Canopy windows

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wheneverIcan

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Does anyone know of a good way to protect canopy windows from frost.
I have found that in past boats the windows crack or go very brittle when they freeze - was this just cos they were old or was there something I colud have done about it.

Cheers
Simon
 
Probably because they're getting towards the end of their life. They poly fabric that they're made from has UV protection to a degree. The next stage of the ageing process is the yellowing stage, if you haven't already got to it. How old is the canopy?

Yeah! I know its running rough, but your lucky its running at all!!
 
well that was on a 7 year old boat. I now have one which is only 7 months old and wanted to keep it in good condition as far as possible. The boat is not coming out for the winter so will be exposed during the frosts.
If you are saying that the new plastic will keep its condition for a few years naturally then at least that is of some reassurance.

Cheers
Simon
 
If they're only seven months old they should still have a blueish tinge to them. The best way is not to let the frost form on them, altho this really doesn't do too much damage. The real killer of the poly is UV light. If storing the boat over winter with the cover up its beat to cover it in a tarp to keep the weather off of it, but let it breathe. Keep the green stuff off and don't let the resin/sap from trees sit on it for too long. If you've got a conopy made from acrylic canvas rty not to leave it folded too long as this will "crack" the proofing. It is basically a coating the stops the weave of the acrylic getting wet. It works by not letting the surface tention of the water "breaking" so it forms droplets. Where as natural cotton canvas actually absorbs water into the fibres and makes them swell.
Erm don't know what else to say really, keep it clean, let it breathe, dont use strong detergents, and if its made of vynil or Trimproof, forget everything I've said!!

Yeah! I know its running rough, but your lucky its running at all!!
 
There's a variety of cleaning/polishing products on the market. But please don't go to the chandlers and pay through the nose for them. One of the best is sold through motorcycle shops for polishing plastics. At around 8quid its far cheaper then a certain other product that was test in the mags recently. That is of course if the discolouration is on the surface. If its due to age/chemical reaction its probably easier to replace it. The window was probably high frequancy welded. Its not a major job in itself to replace it, but getting the rag top of can be!

Yeah! I know its running rough, but your lucky its running at all!!
 
Porsche do a special polish / cleaner for their converatbles rear windows, you don't need to use a lot, it does a superb job. I have a full bottle, if you want to try some perhaps I can send you a sample in a small container to try. let me know. I can't remember how much the whole bottle was, perhaps £8, you may just want to get a full one and keep it for yourself. I am sure that Porsche would only use good decent stuff, but I am also sure it is made by some other company and their name togather with a few quid aded on.

Pete
 
Umm, I had a rag topped Porsche once, until I got a quote to have the Mohair hood replaced and that was just for the fabric, labour would be supplied by my own workforce! The stuff you are talking about is or was made by 3M. Its basically a very mild cutting/rubbing compound. Good stuff and if I remember rightly is the same as the stuff sold under the marine banner as well, altho don't qoute me on that!
 
There is a product advertsied in classic car mags that I keep meaning to send off for. It is soley for car and I pressume boat plastic screens.
 
Wey hey...

a Boater who thinks ownig a Porsche is expensive....

I reckon you get 2 new mohair hoods (includig new panels) for the cost of a Bimini for a T37?? What think you??


<font color=blue>I was invisible too once
 
Mohair Hood for a 280SL 4 years ago - £325 + VAT


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/forbsie>My Project Pics</A>
 
Owning the porsche wasn't expensive, I've still got one for a runaround. It was the cost of the Mohair that was abit pricey. Not the ceapo stuff that the car makers use either.
Bimini for a T37! I haven't got a pattern for one. Done a full camper on a Regal not so long ago for the 800 quid mark including the stainless. Depends what you want it made of!
 
At the risk of drifting this thread back on to the original question, on our Mirage we had little covers that clipped over all the clear windows using press studs. In the winter just pop them on and they kept all the grime and crap off the clear plastic. They were made from the same stuff that the canopy was made of and worked a treat. Looked OK too, but then in the winter who cares what it looks like and if you take the boat out on a cold winter's day, a 2 minute job to just pop the press studs off and Robert is your father's brother.
 
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