Here is some good reading about taking care of your Boat Curtians. Its from Boat Docs But I thought it would be good to post here.....Mark
Clear Vinyl Boat Windows
In this section we will give you the basic procedures we follow and recomend to keep your vinyl boat windows looking ship shape for years and even include step by step instructions on Clear Vinyl Window Restoration in case you are reading this too late.
Strataglass®, Lexan®, Plexiglass®, Crystal Clear, Eisenglass, etc.
Whatever the name it all comes from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which has certain definite characteristics.
1. Vinyl is a UV-sensitive material which degrades when exposed to sunlight.
2. A vinyl's topcoat holds in plasticizers, softening agents which keep vinyl supple.
3. Clear vinyl has NO topcoat. (The one exception to this rule is Strataglass, which has a protective coating. Unless otherwise noted, the advise in this article applies only to untreated clear vinyl and therefore excludes Strataglass.)
That's It! All you ever needed to know about vinyl boat windows in one easy lesson. Maintaining a topcoat and protecting against UV damage will keep vinyl looking good for years. Let up, for as little as a month, in our climate and, well, read on . . .
The sad truth is that all of those lovely, clear, vinyl windows, that you were so proud of when they were new, will yellow, scratch, and become an ugly nuisance in a very short time without proper care.
Q. What you mean Doc, you don't just hang um and forget um?
A. Who is that guy?
Unlike safety glass which has a fairly hard surface and resists scratching, a vinyl window requires a protectant to separate it from the elements. Think of it a little like your skin. With regular washing, sunscreen, and moisturizer our skin can take the Emerald Coast summer conditions without too much trouble. Eliminate one or more of these and stay outside 24/7 and we'll be looking 102 years old in no time, even if we're only 20.
At BoatDocs1 we first remove as much of the loose dirt as possible with a fine water spray. Next we gently wash the surface with a mild soap and water solution. (No detergents or harsh cleansers, please)
After rinsing with more fresh water and drying we use a protective product which is sprayed on both sides of the surface and then polished with a clean, dry, and well worn terry cloth towel. Old baby diapers are better but are becoming nearly as rare as DoDo eggs.
Application improves visibility and reduces wear and scratching by reducing the coefficient of friction. In laymens terms it makes it slicker than snail snot. It also repels water, dust, dirt, salt, and ultra-violet radiation. (SPF 40) Added benefits are an anti-fog/anti-glare finish.
In keeping with our company motto, "Only The Best Will Do" BoatDocs1 proudly announces the winner of our "in house" competition for the BEST Isenglass-Clear Vinyl Window protectant.
Note:
Over the past three and a half years BoatDocs1 has done extensive research and testing in order to discover the "Best" product for the maintenance of clear vinyl boat windows. We set up samples of new and used isenglass in an area where they received full sunshine most of the day and applied each of the formulas according to manufacturers suggestions. Through a process of elimination we came down to the one protectant which stood out from all the rest.
Today BoatDocs1 is happy to announce a winner of the competition, and our treatment of choice for all clear as well as colored vinyl.
It is our belief, based on our experience and that of others, that 303 Aerospace Protectant, manufactured by 303 Products is, to paraphrase their own motto, "Simply, The World's Best Product" for the maintenance of all vinyl fabric, especially clear vinyl boat windows.
Aside from the fact that their company motto strongly resembles our own, "Only The Best Will Do", It really is the best product for the job. A monthly treatment will keep those curtains looking like new for many years.
With their permission I'm going to present you with the companies claims which our own use and experimentation has borne out.
303 is THE LEADER in UV screening technology. 303 Aerospace Protectant really is like "SPF 40 Sunscreen For Your Stuff." Regular use gives 100% Prevention of UV caused slow-fade. No other "protectant" beautifies as intensely, protects as powerfully or lasts as long.
The World's Most Manufacturer-Recommended product:
Because of its enduring cosmetic properties, the resistance of 303-treated surfaces to dust, soiling, and staining, its water repellency and unparalleled protective characteristics, manufacturers worldwide recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant.
303 Aerospace Protectant keeps UV-sensitive materials “like new” year after year.
Use on Rubber: Tires, neoprene, latex, hatch seals, weather-stripping, waders, wet suits.
Vinyl: T-tops, and the clear vinyl windows, isinglass, marine seating, console covers, other covers.
Inflatable boats: Hypalon, PVC and urethane blends. Gelcoat fiberglass:
Personal Devices: Boats, sailboards, snowmobiles, jet ski’s.
Plastics/acrylics/polycarbonates: Lexan® and acrylic panels/windows/windshields/covers.
Carbon-fiber/resin composites: Fishing rods, “nude” bike frames.
Finished leather: Upholstery, trim, fine apparel.
Sailcloth: Dacron® and monofilm.
Recommended By The Best
The following manufacturers of the above products recommend the exclusive use of 303 Aerospace Protectant. FLEETWOOD, WINNEBAGO, THOR, NU-WA, ZODIAC, RIKEN, HYSIDE, SEVYLOR MARINE SPECIALTIES GROUP, G&T INDUSTRIES, AMCO CONVERTIBLE FABRICS, KAYLINE, BESTOP, COLGAN CUSTOM, SPORT MASTERS, DOWNEY PRODUCTS, WALT DISNEY WORLD, and more.
And now, last but not least, we add the name of BoatDocs1 to the impressive list of companies which swear by the results of 303 Products.
And What About Strataglass®?
At the beginning of this article I mentioned that Strataglass doesn't fit the general recommendations for regular untreated vinyl windows. The reason behind this is that it is treated, at the factory, with a special protective coating which if maintained in accordance with their recommendations will last the life of the fabric and prevent the chemical leaching which is the cause of problems for the untreated fabrics.
I don't want to get too far into specifics with this as they do have a website of their own and have care and cleaning advise which they offer their customers. If you have Strataglass® curtains on your boat I suggest going to their website at
http://www.webworksgroup.com/project...ta2/index.html and seeing just what they suggest for their product.
What if we're too late?
If your vinyl windows have begun to show the effects of aging, we apologize.(should have told you sooner) We have had varying degrees of success with a restoration process consisting of fine polishing and a chemical treatment. (replacement of the plasticizers) In many cases we can eliminate most scratches, restore the translucent properties, and with continued maintenance with 303 Protectant can add years to the effective life of your clear vinyl windows.
If you have vinyl windows which you are thinking about replacing you might want to considder the following treatment.
Clear Vinyl Window Restoration Procedure
or
How To Get The Glass Back In Your Isinglass
Overview:
This set of instructions is for windows with moderate scratching and crazing. If the scratches are very deep the process would need to be started off with wet sanding which is a subject unto itself and beyond the scope of this article.
What we want to accomplish here is to polish out any scratches, stains, imperfections, or swirl marks starting with a very fine compound and then finishing with a restorer polish to replenish the plasticizers in the vinyl.
Tools:
You should find all of these items at an automotive paint store. To start with you will need a variable speed electric drill (1000-1200 rpm) with a velcro backing plate which will accept foam rubber polishing pads. You will need 3 of the pads but an extra one will save some time when changing polish. Always reserve a pad for each compound or polish.
While you're there ask if they carry the fine, micro-polishing compounds made specifically for clear vinyl windows that you will use to actually remove the scratches. If the sales-person seems to know what they're talking about, pick his brain on what products he sells the most of for this purpose.
I have had excellent results with a 3-M product called "Finesse-it", which is used on both gelcoat and vinyl to good effect. If your trip to the automotive supply doesn't turn up anything better this will do the job and you can use what's left over on the rest of your boat.
Another product I recommend highly, is Meguiars, "Plastx" which is perfect for the finish (polish) runs with the pads. It also makes a good occasional cleaner and preservative throughout the year. It uses the Microscopic Diminishing Abrasive Technology, (MDAT), used in their paint and gelcoat polishes to produce a powerful, yet safe plastic cleaner. If the scratches are light you may get good results by using just this product and making a couple of passes with the buffer.
Procedure:
If you have some experience with polishing it's a plus although the technique used here is unique to the material and therefore will be learned as you go along.
Good reading about your Curtians
Linear Mode
