, dust, fingerprints, smudges and bugs. Resists scratching and marring of surfaces. Dries quickly and buffs to a streak free shine!”
Hey Brian, thanks for tuning in! We do not recommend any product outside of what is listed in this article for cleaning SuperATV windshields. We manufacture these in house with our own proprietary coating, so we have tested what works best on SuperATV windshields specifically. Thanks!
I clear pipeline right of ways with a forestry mulcher & it has a lexan windshield. How do I clean it & not build up static electricity? I am constantly pouring water on it while cleaning it & let it air dry. After a few minutes of working it’s completely cover with dust because of static electricity.
What is the ratio soap to water in the spray bottle for cleaning the windshield?
Hey Pat, the exact ratio isn’t critical and it varies depending on what soap you’re using, but start with 1 part soap to 4 parts water. Extremely gentle soaps will be closer to 1 part soap to 3 parts water. Thanks for reading!
I have just finished replacing the polycarbonate (Lexan) windshield on my homebuilt aircraft, and ran across your page. Saw your reference to SuperATV’s proprietary XR Optic Hard Coating, and was totally intrigued. Is this an aftermarket product that the owner can apply? Or is it something that you folks do in the manufacturing process? I would love to be able to scratch-proof the windshield and not have to replace it every five years.
Hey Richard, this isn’t something you can apply yourself. We do it in-house with a dedicated flow-coating line. We also apply the hard coating to a full poly sheet before we cut or bend the windshield. A spray-on kit is an interesting idea, but we don’t have anything like that at the moment unfortunately.
That’s a great question though. Thanks for writing in.
We recently purchased a windshield from you guys with the XR Optic Hard Coating, and the other day I got some over spray – spray paint on it (on accident) and we ended up using Isopropanol alcohol and a micro fiber to clean the over spray. I am wondering in what way the Isopropanol alcohol would affect the coating and if we damaged the coating by using Isopropanol alcohol? Thanks
Hi Danial,
Geez, that’s a tough situation. Without seeing the windshield, it’s hard to know exactly what damage was done. However, isopropanol can remove hard coatings of all kinds if used in significant volume. It’s possible that you may have removed or damaged some of the hard coating on your windshield. If you did, you will see that the area is more easily scratched and may begin to fade in the sunlight. You can try to prevent this by parking your machine in the shade/out of direct sunlight when it’s not in use. Only time will tell—hopefully no major damage was done.
I have the poly windshield with vents. How can these be adjusted to help with fogging and frost?
I appreciate this information. I have your flip up windshield on my rzr xp 1000. I want to keep it pristine, can a steam cleaner be used safely?
Hi Jim, thanks for reading! DO NOT steam clean your flip up windshield. If you do, you risk destroying the scratch-resistant hard coating and could even create small cracks in the polycarbonate. It’s not made to withstand that kind of heat!
ugg I just read not to use Windex after finding this site. Will using Windex one time hurt? Just found this site so I can be more informed on my SXS
I have an Arcimoto with a polycarbonate windshield. (and an automatic windshield washer) What type of washer fluid should I use?
It it ok to use a windshield wiper on a Polycarbonate windshield?
Hey Jim,
Using a wiper on your poly windshield could cause scratches and damage. We never recommend installing one.
Hi I just installed a flip up windshield and was impressed with its clarity. I saw it mentioned here you had recommended Pledge furniture polish for someone’s Lexan windshield to repel water. Is that something I could use on this? Is there any product recommendations to repel water on these hard coated polycarbonate windshields? Thanks in advance!
Hey Curt, thanks for reaching out! We don’t recommend using anything on your windshield besides a gentle soap. Other customers may have tried it and it worked, but we can’t guarantee that it won’t cause damage.
What do you recommend for snow clearing on a hard-coded poly windshield if you cannot use a wiper or similar? More specifically, while driving.
Is there an anti fog treatment for poly windshields?
Hey Alan,
Unfortunately, we don’t recommend putting any kind of treatment on your windshield.
Fantastic guide! The step-by-step instructions for cleaning polycarbonate windshields are incredibly helpful and easy to follow. Thanks for sharing these practical tips!
Hey Suyog,
Thanks so much for your positive feedback!
Has anyone put clear “window tint film” on a brand new poly windshield? TIA