My 2012 RT has developed Windshield Sparkles! Anyone else? Any ideas to fix, or just replace?

[solidgranite]

My 2012 RT has developed an odd situation with the windshield. When the sun hits it at a particular angle, there are a million "sparkles" throughout the whole windshield! They can't be seen if the sun isn't hitting the windshield from a specific angle, and they can't be felt at all. When I'm not at the exact angle, the windshield is perfectly clear. Cleaning the windshield doesn't effect them at all. There are no cracks or rock dings...just a million tiny "sparkles". Is my windshield at its end-of-life? Do I need to consider replacing it? Has anyone else seen this?

If I can, I try to get some pictures of the sparkles, but not sure if they'll photograph at all. Here's one...if you can zoom in, you'll see the sparkles. Click on pic and it should enlarge.

*** After reading all the great and helpful responses, I looked for some of the mentioned products, but couldn't find them locally. I decided to try some Meguiar's PLASTX cleaner and polish. From what I can tell, it worked! I tried it on a small section of the windshield, just in case it had a bad effect. The "sparkles" in that area are gone. We haven't had a bright sunny day since I did that, so I'll have to wait and see how the effect is in direct sunlight. If the sparkles are still gone, I'll use it on the whole windshield. My thanks to everyone who responded. You guys (and gals) are the greatest! ***

!!! Okay, an update on the above solution...it didn't work long term. Once the sun was fully out and shining, the sparkles were back. It looks like I'll be searching for a new windshield after all.

 

[Haze]

I have the similar issue, not on my Spyder, but on my SUV.
Driving directly into the bright morning sun is the worst.
The sparkles (In my case) are the result of the windshield being sand blasted during the vicious wind storms we have in Nevada.
No pits or surface blemishes are visible just sparkles.

 

[PMK]

My 2012 RT has developed an odd situation with the windshield. When the sun hits it at a particular angle, there are a million "sparkles" throughout the whole windshield! They can't be seen if the sun isn't hitting the windshield from a specific angle, and they can't be felt at all. When I'm not at the exact angle, the windshield is perfectly clear. Cleaning the windshield doesn't effect them at all. There are no cracks or rock dings...just a million tiny "sparkles". Is my windshield at its end-of-life? Do I need to consider replacing it? Has anyone else seen this?

If I can, I try to get some pictures of the sparkles, but not sure if they'll photograph at all. Here's one...if you can zoom in, you'll see the sparkles. Click on pic and it should enlarge.

The Spyder windscreen is plastic. Oem is acrylic. It is common for acrylic to craze, which are essentially many, many micro cracks.

Crazing happens for several reasons. Age of the plastic, as it gets older it tends to craze. When formed, improper heating, cooling and forming can have this type of issue appear sooner than normal. Some products, even those in glass cleaners can cause issues.

The crazing can be essentially blinding if looking through the windscreen at all. At a guess without seeing it, likely you will need a new windscreen.

 

[RICZ]

You must have your Spyder in the sun a lot as that appears to me that the plastic is drying out and crystallizing. There's no fix for that other than a now one. That's my theory and I'm stickin' to it!

 

[PinkRosePetal]

I've seen this on a different bike after a water repelling preparation had been used on the screen. I've also seen it on polycarbonate spectacle lenses caused by flexing due to expansion in heat. My spyder has a polycarbonate screen, it says so on the screen.

 

[Lew L]

I have the similar issue, not on my Spyder, but on my SUV.
Driving directly into the bright morning sun is the worst.
The sparkles (In my case) are the result of the windshield being sand blasted during the vicious wind storms we have in Nevada.
No pits or surface blemishes are visible just sparkles.

Same thing here---- When I replace the windshield on my Magnum -- it will be the 3rd on an 06 vehicle.

Lew L

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Looks like sand pitting we get here in AZ. Almost imperceptible little tiny chips. Breaks the clear coat which then allows the sun to start yellowing the headlights.

 

[SteveE]

Looks just like my Goldwing windshield did. I put off replacing it for about another year but it progressively got worse to the point of basically being opaque. So, I guess it's up to you as to how long you can put up with it.

 

[h0gr1der]

These plastic windscreens have a definite finite lifespan, both crazing and micro scratches affect some of the different makes of plastic more than others. Even garage kept bikes seem to max out around the 10 year mark if they're ridden and the windshield gets cleaned, even if done correctly.

 

[solidgranite]

Here in NC, we don't really have sand storms, and I don't live near the beach. But the Spyder is in the direct sunlight whenever the sun is shining, and that's a lot down here. There's no pitting or anything that can be felt. I have a feeling its a combination of weather and age.

 

[solidgranite]

I think you're right...its a combination of age and weather, especially the hot sun beating down on it. I only use clean water and a cotton rag (an old tee short) to clean it. The Spyder spends its life outdoors, so it goes through the heat and sun of summer as well as the cold and sun of winter. I'll look into a replacement. Thanks!

 

[solidgranite]

Yup, its in the sun every day the sun is shining, and here in NC, we get a LOT of sunny days. Time for a replacement...

 

[h0gr1der]

I think about it this way. My eyes are tired, just as I am, yet I would never consider going more than a few years before replacing my glasses. I just make plans to replace as soon as I notice the screen glaring or turning white in the sun. Good time to upgrade to one of the fancy wind screens!

 

[solidgranite]

I haven't used anything but clean water and a cotton rag on the windshield. I was tempted to use Rain-X but someone said it wasn't good for the plastic, so I didn't use it. I think the sparkles are the result of age and sun.

 

[solidgranite]

The sparkles only appear when the sun hits it at just the right angle. I'll have to replace it sooner or later, and I might as well start looking for one now.

 

[Mikey]

F4, one of the vendors on the home page would have just what your looking for I believe!:thumbup: Good Luck

 

[solidgranite]

As a glasses wearer myself, I know exactly what you mean. This is the original windshield, and the Spyder is a 2012 model, so 7 years is a good long life for it. I don't know about any fancy new windshield though...I'll be satisfied with a regular OEM type of replacement.

 

[Grandpot]

I have been using PLEXUS plastic cleaner for years. It's a cleaner and also a wax for plastic. The wax fills in those microscopic scratches and really improves the clarity.

 

[cptjam]

F4, one of the vendors on the home page would have just what your looking for I believe!:thumbup: Good Luck

If you are going to replace it, get an F4. Much better in every way. Comes in sizes: make it fit you. JMHO, Joe

 

[Chief-J]

I have the same problem on my 2011 RT-S. Hope it doesn't blow up in my face while I'm riding. Good luck to all with the same issue.