Hatches starting to craze

[RichardTaylor]

We have BOMAR hatches on our 30 month old boat and they are already starting to show early signs of crazing.

We have now fitted covers to prevent further UV (I am assuming it is UV) attack when away from the boat, however is there any way to protect the hatches further with a coating/sealant/wax which will (a) help prevent further crazing and possibly (b) fill/reduce the existing crazing?

 

[single]

We have BOMAR hatches on our 30 month old boat and they are already starting to show early signs of crazing.

We have now fitted covers to prevent further UV (I am assuming it is UV) attack when away from the boat, however is there any way to protect the hatches further with a coating/sealant/wax which will (a) help prevent further crazing and possibly (b) fill/reduce the existing crazing?

What boat is it? I would be straight on to the manufacturers (boat).

 

[charles_reed]

We have BOMAR hatches on our 30 month old boat and they are already starting to show early signs of crazing.

We have now fitted covers to prevent further UV (I am assuming it is UV) attack when away from the boat, however is there any way to protect the hatches further with a coating/sealant/wax which will (a) help prevent further crazing and possibly (b) fill/reduce the existing crazing?

Assuming the boat is in the UK - I'd be straight on to the importers - my Lewmar started to craze in the UK after 12 years and I changed the acrylic. I've had a cover ever since and even in the Med, after 15 years there's no appreciable crazing.

 

[ditchcrawler]

When I bought my boat one of the lewmar hatches was crazed.The surveyor from Felixstowe told me that previously he had condemned crazed hatches, however he took one out and tried to destroy with a sledge hammer and failed.His conclusion was that it is generally cosmetic.Not to say that it should be crazed after such a short period.Mine was 20 years old.I now have hatch covers.

 

[TradewindSailor]

You hatch glass is probably acrylic. It should definitely not be crazing due to UV in only 30 months. However, acrylic and polycarbonate are very susceptible to crazing from solvents and other strong chemicals. Even the ammonia in normal glass cleaning sprays should not be used. Only use a mild detergent and fresh water when cleaning. Definitely DO NOT use waxes and polishes unless they explicitly state that they can be used on acrylic.

If you have a mild crazing you could remove it with a plastics polish .... a very fine grit that wears away the top surface. In the unlikely even that the hatch glass is polycarbonate the polish will wear away the surface UV protection, so is only a short term measure.