Can-Am UTV Windshield Care: Cleaning Products And Washing Methods

Whether you’re working hard or playing hard, and regardless of whether you tear it up on the trails, backroads, or stretches of barren land, there are dozens of benefits one can gain by running a Can-Am UTV windshield. Be it a tinted half windshield on your Can-Am Defender or a laminated glass windshield on your Can-Am Maverick Trail / Sport, your front windscreen is going to get messy, there's no doubt about that.

Although the accumulated layers of dirt and mud stains might serve as symbols of hard work and good times had, leaving your rig dirty and not cleaning it can actually harm the vehicle in the long run -- and end up costing you more money on repairs and replacement parts. Like the hood and body panels, Can-Am UTV windshields can also become riddled with dried dirt and mud spatter. It's one thing to clean your rig for looks, but quite another to keep it clean for a clear line of sight,

Unfortunately, cleaning a Can-Am windshield the right way requires more than dish soap, old rags, and your garden hose. Especially with poly windshields, ensuring proper care and diligence when washing will prevent scratches from developing over time. So before you let the mud dry on your Maverick X3, let’s take a look at how important cleaning your windshield is, and how doing so with the proper Can-Am windshield cleaning products will prevent damage and increase visibility to save you more than just money!

Know Your Windshield Material

Before you get to scrubbing, it’s important to know what material your Can-Am windshield is made of. Whether it’s glass, acrylic or polycarbonate, each requires its own washing process and maintenance measures. Glass is scratch-resistant, so you can clean it how ever you’d like -- though the best way is always rinsing it with water and wiping it down with a cloth. Acrylic windshields, AKA Plexiglass or Lucite windshields, are fairly scratch-resistant, but not quite as much as glass. Polycarbonate, on the other hand, is the strongest of the three materials, but is susceptible to scratching. Even hard-coated and scratch resistant poly windshields can scuff over time, and if you apply the wrong Can-Am windshield cleaning products, the material may become foggy, hazy, or structurally compromised. So do right by your front and rear windshields and do your homework!

How to Properly Clean A Can-Am Windshield

So you now know the type of windshield material you’re dealing with, but how can can you get that dried-up grime off your windshield easily and without scratching it?

To start with, thoroughly wash your windshield, but don’t pull out the sponge or rag just yet. The grit and gravel in all that dirt can easily scrape your windshield if it’s smudged around with the wrong cleaning tools. To minimize damage, start by using a hose or hand pump to rinse away any loose dirt. 

Next, you’ll need a cloth, scrub brush or washing mitt. We recommend a soft, lint-free cloth that is brand-new, though a used one will work just fine so long as it is completely clean. Rinse your cloth and be sure you don’t see any particles in the water before use -- especially if you're using an old bucked or drawing from natural sources like rivers, lakes, and springs.

Create a mixture of mild liquid dish soap and warm water, or a UTV-specific cleaning solution like the Polycarbonate Windshield Cleaning Fluid by EMP. Novus is a popular side-by-side windshield cleaning solution, and there are other products out there like RainX and anti-fogging sprays to help repel water and mitigate fog. If you have a polycarbonate windshield, avoid using harsh abrasives or chemicals that might cause damage, and instead consider using a light detergent such as dish soap, baby shampoo, or hand soap.

After rinsing, you might have to put in a little elbow grease to get the rest of the dirt off of your windshield. Wet your cloth in your preferred Can-Am cleaning product and wash your windshield’s interior and exterior, applying light pressure to reduce the risk of scratching. Do not use paper towels or Windex; paper towels are abrasive, and Windex is a harsh chemical that may create micro-scratches on the surface of your plastic windows and windscreens.

Once all the dirt is wiped away, rinse the windshield down once more to clear away any remaining loose dirt. Spot check as you see fit, using the recommended side-to-side motion. Let your windshield air dry for 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the humidity level. While Can-Am windshield cleaning products like shammies are ok for the body panels, for windshields, air drying is the best.

Once your Commander, Maverick, or Defender windshield is dry, you’re all set to get it muddied up on the trails all over again! Stay safe while riding, and be sure to check out Everything Can-Am Off-Road for all your UTV parts and accessories. Still need a windshield? Browse our Windshields available from several of the industries leading brands!