I just received new clear windshield for my 85 K100RS.  Does anyone have any experience applying exterior film as a protection against impacts or abrasives such as road debris, dust, dirt, etc., or does anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks,
Jim

Use a ceramic coating such as AvalonKing Armor Shield IX: ( https://avl.kg/pan25 ).  It will lay down a glass hard protective coating that will shed water and protect against UV.  The coating lasts about 5 years before a redcoat is required.  The link above offers $25 off the list price.  The Armor Shield product is the easiest DIY-to-apply ceramic coating you will find on the market.

robmack wrote:The Armor Shield product is the easiest DIY-to-apply ceramic coating . . .

Armor Shield IX is a translucent coating. That wouldn't seem the best option for a clear windshield unless transparency is expendable.

This enthusiastic guy is sold on Maguire's product; of course, enthusiasm is in his nature. Contrary to its title, the video is mainly about preventing the need for restoration.

The Youtube guy,  Pan the Organizer, demoed the product in several of his videos.  In each, he applies it to the glass parts of the car - headlights, windshield, windows, skylight -  with no hesitation.  Its important to make sure the surface you're applying it to is perfectly clean.  That's a wash, clay barring, and first stage polish before applying.  You apply the thinnest film on the surface and as soon as it starts to dry, you level the surface by buffing with a microfibre cloth.  The film thickness is minuscule so there is not going to be any optical distortion resulting from the ceramic coating.  You get a 30ml bottle which is enough to completely cover two normal passenger cars.  The film will protect the surface its applied to against all the debris the OP listed.

It's all clear to me now, robmack. 

  I can see clearly now the rain has gone ..  

I am "CLEARLY" confused.
So I am guessing I can try this on a piece of clear plexiglass and see if it clouds or lays down anything that would look bad on my windshield.  I will do that and report back.
Thanks,
Jim

That, or contact tech support at Avalonking through the website and ask questions.

AUBIEBMW wrote:So I am guessing I can try this on a piece of clear plexiglass 

After robmack made his bold assertion of the product's efficacy based on Vlad the Impaler's research, I emailed the company. Company representative Brittany speedily and cheerfully responded to my query that this juice will not obscure the view.

Testing it first is a sound precaution but your OEM windshield is unlikely to be plexiglass but rather something more sturdy and UV resistant. Regardless, following the application instructions exactly seems to be essential, and more complicated than applying Lemon Pledge.

Let us know if it has a pleasant aroma. 

What you have is acrylic(Plexiglass/Perspex, etc.) with a polyurethane clearcoat anti scratch coating.  Acrylic plastic is already very highly UV resistant so there is no need for additional protection and polyurethane is one of the most abrasion resistant materials that can be coated on a clear surface. The major source of windshield damage is from decomposing bugs(short term), Ultraviolet radiation to the clear coat(long term), and in many cases the damage is user inflicted by use of coatings that allege to "protect" the plastic, but in the long run play havoc with the chemical composition of the plastic material's molecular structure.

My humble suggestion is that you cover your machine when it is parked outdoors for extended periods, and become compulsive with immediately removing the dead bugs you have accumulated during a ride.  The best bug remover is simply a terrycloth towel that is dripping wet allowed to lie on the dead bugs for at least 15 minutes followed by a good rinse and a gentle wipe with a microfiber towel. 

The BMW owner's manual advises NOT to use coatings or treatments to the windshield, and to only maintain it with mild soap and water.  This is excellent advice and the wise owner will take it to heart.

Point-Seven-five wrote:. . .become compulsive with immediately removing the dead bugs you have accumulated during a ride.  The best bug remover is simply a terrycloth towel that is dripping wet allowed to lie on the dead bugs for at least 15 minutes followed by a good rinse and a gentle wipe with a microfiber towel.  

That's the heart of the matter, Aubie, when we live in the Land of Lovebugs, which I did when I lived near the Everglades before I moved to my current location in the Self-Righteous State. Floating them off to Valhalla as soon as possible seems to be the best method.

Is it love, or is it lust?

Do not use anything containing Silicon on your screen or instrument pod glass. I've been told that it can cause crazing over time.
Regards Martin.