Thread: Bruce's Custom Covers

I have a beautiful cover and have a question. In West Texas, we get a lot of blowing dust in the spring and my hangar allow some of it to come in. I've been using the cover, but a friend of mine says that it's better to leave it off and let the dust get blown off when you start the prop. I've always thought it would be better to keep it off completely, but he says it does more damage to the windshield removing the cover than the dust itself. Would like some opinions. I have been using distilled water in a spray bottle if the dust gets too thick.

Thanks, John

Keep the dust off to start with is always the best practice. The prop only blows off a very small amount. The rest is left for you to wipe off and no matter how careful you are you can't help, but start leaving very small scratches. I always cover my windshield with a sheet I have at the hanger which gets washed once in a while. The same side always faces up. The less I have to wipe or clean my windshield the less fine scratches I put in it. If I have bugs I spray my windshield with the cleaner and let them soak for a minute. Remember bugs wear their skeleton on the outside and it will scratch. I never let a dust covered item lay on any of my glass. I only use a clean rag right out of the dryer that was put in a sealed plastic bag. Wash off any dust with a lot of water, not just a spray bottle, but a good dousing rinse. Then use your window cleaning spray. Never just use your spray on a dust covered window as the fine dust gets embedded in the cloth and works like sandpaper to leave scratches. Never ever use paper products to clean a windshield as paper has hard particles of sand, dirt and wood embedded in it from the Mfg.

Patrnflyr:

I fly XC frequently and use a Bruce's travel cover 100% of the time. I am careful and thus far my windshield looks new. The idea is, as Roger Lee mentioned, not to rub the dust in, I normally wipe the windows with Plexus after landing and then cover the plane. Because the cover provides cover for the full window, dust does not appear to be a problem. My borromline is to cover and never, ever wipe dry.

Ken Nolde N849KN 270hrs+