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Does anyone know if it's a no-no to use ammonia-based window cleaners on the polycarbonate roof panel, as would be true with most plastics?
The closest comparable part on most other automobiles is the plastic headlamp assembly. For routine cleaning I would avoid both alcohol and ammonia based cleaners on the fortwo's clear roof or headlamps.
Most new auto sealants work well on both paint (clearcoat) and plastic/polycarbonate materials. With the protection of a sealant all you'll need is a mild auto-wash formula to remove dirt and grime.
After testing a lot of products over the last 4 years on my Scion xA, these are what I recommend:
Excellent, but expensive car care products. Super glossy sealant that takes 15 minutes to apply. - Ultima Paint Guard Plus
An excellent sealant which works well with their Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal. Outstanding gloss! - Zaino Clear Seal
This stuff is actually recommended by just about every auto detailer with specific car care products
one example:
Q: I've heard nothing but good things about Zaino products. I'd like a show car finish. What products do I need?
A: For the ultimate in show car appearance, it is vital to get the cleanest and smoothest finish possible. We recommend washing the car with original blue Liquid Dawn only for this initial cleaning. Once you have your vehicle completely washed, follow up with the Z-18 Claybar, to remove any surface contamination. Follow up the Z-18 Claybar with a thorough wash using our Z-7 Show Car Wash.
BTW Ziano is good stuff but a LOT of labor....
Some manufactures also recommend Dawn or dish soap...
My Nissan 300zx called out Dawn dish soap or similar in the car care section of the owners guide
I personally think it too harsh for weekly / monthly washes... but I prefer it annually to cut through all the built up crud, oil, wax, and other crap...and it does exactly that
one of very few sources of just "wax" --- real pure wax
California Gold®
Pure Carnauba Wax
For polycarbonate---Lexan, soft plastic windows you do not want any of the "Cleaner" waxes... they have polishing agents (micro grit) and dissolvers (petroleum distillates) that are too harsh on the soft stuff...they tend to leave scratches and effect optical quality
I also use the Mothers Gold clay bar (annually)...good products... great prices...local sources
I learned to use RainX on Army Cobra helicopter canopies back in the 70s... The spray on stuff for windshields specified for Glass only... so be careful test first in rear corner out of main view area (I will test first because I am not sure of this plastic window)
It does a excellent job on perfectly clean-- wax, oil, fuel, and crap free clear polycarbonate helicopter windscreens/canopies... and the pilots loved the rain shedding as there are no wipers on a AH-1 Cobra gun ship
Makrolon Cleaning Instructions
The Following techniques for cleaning Makrolon polycarbonate sheet are based on standard
industry practice. To ensure acceptability of the results, always test a sample of the material
with the cleaner and technique to be used.
Guidelines:
Do rinse the sheet with warm water prior to cleaning process.
Don't use abrasives or high alkaline cleaners.
Don't leave cleaners on sheet for long periods, wash immediately.
Don't apply cleaners in direct sunlight or at elevated temperatures.
Don't use scrapers, squeegees or razors.
Don't clean with gasoline.
Do follow the application with a lukewarm water rinse.
Compatible Cleaners and Detergents:
Formula 4091, Joy2, Windex with Ammonia D3, Palmolive4, Naphtha VM&P Grade, Isopropyl Alcohol
To Minimize Fine or Hairline Scratches:
Plastic Polishes applied and removed per manufacturer instructions.
Suggested Polishes:
Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Polish, Cleaner & Detailer (by Meguiars 800-347-5700 or
Meguiars.com)
Novus Plastics Polish #1, #2 (by Novus Inc. 800-NOVUS60 or noscratch.com)
Plexus Plastic Cleaner and Polish (by BTI Chemical Co. PlexusPlasticCleaner.com)
To Remove Masking Adhesive and Glazing Compound:
Apply Naphtha VM&P grade, Kerosene or Isopropyl Alcohol with clean soft cloth. Wash immediately with soap and lukewarm water and rinse with thoroughly with clean water.
To Remove Graffiti:
Naphtha VM&P grade, Isopropyl Alcohol or Butyl Cellosolve removes paint, marker ink. (Do not use in direct sunlight).
Isopropyl Alcohol, Naphtha VM&P grade or Kerosene will help lift stickers and other adhesive backed labels. Wash immediately with soap and lukewarm water and rinse with thoroughly with clean water.
As others have indicated I have used Plexus for years on my Motorcycle and on face shields etc. Works wonderfully and is made for plastics of all kinds. I can rarely find it anywhere locally but can always find it on-line. I recommend it highly.
At the risk of sounding stupid, is Plexus something you can use all over the car (since it is plastic) or only on the roof? I posted this on another thread but haven't received an answer yet.
Funny you bring this up today. I just used Plexus for the first time on my roof and rear quarter pillars. It seems to be just like a wax. I got some overspray on the painted panels and it polished right off - just like wax. The panels were very smooth to the touch after - just like wax.
I don't know how durable it will be compared to an automotive wax, but it won't hurt anything.
Even the overspray on the windows polished off easily.
It says on the can that you can use it on painted surfaces.
For polycarbonate**-Lexan, soft plastic windows you do not want any of the "Cleaner" waxes... they have polishing agents (micro grit) and dissolvers (petroleum distillates) that are too harsh on the soft stuff...they tend to leave scratches and effect optical quality
I also use the Mothers Gold clay bar (annually)...good products... great prices...local sources
I learned to use RainX on Army Cobra helicopter canopies back in the 70s... The spray on stuff for windshields specified for Glass only... so be careful test first in rear corner out of main view area (I will test first because I am not sure of this plastic window)
It does a excellent job on perfectly clean** wax, oil, fuel, and crap free clear polycarbonate helicopter windscreens/canopies... and the pilots loved the rain shedding as there are no wipers on a AH-1 Cobra gun ship
I have used Rain-X on the glass and the roof for over 6mo. Roof is as clear as new.
**************************************
Last week I put rain-X on everything, top, glass, panels, wheels incl tires. Rinsed the car thoroughly, drove around the block..... Result: Clean, Dry, No spots shiny car.
Today
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