Last Updated on 2 years by Honest Bikerz
Clean helmet visor scratches in the super easiest way. Safety comes first, they say. And helmets were invented for the very purpose of safety. But even helmets can get scratches and gather dirt, and require cleaning. Here we’ll show you how you can remove scratches and clean helmet visors in a safe and hassle-free way at home.
To remove a scratch from the helmet visor, the first thing that you need to determine is whether it’s a deep scratch or just a minor scuff on the surface. The two kinds are treated in different manners. But the benefit of a deep scratch removal process is that it also removes some of the tints that you might have on the outside of your helmet.
In this post, we’ll show you how you can remove light scratches and fix the tints on your motorcycle helmet with the help of a polishing compound (called Auto polish) that is actually made for cars. We’ll also be instructing you on how to remove the tint on the visor if there is any. The entire process is quite simple and easy and takes only about 20 minutes or so to start and finish.
So, let’s get started, shall we?
But before we begin, remember, it’s always a good practice to take the visor off from the helmet before cleaning it, unless you want to clean the entire helmet along with the visor. Here’s how you can remove it easily:
Taking The Visor Off From The Helmet
- All helmets have a spring-loaded clip attached that holds the visor in place. Keep spreading the visor open until you can reach the clip.
- Pull the clip down to release the latch from it.
- Next, slightly open or close the visor until you hit the point where the visor will pop out.
- To put the visor back in after cleaning, just reverse the entire process.
Now let’s see the equipment that you’ll need to clean the visor from tints and scratches:
The Stuff You’ll Be Needing
- A bucket of warm water mixed with soap (running water also works, in that case you’d have to use liquid soap separately)
- A Power buffer polisher that’s either powered by battery or electricity
- Auto cut and polish cream/paste of a renowned brand (you can use fluoride toothpaste as a cheaper alternative)
- Elbow grease
- 1500, 2000, and 3000 grit sand paper
- Heat gun
- Flashlight or lamp
- A rug or an old piece of cloth
How Do You Clean Helmet Visor Scratches
Now that you know what you’ll be needing to clean the visor, let’s dig into the real business. Here are 4 easy and effective methods for your convenience.
Method 1 (Using Soap and Water)
- Remove the visor from the helmet.
- Fully wash the helmet visor with soap and water.
- Apply the cut and polish cream on the power buffer and run it over the visor, spreading the cut and polish cream evenly all over it.
- Wash it again with soap and water.
Method 2 (Using Sand Paper)
- Remove the visor from the helmet.
- Sand over the entire visor using the 2000-grit sand paper to remove scratches.
- Wet the 3000-grit sand paper, then take the visor under running water and sand it gently.
- Once you’re done with the sanding, give it a finish using the power polisher. Use the cut and polish cream to do it.
Method 3 (Using A Heat Gun)
- Detach the visor from the helmet.
- Wet the 1500-grit sand paper, now hold the visor under running water and gently sand it. Use the nail of your thumb to feel for any scratches on the surface of the visor. Continue rubbing until there are no scratches left.
- Dry out the excess water from the surface of the visor using the rug, then leave it on someplace dry for a couple of hours so that the visor is free from all traces of dampness.
- Set the heat gun to 550 °F and allow it to reach operating temperature.
- Turn on the lamp/flashlight and hold the visor 2 or 3 feet away from it.
- Hold the heat gun approximately 4 inches away from where the scratch is on the visor. Move the gun slowly but constantly across the surface of the visor removing any scuffs and scratches that may remain. Don’t hold the gun in one place for a long time at a stretch.
- Let the visor cool for about 45 minutes before placing it back on the helmet.
Method 4 (Using Toothpaste)
- Take the visor off from the helmet
- Wash the visor and the pad of the power buffer with water.
- While the pad of the buffer is still wet, apply a decent amount of fluoride toothpaste and some Auto polish onto it.
- Buff the visor with the wet buffer and toothpaste to remove any tints and scratches
How Do You Fix A Scratch On A Helmet At Home
Here are some of the most effective and easy methods to get rid of scratches from your helmet visor.
Method 1 (Using A Headlight Restoration Kit)
Headlight restoration kits, originally designed for fixing and replacing the headlights on a vehicle are a commonly used method for getting rid of scratches on a helmet visor. But we’ll advise you not to use a kit because oftentimes the plastic that the visor is made of is way too soft for the kit, and it often leaves noticeable smudges and scratches. It’s better to replace the visor instead.
Method 2 (Using Glass Cleaner)
There’s this excellent paste called Blaze that’s used for cleaning glass windows and visors. You can use that. Although it wears off pretty quickly.
Method 3 (Using Metal Polish)
If the visor is made of acrylic, then you can clean it with metal polish. Although it won’t be as good as new, it will be usable. But if it’s made of polycarbonate, then it probably won’t work.
Method 4 (Using Furniture Polish)
Furniture polish works great on minor scratches. Lemon Pledge is often used, and it works wonders. However, in case of deep scratches, you might have to replace the visor altogether.
Does WD 40 Remove Scratches From Plastic?
Yes and no. WD 40 is an excellent solution for light scratches on the surface of the helmet visor. But unfortunately, for deeper scratches, it’s not that effective.
Can You Wash Helmet With Water?
Well, you can use and should use water and soap to clean the visor of the helmet. But since helmets have padding on the inside, it can often get damaged if it’s not dried off properly after washing. It’s better not to wash the entire helmet with water. Just take the visor off and wash it.
How Do You Protect Your Helmet Visor From Scratches?
The answer is pretty simple. You just need to be careful while handling it. Just because the thing is made for protecting you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t require protecting itself. No, you don’t need to carry it in a protective case to protect it, but you can stretch its lifespan by taking good care of it.
Here are some simple tips on protecting your helmet visor from scratches:
- When on the road, try to avoid following other vehicles or riders too closely. You might get in the range of stones and other debris that fall out with the inertia of their wheels.
- When you’re in a dusty road, don’t ride with the visor up as it’d gather dust on the inside of the visor and damage it.
- When you stop for a drink or a refill, make sure to place your helmet someplace safe so that it doesn’t fall off and gather scratches. Your bike’s seat or handle is not always the safest place for it.
Can You Polish A helmet Visor?
Yes, you definitely can, and you’re highly recommended to do so. You can use an Auto polish, which is basically made for cars but works great for anything with wheels and its accessories. Another cheap yet effective option is toothpaste. Yep, you’ve read it right. Since toothpaste contains fluoride, it can be a great polish for your helmet visor. Read the discussion above to see how you can use it.
Can You Clean Pinlock Visor?
The pin lock system is perhaps the most popular lock system for helmet visors in the world right now. It’s strong and stays put, but at the same time is very easy to take off when you want to. Cleaning a pin-lock visor is just like cleaning any other kind of visor. You just need to take it off from the helmet first.
Are Helmet Visors Universal?
Not exactly universal, but most of the popular brands have similar visors, and similar methods of taking them off. Different brands such as AGV K3 SV, HJC, Shoei, and M2R have an almost similar outlook and method for taking off and putting back on. They usually have a spring-loaded clip called the ‘pin lock that holds the visor into place with the helmet.
Get Set Go!
Well, that was all about helmet visors and how to treat them. We hope this article helps to take better care of your visor and helmet.