Cleaning Plastic Windows

Matwill

Matwill

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Hi Guys,

I have these windows that I inherited, I just tried the starbrit cleaner with limited results,

Does anyone have a suggestion for removing this scale from the plastic or do i just need more elbow grease?
IMG_20210819_074315591.jpg
 
I feel you might spend more time than it’s worth on those compared to replacing the panel as it would seem some form of degeneration has taken place and even using Astonish type clean etc might not work. Just take the hood off and have it replaced for Say round £100 or buy a piece of plastic from one of many refurb suppliers or say your local canvas maker ,watch the utube video and stitch in a new piece. You might also make a canvas cover with pop studs to cover up when not using to stop future damage.
 
If you choose to have a go at it before replacement, the absolutely best stuff I’ve used is Novus 1, 2, 3:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LL99T9W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It’s graded plastic polish. Start with No 1 and if that doesn’t work try No 2 etc. It advertises itself as ‘for acrylic’, but it also advertises dozens of other uses. With a drill attachment, I removed berthing rash from cabin windows and it will also take out GRP scratches (and scratches on iPhone screens etc). If it doesn’t fix your window, you may well find another use for it at some time - I certainly have. £20 on Amazon.
 
Toothpaste works but I found it a bit course. The best thing I found was CIF cream cleaner on a damp rag.
 
Personally I would get the plastic panels replaced. Should not cost very much. Then to keep them clear use a spray furniture polish like Pledge (not sure if available in Holland) once a year. That is what classic car owners use to keep soft top windows clear. My sprayhood windows are still clear after 8 years.
 
I get any amount of perspex I want out of recycle bins at a plastic sign manufacturer.

A piece one foot square is of no use to them and goes into the bin.
 
Concerto said:
Personally I would get the plastic panels replaced. Should not cost very much. Then to keep them clear use a spray furniture polish like Pledge (not sure if available in Holland) once a year. That is what classic car owners use to keep soft top windows clear. My sprayhood windows are still clear after 8 years.
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Pvc/vinyl sprayhood windows and acrylic are two different beasts. Fairy liquid and warm water will clean acrylic.

Toothpaste and any other abrasive will only remove the surface layer and optically will look shite. Abrasives do not clean.

Ink
 
Matwill said:
its not uv damage, its some sort of scale - ill give cif a go
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Your problem is commonplace for acrylic car headlights and there are lots of techniques and products for making them clear again. Google will tell you.
If opaque you start with wet and dry, 1200 or 2000 used wet with a little fairy liquid to help wetting, coarser grades like 600 will be faster but then you have to spend longer with the fine stuff to reduce the scratches, then progressive polishing using abrasive paste (T cut or similar) getting finer as it starts to shine. If there is any crazing of the acrylic do not waste your time, replace.

More ballox , the picture shows PVC so this is not relevant.
 
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I bet when they're wet they go clear , I'm not sure if it's the best solution but a quick spray with Wd40 makes them go clear for a while. Mine are the same all misty and I've tried to get them clear with poor results
 
Ink said:
Pvc/vinyl sprayhood windows and acrylic are two different beasts. Fairy liquid and warm water will clean acrylic.

Toothpaste and any other abrasive will only remove the surface layer and optically will look shite. Abrasives do not clean.

Ink
Click to expand...
I'm trying to work out what sort of material I got out of the signmakers recycle bin.

"Acrylic is the perfect choice when you want signs with a sophisticated, high-tech look. Highly durable and available in a variety of colors, acrylic is often used for illuminated, architectural, tradeshow and point-of-purchase signs. Lightweight, yet sturdy, aluminum is a great choice for outdoor signs".

"When you invest in a PVC sign, its durability gives you lasting value. Signs made from PVC are dent and scratch resistant. They can withstand high levels of moisture, making them great for outdoor use. The plastic holds color well, so constant exposure to natural and artificial light won't cause fading".

Any idea what the material I used for my rain deflectors was ? (It was brittle when I drilled it)
 
Most likey either acrylic or polycarbonate. If your are really unlucky it could be acetate.
If I fished stuff out of the bins, I wouldn't expect to have any confidence in any of the material.

Acetate is totally unsuited to anything other than for cheap signage.
Polycarbonate will go opaque really quickly in UV unless you have won a watch and got the really expensive stuff. Keep any cleaning material away from polycarbonate.
Acrylic should be used in marine environment. Unless you are experienced in plastics you will have difficulty in telling the difference with the above.

Regards
Ink
 
Ink said:
Polycarbonate will go opaque really quickly in UV unless you have won a watch and got the really expensive stuff. Keep any cleaning material away from polycarbonate.
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A number of manufacturers do produce UV resistent grades of polycarbonate for external use.So I would not write it off out of hand.
It does not mean that one needs to win the fastnet to get a Rolex watch either ;)
 
Ink said:
Pvc/vinyl sprayhood windows and acrylic are two different beasts. Fairy liquid and warm water will clean acrylic.

Toothpaste and any other abrasive will only remove the surface layer and optically will look shite. Abrasives do not clean.

Ink
Click to expand...
???? I never mentioned acrylic. The soft plastic window in the original photo is part of a sprayhood. The same plastic is used in the windows of car soft tops, hence my comment
 
Daydream believer said:
A number of manufacturers do produce UV resistent grades of polycarbonate for external use.So I would not write it off out of hand.
It does not mean that one needs to win the fastnet to get a Rolex watch either ;)
Click to expand...

Can you tell the difference between polycarb and acrylic? Can you tell a 'good' polycarb v a' cheap' polycarb? If the backing film is still intact you might have a chance of knowing, but if out of a gash bin, probably not.

Ink
 
Concerto said:
???? I never mentioned acrylic. The soft plastic window in the original photo is part of a sprayhood. The same plastic is used in the windows of car soft tops, hence my comment
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You offered a solution to clean pvc (soft plastic) using toothpaste. I don't think that's a good idea.

You have no direct knowledge on cleaning plastics. I have.

I mentioned acrylic as it is the most likely 'solid plastic' material used in boat windows.

Ink
 
Why are people talking so much about acrylic and polycarbonate when the windows in question are vinyl, or maybe pvc ?
Vinyl gets sunburnt and leaves all sorts of strange finishes when badly weathered. There is no fix, only replacement.
If you always leave your sprayhood up then the windows could be lexan (polycarbonate), which is very strong and glass like clear and can be sewn in.
 
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