Cleaning a motorcycle helmet visor is as essential as brushing your teeth! 🙂 Here is the ultimate guide on How to clean motorcycle helmet visors easily at home.
Here I will discuss the best way to clean motorcycle helmet face shields. Additionally, I will also importance of cleaning motorcycle helmets. Tools and materials required, Step by step helmet visor cleaning guide, Tips, and precautions with an additional alternative method to clean a motorcycle helmet easily.
I have been riding a motorcycle since I was in high school, recently I bought a Kawasaki Ninja and droved almost 15K km! I have so much experience in this field, when you go out for a ride, your motorcycle helmet visor absorbs a lot of dust, small insects, and small particles, so it’s very much essential to keep it clean before going on any ride. Before going to the how-to-clean motorcycle helmet visor section, let’s discuss the Importance of cleaning the motorcycle helmet visor.
Importance of Cleaning the Motorcycle Helmet Visor
Enhanced Visibility
A Clean visor is very much essential if your motorcycle helmet visor is not clean and your helmet visor can cause less visibility and it can lead to many serious things. So, always keep your helmet visor clean. sometimes I forget to clean my helmet visor before riding and I have to use my hand to wipe it. So, Don’t do it.
Improved Riding Experience
Riding with a clean helmet visor can help you and enhance your riding experience because you will get clear views and surrounding. and you will be less irritated with a clean motorcycle helmet than a dirty one while riding.
Road Safety
As said earlier a clean visor will improve your riding experience and comfort, and that’s why you will be less stressed and you can focus on traffic and obstacles, cornering, etc. So, it directly helps you and provides you with better road safety. You will be able to quickly identify potential hazards and car movement, so you can control your motorcycle easily! Hence you can avoid serious accidents and impacts.
Extended Visor Lifespan
Normally dirt and small hard particles in the air cause micro scratches on a motorcycle helmet. By cleaning it regularly or before going on any rides you can save your helmet visor from any further damage caused by small hazards and particles.
Preserved Helmet Quality
If you maintain and clean your motorcycle helmet visor very well then you can expect long-lasting helmet quality with optimum safety. While cleaning a helmet visor, sometimes you may need to open it fully and tighten it after that. So, it will ensure the visor connector is well connected and tightened enough! This will help save you from unwanted helmet visor noise and windblast problems.
Tools And Materials Required
- Screw Driver Sets
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
- Cleaner
- WD-40(optional)
You might be wondering why it should need screwdriver sets to clean a motorcycle helmet right? I guess yes! To clear this thing let me show you my helmet and you will understand why it’s required. There are many types of helmets available in the market. Some of them come without screw visor fitting and others come with it. So, if you want to clean a motorcycle helmet visor you must have a screwdriver set! which not only helps you to clean your motorcycle helmet face shield but also you can use it for your motorcycle and other work. If you don’t have any screws on your helmet still my advice will be to keep a screwdriver set.
Now, Let’s talk about microfiber cloths and my experience. let me share my experience first!! I mention that I bought a new kawasaki ninja and I was so dumb that I cleaned my bike visor and windshield with a normal cotton cloth! I thought it would not be a problem, but the next morning when I checked carefully the fairing panel and windshields got a lot of tinny scratches which are obviously not visible if you don’t look closely! but it does make scratches, then I immediately bought a bunch of microfiber cloths! The same thing happened with my motorcycle helmet visor! from then I use only microfiber cloths for every clean! whether it’s a visor or my Ninja. also, the microfiber cloth is very easy to use with any liquid cleaner. So, please don’t ignore this, get microfiber cloths.
You need a cleaner in order to clean a motorcycle helmet very effectively. You can use normal water and microfiber cloths by wiping them. But if you use helmet care tips that come with anti-fog, cleaner polish, and rain repeal. you will get all the motorcycle helmet cleaning and caring kit. So, it’s advisable to get a Motorcycle helmet care kit.
How To Clean Motorcycle Helmet Visor
Now here is the ultimate step by step by guide on “how to clean a motorcycle helmet visor” effectively.
Removing the Helmet Visor
To start the cleaning process the first step to clean a motorcycle helmet is to open the helmet visor safely.
- open the helmet face shield/visor and fully
- locate the release mechanism or the connector on both sides of your motorcycle helmet
- if your helmet doesn’t have any screws then you can follow company manuals to open your helmet visor by pressing and sliding. If you have already experienced it, then go ahead and open the visor with caution. Please make sure no sharp object is nearby! as it can scratch the motorcycle helmet visor easily.
- carefully lift the visor upward and take it away from the helmet.
- Now, this is very important! place the visor on a clean and soft surface to prevent any scratches! Personally, I clean my helmet on the bed or on a sofa.
Preparing the Cleaning Solution
If you already have a motorcycle helmet care kit, then you don’t have to do any extra work! You can use that, for those who don’t have the care kit, you can follow the below steps
- You need to fill a small bucket or basin with warm water
- Now you have to add a few drops of mild soap or shampoo to that warm water
- mix the water and soap/shampoo gently until its forms foam and soapy solutions.
Applying the Cleaning Solution
Now you have the cleaning solution ready! it’s time to apply the helmet visor cleaning solution.
- Dip a soft microfiber cloth into cleaning solutions
- Now you have to gently wipe the visor’s outer surface and please make sure you’re doing it the entire area. **Please also clean the visor’s inner area! because sometimes we open our helmets while riding and they absorb dust and particles on the inner side too.
- Check very carefully and pay close attention to any areas with dirt or bugs, wipe it gently if any.
- Please make sure you’re not using excessive force to clean the motorcycle helmet visor! it can lead to additional scratches and it will easily bend! will lose the structure.
Gently Cleaning the Visor
You can follow these steps to apply the solutions and clean the motorcycle helmet more effectively.
- if you have visor cleaning spray then you have to apply it over the visor with microfiber cloths and gently wipe it vertically and horizontally.
- after completing step 1 you have to do a circular motion wiping, it will cover any uncovered area.
- focus on areas that require extra attention! such as the front and the connector parts.
- After wiping it leave it for 1-2 minutes
Drying and Reinstalling
once you’re satisfied with your cleaning, now it’s time to dry and reinstalling
- You need a dry another microfiber cloth! you have to wipe it gently to remove moisture and any dust. that’s why I recommend you buy at least 5-10 microfiber clothes when you buy them.
- Allow the visor to dry air dry fully in a clean and dust-free area
- make sure the both inner and outer sides of the visors are dry. Before going to the 4th step let me introduce the WD40!
I’m sure many of us only use WD40 on rusting parts of our cars and motorcycles. you should use WD40 on your helmet too! let me explain why! In my case I have an Axxis and an MT helmet, both are having nuts on the mechanism area! and they are rusting after years of using them! so recently I applied WD40 on those areas(don’t overuse, just one or two sprays) and they look good and the mechanism is working very well after that!
So, before reinserting the visor with the helmet, you can use WD40 to protect the helmet’s internal small metal parts.
4. Once dry, align the visor with the helmet’s hinges
5. Insert the visor back into place and lock it securely
6. Test it very carefully! whether all the mechanisms are working perfectly or not! if you face any difficulty you can refer to the company manuals or ask any professional who can fix the visor problem.
Tips and Precautions for Cleaning
Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals
The most important part while cleaning the motorcycle helmet is to avoid using any harsh chemicals. Don’t use any normal soap which is having different chemicals and compositions. Because it can damage the visor with a lot of scratches. My recommendation will be to get a visor cleaning spray! it’s a one-time investment and you can use it for years!
Use Soft Microfiber Cloth
Already mention its usage! and my story! so, don’t use any normal clothes while cleaning your favorite helmet visor! buy microfiber cloths which cost very less and can be used for other cleaning purposes too. Don’t use any brushes while cleaning visors! I have seen a lot of articles of people advising small soft brushes to clean visors! A big no! Don’t use them.
Avoid Scratching the Visor
avoid messy areas while cleaning a motorcycle helmet visor! because any sharp or normal object can leave scratches marks on your helmet visor! clean it on a clean surface and a disturbance-free area.
Regular Maintenance
you need to clean it often! at least once a week! if ride frequently or at least twice a month! My personal recommendation is if you have time then clean it after completing a ride or before going for a ride.
And Most importantly you may not require to separate your visor from the helmet all the time! take time and inspect it whether it’s required or not! Because frequent visor separation from the helmet can cause mechanism problems, it will not work properly. Without separating the motorcycle helmet face shield or visor you can clean it, I often do it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I clean my helmet visor with household cleaners?
A: No, it is not recommended to use household cleaners on helmet visors as they can damage the surface or the visor’s anti-fog coating.
Q: Can I use paper towels to clean my helmet visor?
A: It’s best to avoid paper towels as they can scratch the visor. Instead, use a soft microfiber cloth or sponge specifically designed for cleaning.
Q: How often should I clean my motorcycle helmet visor?
A: It depends on usage and condition. Generally, it’s a good idea to clean the visor whenever it gets dirty or before long rides to ensure clear visibility.
Q: Can I use window cleaners or glass cleaners on my helmet visor?
A: No, window cleaners or glass cleaners may contain chemicals that can damage the visor. Stick to mild, non-abrasive soap or helmet visor cleaners.
Q: Should I remove the visor from the helmet to clean it?
A: It’s not necessary to remove the visor for cleaning. You can clean it while it’s still attached to the helmet using a gentle wiping motion.
Q: How should I dry the helmet visor after cleaning?
A: After rinsing off any soap residue, you can either pat the visor dry with a clean, lint-free cloth or allow it to air dry naturally.
Q: Can I use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process of the helmet visor?
A: It is not recommended to use a hairdryer or any other heat source to dry the visor, as it can cause damage. Allow it to air dry naturally.
Q: Is it necessary to remove bugs or stubborn stains immediately from the visor?
A: It is best to remove bugs and stubborn stains as soon as possible to prevent them from hardening and becoming more difficult to clean later on.
Q: Can I use a pressure washer to clean my helmet visor?
A: No, using a pressure washer can damage the visor or force water inside the helmet. Stick to gentle hand-cleaning methods.
Q: Are there specific cleaning products designed specifically for helmet visors?
A: Yes, there are helmet visor cleaners available in the market that are specially formulated to clean and protect helmet visors.
Q: How can I prevent fogging on my helmet visor?
A: Using an anti-fog treatment specifically designed for helmet visors can help reduce fogging.
Also, check
