Safely remove visor scratches | Instructions for scratches on the motorcycle’s display, paintwork and fairing
Scratches on the motorcycle are annoying, some are even dangerous. Visor scratches in particular impair visibility and cause glare, especially in the dark and against the light. The good news is that with the right knowledge, the right tools and a few clear steps, you can get it under control again. In this guide, we show you the right method for every component, from the visor and windshield to the display, paintwork and fairing. You will know when gentle polishing is enough and when repair or replacement is the wiser choice. In this way, you can proceed step by step, avoid expensive mistakes and get clear, clean surfaces again.
The MYCOVER® team clarifies!
Table of Contents
- Scratches on the motorcycle and their consequences for visibility and safety
- Correctly assess visor scratches and the like with three simple tests
- How to decide between polishing, repairing or replacing
- Remove scratches by component: visor, display, paint, cladding
- Effort, costs and risks when removing scratches from a motorcycle
- Conclusion: Safely repair visor scratches and scratches on the motorcycle
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions about visor scratches and scratches on motorcycles
Scratches on the motorcycle and their consequences for visibility and safety
Even small scratches on the visor and windshield scatter the light and cause glare at night and against the light. Scratches on the display make it difficult to read and paint marks reduce the value of the motorcycle. Coated plastics are particularly critical, as the hard coating, anti-reflective coating and Pinlock cannot be restored. Visor scratches can cause double vision, bind moisture and promote fogging. Road safety suffers and the risk of accidents increases.
Correctly assess visor scratches and the like with three simple tests
Before you do anything, the focus is on assessment. With three simple tests, you can recognize whether a track is superficial or a deep groove, on the motorcycle or on the visor.
▸ Hold the cell phone lamp at a shallow angle
Hold the lamp just above the surface and tilt it slowly. Superficial marks show a fine haze, deep grooves appear as a clear line and cast hard shadows.
▸ Cotton pad without pressure
Run a soft cotton pad across the area. If it glides smoothly, the mark is usually superficial. If fibers get caught, there is an edge and the groove is considered deep.
▸ Finger nail across
Gently drag the finger nail across the track. If it catches, jerks or falters, the groove counts as deep, particularly critical on the visor, windshield and display.
Classification
Make a note of superficial marks for later treatment. Mark scoring that can be felt or is visible with hard shadows as critical, especially on the visor, windshield and display of the motorcycle. The decision between polishing, repair or replacement is made in the next section.
How to decide between polishing, repairing or replacing
Polishing: Suitable for superficial, imperceptible marks. This works well on clear lacquer and acrylic without a hard coating. On polycarbonate (visor, windshield), first test in a small, inconspicuous area: with fine plastic polish, little pressure and short intervals, checking against the light in between. Why: Polycarbonate heats up quickly and can show haze or double images. Stop as soon as fogging or double contours appear.
Spot repair: Localized paint repair for clearly defined damage to the tank or painted trim. You fill the area, sand finely, polish and visually even out the transition. This usually provides a much better result, but slight transitions are possible. Not for visor, windshield or display.
Replacement: The choice for noticeable, deep grooves, damaged coatings, cracks or damage in the sealing path of the standpipe. Especially in the case of visor scratches with double images or motorcycle windshields and displays, replacement is the quickest way to restore a safe, clear view.
Decide on depth, material, coating and position in the field of vision. Clear view before optics.
Remove scratches by component: visor, display, paint, cladding
Each part reacts differently. With the right sequence, you can work quickly and in a controlled manner without creating new tracks. Clean your motorcycle thoroughly beforehand. Find out more in the“Motorcycle wash & care” guide.
Visor and windshield
First remove the Pinlock and clean thoroughly with pH neutral cleaner, then dry lint-free. Then place a small test area on a soft pad with a fine plastic polish in an inconspicuous place, polish with little pressure and short strokes. Wipe off any residue after each pass and check in oblique light. If haze and double contours become visible or the scratch can still be felt, stop and plan the replacement. Superficial visor scratches can often be minimized in this way. Find out more in the“Cleaning helmet and visor” guide.
Display and cockpit
Only clean gently and do not use any agents containing alcohol. Check whether a cover film has been fitted. Small marks can usually be concealed with a high-quality protective film. Polish only minimally and check again immediately. This way, you can remove scratches from the motorcycle display without leaving a permanent haze. For more detailed information on the display, take a look at our page on“Cleaning and protecting motorcycle displays“.
Paint and tank
After washing, mask off edges and decorative lines. Work in small patches with a mild abrasive polish, working in a criss-cross pattern, then clarify and seal with a fine finish. As soon as edges appear thin or the base coat shows through, finish the job. Deep paint scratches on the motorcycle belong to the painter. More on this in the“Motorcycle paintwork” guide.
Plastic cladding
Treat painted cladding like clear varnish. Treat unpainted plastic with a mild plastic polish at short intervals without applying heat. If deep marks remain, use targeted repair or replacement instead of removing large areas of material. In this way, you can get scratches on the trim under control.
Protection is crucial after reconditioning, which is why we recommend a custom-fit MYCOVER® Cover to protect the paintwork, plastic and visible parts from new marks. You can easily find your perfect size in the size finder.
Effort, costs and risks when removing scratches from a motorcycle
In practice, minor corrections to the windshield, visor, display or clear coat usually take 20 to 60 minutes per part. Neutral pH cleaner, microfiber cloths, a fine polish and a soft pad are sufficient for this. The material costs typically range between 15 and 40 euros. However, if the scratch can be felt or is in the direct field of vision, the time required quickly increases to over an hour, while the result remains uncertain, especially in the case of visor scratches.
A quick look at the costs will help you decide: A new visor often costs 30 to 120 euros, a windshield 60 to 200 euros. Display protection films are around €10 to €25, covers for instruments €20 to €60. A professional spot repair on the tank or painted fairing usually starts at 150 to 350 euros per spot, DIY materials at 20 to 50 euros. As a rule of thumb, the replacement is worthwhile if the replacement price is roughly the same as the amount of material plus one hour’s work, then you will get a good result faster and more reliably.
Stop every test immediately if fog or double images appear in the test area, a perceptible edge remains, a coating is damaged or the sealing path of the standpipe would be affected. You can avoid many follow-up costs with a clean pre-wash, pH-neutral cleaner, soft cloths and complete rinsing of the particles. And to ensure that the work lasts for a long time, a precisely fitting MYCOVER® protects ® Motorcycle covers protect your motorcycle from dust, UV and contact, so you have to remove scratches less often.
Conclusion: Safely repair visor scratches and scratches on the motorcycle
With careful preparation, fine polishes and clear stop signals, you can achieve rapid improvements without risking new damage. Noticeable scoring, fogging or damaged coatings remain a case for replacement, clear visibility comes before appearance. This preserves the safety, appearance and value of your motorcycle in the long term.
Protect the result with a custom-fit MYCOVER® cover. It reliably protects the windshield, paintwork and display from dust, UV and theft. Select and order your size now:
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FAQ: Frequently asked questions about visor scratches and scratches on motorcycles
How do you remove scratches from a motorcycle visor?
Clean thoroughly, remove Pinlock, use fine plastic polish with a soft pad and little pressure, polish briefly and check often. Do not polish noticeable grooves any further, but replace them.
Which toothpaste helps to remove scratches?
None. Toothpaste is unevenly abrasive, creates streaks and milky surfaces. Use a designated plastic polish.
Can you remove scratches with WD-40?
No. WD-40 fills for a short time at most, does not remove scratches and can attack coatings. Do not use.
How do you get scratches out of the visor?
Polish carefully and pay attention to coatings. If double images or haze occur, stop immediately and replace.
How do you get scratches out of a plastic visor?
Only polish polycarbonate very finely and with little pressure. Acrylic depending on condition with P3000 wet sanding plus polishing, but only without hard coating.
What home remedies can I use to remove scratches from the display?
No home remedies. Use a fine plastic polish or a filling display protection film. Avoid alcohol, abrasive cleaners and oils.
How to remove deep scratches from the visor?
In practice, hardly without optical distortion. Anything you can feel with your fingernail is a case for replacement.
Can a scratched visor fog up more quickly?
Yes. Scratches and damaged anti-fog layers retain moisture and scatter light. This promotes fogging and glare.
Why replace the helmet visor if it is scratched?
Visibility and safety suffer. Scratches destroy coatings, cause glare and double vision and promote stress cracks. A new visor reliably restores clear vision.
