Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:22 pm
by Skippydiesel
The Sonex windscreen design makes for a very difficult INTERNAL clean.
Good pilot visibility, unobstructed by smears, specs of insect poop, etc is essential for safe flying.
My arm/hand, with a cleaning cloth, will only reach a bit over half way forward, on the screen and will not fit down the sides at all - leaving quite a large area of uncleaned polycarbonate.
I am leary about using a stick, with rag attached, for fear of scratching the polycarbonate.
I would like to hear from Sonex owners who have come up with techniques, to clean at least most of the windscreen without causing damage
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:27 pm
by Bryan Cotton
I kneel on the seat and lean over the glareshield. It’s a pain. I’m only 5’7" so my arms are not really long.
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 7:41 pm
by Skippydiesel
My arse is so close to the ground, I drag my knuckles - ha! ha!
Seriously - it is a problem of the design - all Sonex flyers must have the same problem. Surly some have come up with a surefire way of cleaning the inside of the windscreen???
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2024 5:54 pm
by Skippydiesel
Wow! A problem common to all Sonex and only one respondent. What can this mean???
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2024 6:34 pm
by Weatherpilot
Being a tall person I have long arms. Go Go Gadget arms.
No problemo
Guess I was born to clean a Sonex inside windscreen. I’ll be at Oshkosh with my microfiber towels and cleaner for anyone that I can help out.
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2024 8:36 pm
by BobDz
Mine is easy to clean.
(Just took it out of the box)
But you have me thinking about a modified drywall pole sander with a microfiber cloth.
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2024 8:39 pm
by Skippydiesel
Great response Weatherpilot - and what an offer. Shame that Oshkosh is just a little beyond my Sonex range (from Australia)
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2024 8:45 pm
by Skippydiesel
Hi BobDz,
Don’t know if you’ve found out yet BUT polycarbonate sheet has two big drawbacks:
Seems to attract scratches/abrasion like a iron filings to a magnet. I would not want to put any sort of metal device (modified drywall sander) anywhere near it.
Hydrocarbons (eg petrol, many cleaning products, etc) will make it craze even crack should a drop or two land on it
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2024 9:09 pm
by Bryan Cotton
Skippydiesel wrote:Great response Weatherpilot - and what an offer. Shame that Oshkosh is just a little beyond my Sonex range (from Australia)
I thought you put long range tanks in your airplane? Some temporary skinny wheels for payload and cruise speed should make it possible. I’d buy your dinner at the Sonex builder’s BBQ while Greg does your window.
Edit: back to seriousness, I can clean my windshield pretty good. I find I only have to do the inside about once for every 3 or 4 outside cleanings.
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:48 pm
by BRS
About a year ago I purchased this slick two sided magnetic cleaner. It comes with it’s own micro-fiber cloth on both halves and they are attracted to each other with an adjustable magnet. So the idea is you wet both halves and put one on the inside and the other on the outside and wipe away. I believe it was designed for folks in high rise buildings with windows that only crack open a few inches. Alas, it’s still new and I’ve not tried it yet so can’t give a pirep.
https://www.amazon.com/magnetic-cleaner … er+windows
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2024 3:08 am
by Skippydiesel
Hi BRS
(do you come with a parachute?:))
I like the idea of your magnetic in/out cleaning system but will wait for your review, before committing to a purchase.
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2024 11:51 am
by BRS
Skippydiesel wrote:Hi BRS
(do you come with a parachute?:))
Cute, first time I’ve heard that. BTW - you can’t (but you did) use a smiley 
face and parenthesis next to each other :-)) doesn’t work.
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2024 4:17 pm
by Area 51%
A late-night “as seen on TV” item I used with great success is the “Windshield Wonder”. You can still get them at Walmart for $10.
I did have to heat and reshape it as it comes out of the box flat.
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2024 5:32 pm
by Skippydiesel
Ah! The wonderful Walmart Aero Space suplies 
- unfortunately not a store with Worldwide locations.
Re: Windscreen cleaning
Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:45 pm
by Skippydiesel
I am truly stunned - I thought I would be swamped with responses.
My analysis of the few replies (well below that necessary for a statistically meaningful conclusion);
Lanky pilots probably have no difficulty in reaching the furthermost/narrowest parts of the windscreen.
The rest (less vertically blessed) are extraordinarily generous with offers of free windscreen cleaning & dinner - I just have to commit me & my Sonex to a trans Pacific flight:)
As for the great unresponsive - they either live with visual impairment (dirty/foggy windscreen) or seek out a tall slim person, of willing disposition, to clean the inside of their windscreen.