De-icer on frozen shut acrylic sliding hatch?

[fredrussell]

I use my boat throughout winter and often have difficulty opening the acrylic sliding hatch when arriving at boat on a very cold morning, because moisture between hatch and it’s runners freezes them solid. Any reason why I shouldn’t spray de-icer on hatch runners? In the past I’ve taken a flask of hot water to free things up, but it’s a bit of a faff.

 

[VicS]

I use my boat throughout winter and often have difficulty opening the acrylic sliding hatch when arriving at boat on a very cold morning, because moisture between hatch and it’s runners freezes them solid. Any reason why I shouldn’t spray de-icer on hatch runners? In the past I’ve taken a flask of hot water to free things up, but it’s a bit of a faff.

Make sure the de-icer is compatible with the glazing material

Some solvents cause cracking of acrylic (and particularly polycarbonate)

If you expect to frequently want to get into the boat on freezing cold mornings you could rig some sort of cover ... like may people do to prevent their car windscreens being frosted

 

[LittleSister]

Lubricate the hatch and runners? This will reduce the ability of the ice to stick to them.

Consider a couple of strips of suitably shaped rubber moulding to leave in the gap between hatch and surrounding to deflect water away from it?

 

[prof pat pending]

As above, a smear of something like Vaseline on the rubbers will work wonders.

I used to have a Subaru with frameless doors, the windows would freeze to the seals, it was always a bit nerve wracking opening the doors on a frosty morning until I learnt to lightly lubricate the seals

 

[Monique]

.. my product would be bee’s wax... FWIW. Good luck

 

[LittleSister]

.. my product would be bee’s wax... FWIW. Good luck

First catch your bee. . .

 

[temptress]

Don't use concentrated solvents.. Smear some vaseline (yes it's pertolium based but kinder on the hatch) on the runners or use some tepid water...

 

[Graham_Wright]

or use some tepid water...

…………or even cold water. If it is liquid, it is warmer than ice and I presume there is lots around.

 

[Refueler]

The old one ... cars windows frozen up ... throw hot water on them .... watch them shatter in front of you !

Over here we have reasonably cold winters .... so its usual we get a spray can of Silicon to do our car doors ... Double glazed windows / doors on house etc. to stop them sticking.

I always forget to do the boat hatches ... then when I need to get in ... she's froze solid ! This year I remembered !! Sprayed the runners and hatches ... as well as cockpit locker .... so maybe this year I won't have so much trouble !!