Slow progress but progress (DIY two seater tadpole trike, 9hp Honda diesel)

[user removed]

Wow, I never would have thought that rain-x would be OK on lexan. Been a rain-x fan for over 40 years. Thanks for the knowledge pgfpro as well as the compliments on the design and construction. It means a lot to me.

regards
Mech

[sendler]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I figure if I keep it waxed (non abrasive of course) when it rains the raindrops will just blow right over the top of the windshield

Clean your plastic wind screens with Plexus and Photex scanner wipes.
.
Plexus Plastic Cleaner
.
.
Photex Scanner Wipes
.
.
I thought I read that rainX will damage plastic? Scroll down.
.
Rain-X® Original Glass Treatment - Rain-X
.
"Avoid using Rain‑X® Original Glass Treatment on any plastic surfaces, including motorcycle windshields, ATVs and solar panels"

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by sendler

Clean your plastic wind screens with Plexus and Photex scanner wipes.
.
Plexus Plastic Cleaner
.
.
Photex Scanner Wipes
.
.
I thought I read that rainX will damage plastic? Scroll down.
.
Rain-X® Original Glass Treatment - Rain-X
.
"Avoid using Rain‑X® Original Glass Treatment on any plastic surfaces, including motorcycle windshields, ATVs and solar panels"

I have read this also but personally have had great luck using it on all my polycarbonate type shields. One thing you have to be careful with is
cross-contaminating ammonia glass cleaners with rainx. I used "Sprayway" glass cleaner to get the bugs off. Its ammonia free.

Mech,
Anyway now I'm having second thoughts and would hate to recommend something that you could have problems with. So for now I would stay away from rainx. Sorry about that

I'm going to be stopping by one of our local Aero Space/Aircraft painting facility's today. I will ask what is working for them and get back with ya.

[hamsterpower]

As a long time pilot, I have cleaned a lot of plexi windows. I use "Prist" or "210". Both are made for Plexiglass and will clean, polish, and treat with a wax like coating. The other point is use a nice clean soft cloth. Cheap paper towels will scratch badly. And never do the circular motion. I advise a straight wipe in the "direction of airflow". Scratches will happen, best to be all the same direction and to help direct water away.

[Christ]

If you apply Rain-X to poly, do it on a cool day, out of direct sunlight. Until the esters evaporate and deposit the wax, it can damage the coating on the poly screen.

[radiantthought]

Originally Posted by stankoprowski

Take a look at httpwwwsheffieldplasticscomweb_docs/pds/PDS124_TX.pdf and httpswwwfederalregistergov/articles/2003/07/25/03-18924/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-glazing-materials-low-speed-vehicles

You'll have to put the punctuation back in. Apparently I can't post links yet.

I don't do legalese as well as I used to but these seem to say that some polycarbonates are DOT approved.

The DOT will consider it a motorcycle since it has under 4 wheels, therefore the requirements for automotive safety glass shouldn't apply*.

*90% certain of this. Anyone who knows more, is welcome to say otherwise.

[Christ]

Yea I hadn't thought about it being registered as a MC.

Whole diff set of rules for that.

It's a very 'gray' 'crossovery' area.

[user removed]

At one of the few car shows I have attended recently there was a reverse tadpole, similar to mine with legal plates and titled in Va as a motorcycle. I talked with the owner for some time about the inspection process and he basically told me it was no problem. What the Va DMV wants is proof of purchase of major components, frame, engine, transmission, front axle, rear axle. It's done by the State Police and they look it over for
structural integrity and basic compliance with requirements that would apply to any motorcycle. The gray area might be emissions, which will be a "non event" since every thing emissions wise is directly transplanted from a 2011 CBR 250 R. ECU, cat, EFI, evaporative emissions, 02 sensor all are present and the complete system will be fully functional as it was on the bike, even down to the check engine light.

It's actually at the point where I could request the inspection, after filling out all of the paperwork, pay the fees and get it titled in Va. I even have the stamps to put the required, DMV assigned, 17 digit VIN number on the frame.

It's a process that I am very familiar with, done numerous times, dating back to 1973 and basically the same as required with any salvage vehicle that you rebuild here.

This means I can drive-ride it any where in the US once it is titled, licensed, and inspected. Being a motorcycle I don't think it will even be required to have seat belts, but I will have to wear a DOT approved helmet as well as any passenger. I plan to use both helmets and possibly a 5 point harness as is used in race cars.

The rain-x on the windshield will be put on hold for now, but I still appreciate the advice based on experience pgfpro, as well as from everyone who has posted about cleaning and preservation.

Thanks to everyone, I take the advice and experience seriously and it could save me wasted effort and frustration as well as additional expense.

regards
Mech

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by aerohead

I.G.Farben branded their synthetic gasoline 'LEUNA'.
I think we could brand our synthetic, atmospheric gasoline/Diesel,'LOONY'.
Only a lunatic could think of creating fuel out of thin air.But I think you're about there.

Leuna is a town where IG Farben had a plant, but I like the loony bit

Seeing that the USN wants to make fuel out of the ocean, I expect the air will be up next

[freebeard]

There are a number of prodct that might be superior to Rain-X or offer scratch-resistance.

Liquid Armor – hardcore phone screen protection from a simple nano spray [Review] | The Red Ferret Journal

Oakley NanoClear Lens Cleaner + Hydrophobic Kit | Official Oakley Store

Superhydrophobic Coatings | Corrosion Control & Waterproof Coatings | NeverWet

A general search might be hydrophobic coating - Google Search

Also making fuel out of air is a thing.

http://www.google.com/search?q=fuel+from+CO2