How To Remove Scratches From a Motorcycle Helmet Visor?

Riding with a scratched line right in the middle of your field is equally risky and irritating. And putting up the visor is not always an option. If you’re putting it up, you’re not having fun. Gotta feel that thrust.

If you are going to fix a scratched-up helmet visor yourself then you might want to look up the proper way to do that in advance. Because not all scratches require the same treatment to get fixed up. In fact, using the wrong method might end up doing more damage to the visor which is the last thing you want.

Scratch Removers and Preventives to Take Into Account

Knowing some of the terms and products that are usually used to treat a scratch is the first step of getting into it. So, without further ado let’s hop into that.

Helmet Visor Scratch Guard

A helmet visor scratch guard is a kind of layer over the visor screen that protects it from scratches, dust, and debris. It’s very similar to the protective layer that we use over the cellphone screen. 

These guards are generally made of crystal clear TPU film. They are highly durable so we can use it for a long time as well. Some of the guards also give protection from UV rays.

Polish

Polish is the most common substance used for fixing scratches, tints, and scuff marks. It has an abrasive texture that helps to smooth down the scratches and dents. Depending on the nature of the scratch, the abrasive quality of the polish also changes. Generally, high-quality plastic polishes are used to fix scratches.

Fine Scratch Remover

Fine scratch removers are substances that work more like a polish and handle light surface issues. So it can’t take care of the deeper damages that your sun visor has. It also provides a less invasive performance so using it in a large area may not deliver the expected result.

Formula 1, 3M, Mother’s California Gold are some of the great fine scratch removers. They are generally less abrasive and gentler than most other removers in the market.

Heavy Scratch Remover

As you may have already guessed, these are the substances used to repair the deeper scratches on the visor. Any polishes with higher abrasive power will do the trick. These polishes can do high-invasive work so while working on a larger area they are much recommended.

The ultimate car scratch removers, turtle wax, Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound are some of the heavy scratch polishes that you can try out for the deeper scratches.

How To Remove Scratches From a Motorcycle Helmet Visor?

Now keep in mind that a particular method might not work for all kinds of scratches. Depending on the intensity of the scratch, the method of treatment may vary more or less. In this section, we’ll guide you through the whole fixing process step by step.

For Light Scratches

You may not feel such scratches as you rub on the visor, but surely that fine line keeps your concentration distracted at every ride. Here’s how to deal with them-

Identify the Scratch

Before hopping into the final process you have to know if the scratch is in fact a light scratch or not. If you can see the scratch but can barely feel it on your fingertips while rubbing on it then it’s a light scratch.

Select Remover

Select a light scratch remover of your preference. Any less abrasive polish will work in this case. Also, toothpaste works as a great fine scratch remover. But not all toothpaste works well so try out on a small first area to see how it reacts with the scratch. 

Generally, whitening toothpaste works much better because of its rougher texture which is almost similar to car polishes. 

Rub it

Smear it on the area and gently rub it over it with a soft damp microfiber towel. The scratches will start fading away gradually. Continue the process until the scratches are all gone.

For Deeper Scratches

Deeper scratches are very easy to notice as they are greatly visible. Also while rubbing over the scratches with your finger, you can feel the uneven dents and cuts on your fingertips. These scratches require much work to get removed properly.

Wash It

First, remove the visor from your helmet and wash it gently with mild soap water or baby shampoo to clear off the dust and debris. Avoid using harsh soap or detergent as they may harm the surface of the visor.

Sand It – Phase I

Next, you have to soften the edges of the scratches and minimize it as much as you can. Take a 320 grit sandpaper and wet it in agua. Then start sanding down the edges until you can’t feel them anymore with your thumbnail while rubbing over it. 

This step may create some light scratches from the sandpaper but they will be removed later so don’t worry about it.

Sand It – Phase II

After softening the edges, take a 2000 grit sandpaper which is much less abrasive than the previous one, and again start sanding it for several minutes. For maximum result, use a circular motion while sanding it.

Polish It

Now it’s time for polishing it. At this point, the deeper scratches should be all gone and only light scratches from the sandpaper itself will remain. You can choose any high-quality plastic polish for this step.

Smear a small amount of polish on the visor and start buffing it with a microfiber towel. You can also do it with the help of a power drill attachment. Continue the process until the scratches are all gone.

Wipe and Dry

At this point, all the scratches will be gone and the helmet will be foggy and unclear. Wipe the visor with a wet towel until the foggy tint is gone dry it normally. And it should be good as new!

How to Protect Helmet Visor From Scratches?

Protecting your helmet visor in the first place will relieve you from the frustration and work to fix up the scratches and dents every now and then. Nowadays there are some great visor guards in the market that provide great protection against scratches. Also, avoid touching the visor to protect it from tints and smears. 

Maintaining Helmet Visor

Maintaining your helmet visor properly goes a long way in protecting and keeping it from scratches and smears. After every ride, wipe the visor with a soft damp towel to clean off the dust and debris. You can use a mild soap or baby shampoo to clean the more stubborn dirt.

Besides, you can also use wet wipes or lenses cleaning tissues to wipe it down.

Fog and Water Repellant

Anti-fog or water repellents are substances that prevent your visor from getting fogged up and smeared. You can find different products on the market. Generally, they are available as creams and gels, wet wipes, and spray solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kind of epoxy should I use while fixing a broken visor?

Ans: Any strong epoxy can be used in this case. Plumbers epoxy is recommended as it is strong and also very simple to use.

Q: What should I do if the dirt on the visor is too stubborn to get out?

Ans: In case the dirt is too stubborn to just wipe it down, wet the visor with a damp cloth for some minute to soften the dirt. Then wipe it down with a soft cloth to clean it properly.

Conclusion

Whether you are a beginner or not, discovering a new dent, scratch, or scuff marks on your helmet visor can send you into a frustration spiral while riding. And it’s not exactly possible to get it cleaned up by a professional every time you scratch it up when you can do it yourself easily with just the help of a few tools.

Again, if you are doing it yourself, it’s wiser to know the proper way to do it instead of messing it up and making it even worse. Even if it’s your first time trying to fix a visor, worry not. We have tried to guide you through the whole process on how to do it like a pro.

Also read – How to Carry a Spare Helmet on a Motorcycle?