Plexiglass cleaner?

[Moshe Braner]

A while back I bought some "Plexus" spray bottles and they worked very well on my old, somewhat milky, canopy.  Now looking to buy it again, and the price seems to have tripled.  Is there an effective alternative?

[George Underhill]

I use Novus plastic polish.  Available in spray bottles and a larger refill.  They also sell fine and large scratch polish.

On Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 12:16 Moshe Braner <moshe....@gmail.com> wrote:

A while back I bought some "Plexus" spray bottles and they worked very well on my old, somewhat milky, canopy.  Now looking to buy it again, and the price seems to have tripled.  Is there an effective alternative?

--
Thanks for using RAS_Prime!
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RAS_Prime" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rasprime+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rasprime/517a9d10-c957-4578-963c-db533b5940f4n%40googlegroups.com.

[chris behm]

The Novus 1-2-3 polishes mentioned work great, available at Amazon for not much money.

Less than the cost of ONE can of Plexus.

Amazon.com: NOVUS-PK1-8 | Plastic Clean & Shine #1, Fine Scratch Remover #2, Heavy Scratch Remover #3 and Polish Mates Pack | 8 Ounce Bottles | Automotive Detailing Supplies & Plastic Restorer for Cars : Industrial & Scientific

Regards,

N304DD

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rasprime/CAHZL55fLec5xQTTZ7bFS5u_nBefO8OHWZrmxVzDFop2YE64AeA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Nicholas Kennedy]

Plexus has gotten too expensive.

I use Lemon Pledge and have forever.

It has gotten some I believe false assumptions It can damage or soften plexi.

I believe this to be untrue after using it on plexi now since 1979.

And It smells good.

Old guys sometimes get this funny old man smell to them and I believe this helps with the ladies on the ramp.

Nick 

MS

[Cliff Hilty]

Lol Nick, That's all Turf Soaring used on there 2-33's and glass gliders. It cleans well takes out minor swirls and doesn't build up, but it does leave a little just barely noticeable film, maybe the lemon in it 😘 I really liked the LP Aero Plastic but it too has gotten expensive $22.00 for 16oz although that lasts me for many years. I only use it about 3 times  a season and right before a contest, daily just rinse clean with water and clean with a soft dry cloth.

Cliff

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rasprime/2c389046-3f9e-40fc-b0c4-d77df3de0aebn%40googlegroups.com.

Cliff

[Craig Reinholt]

I have gotten great service from 210 plastic cleaner and polish. Everyone that I've loaned it out to really likes it (and performs much better than Plexus). A can lasts several years. Unfortunately it's price has increased over the years to the $22 range.

https://www.amazon.com/Sumner-Laboratories-23304-Plastic-Cleaner/dp/B00144ASC6/ref=asc_df_B00144ASC6?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80470717337097&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=109414&hvtargid=pla-4584070207427417&msclkid=fb79cd37ab5f11504b09a75f1e6c22a0&th=1

[Kirk Stant]

I still use Plexus on my glider because it just plain works (and canopies are expensive!). 

A less expensive alternative is Clearview Plastic Polish and Protectant (the blue can). 1/3 the price of Plexus and seems to work just as well - I use it on our club's towplanes and gliders and like it.

I am always amazed by how many pilots will fly a club glider/towplane with a really dirty canopy - inside and out! 

Kirk

66

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rasprime/eaed5b96-f2a5-46b4-b368-2f09c16f5e03n%40googlegroups.com.

[Eric Greenwell]

Canopies don't get scratches because there is dust or dirt on them, but because you rub on them. I see some pilots cleaning their canopies every time they fly; instead, I'll wait until I notice the reduced clarity, then carefully clean it, which might be after several flights, or even longer if there aren't any windy days to get dust in the trailer. or under the canopy cover if it's tied out.

[Kirk Stant]

True, if you rub on a dry canopy. However, my experience using Plexus carefully for 25 years on my LS6's canopy has been that the canopy still looks perfect with no visible scratches. 

Another benefit of something like Plexus is the reduced tendency to attract dust - important in desert conditions.

Finally, I think canopy covers are responsible for more damage than realized, when used outdoors in windy conditions. Sunlight doesn't hurt plexiglass unless a plane is outside all the time for a long time - which doesn't apply to gliders normally. A canopy cover beating against a canopy on a windy day is absolutely going to scratch that canopy. Much better to put the cover INSIDE the cockpit, covering the panel and upholstery, when leaving the glider out. For trainers tied out, a hard canopy cover that doesn't touch the canopy is the proper solution.

Where canopy covers are essential are inside a hangar, where they provide some protection against hangar rash. 

I use a simple soft thick padded canopy cover for inside the trailer and hangar, and a thin reflective stretchy cover (that I put on after rigging and cleaning the canopy) to keep the cockpit (and pilot) cool and dust off until just before takeoff - when I can pull it off and stuff it behind me in the cockpit. Keeps all the grass and dirt blown back by towplanes from hitting my freshly cleaned canopy and some nice shade as long as possible. And always results in "you going to fly with that on?" comments from line boys...

Kirk

66

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rasprime/5d2ea572-4a1e-4734-89dc-0eb7a6eb3a9cn%40googlegroups.com.

[Mark Mocho]

I recommend everything that Kirk listed about canopy care, with the additional warning to NEVER use any paper towels or other paper wipes. Only soft cotton or microfiber. Plexus is still my favorite cleaner/polisher. Oh, and to reduce the "are you gonna fly with that thing on" comments, I used to write "Remove Before Flight" on the inside of the canopy cover. It generated its own set of comments, but that is to be expected.

[Charles Mampe]

I agree with most of this, some is personal preference.

My additional comment, peeps take a canopy cover off, then roll it up such that all the grit/crap on the outside rolls against the inside that contacts the canopy. I remove a cover, fold it (usually lengthwise) so that "inside is against inside", then roll it up.

Just my $0.05US (we are losing pennies.......)

Charlie.

[Kirk Stant]

Thats a good point. Also good to wash the cover occasionally, especially in dusty conditions!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rasprime/d94c4548-0a02-4799-af93-03a2c4ee0f22n%40googlegroups.com.

[Doug Tarmichael]

Slightly off topic.... when cleaning a canopy/ windscreen what motion are you using?  Fore & aft, or 'round & around?  I was taught to only go fore & aft or you'll make swirl marks.

Doug.

[Mark Mocho]

Swirl marks from circular motion or side-to-side streaks are distracting when flying into the sun and landing at sunset. They create a rainbow effect and more glare. Not so bad with fore-aft marks.