Maintaining Sprayhood Windows

[timentide]

I have tried a search without success. Has anyone got any tips on keeping vinyl windows clear. Someone told me that they used furniture polish with success and that it kept the windows soft and saved them from cracking and yellowing. Has anyone any experience of this please?

 

[moody1]

Generally it's advised not to use any additions to warm soapy water, as any chemicals can tend to harden / crack the windows. The usual one that causes trouble is over-use of mould killers and sprays. Even washed of when any over-spray hits the window - later you get spots and cracking.

 

[MoodySabre]

I wash mine and polish them with car polish. Gets rid of the fog and keeps them clear.

 

[alan]

Article in May's PBO on this very subject.

 

[Marsupial]

Eventually the vinyl material degrades and goes cloudy, its not a surface effect the chemical composition of the material changes in UV light. I hasten to add I dont practise what I preach but I have heard that sun screen will extend the transaprency of the vinyl by filtering out some the damaging UV light in the same way it saves you skin.

 

[TeamSpirit]

Advocate the car polish treatment - brings them up a treat and protects from weather.

 

[tillergirl]

Just used Renovo window reviver. Very effective

 

[cashinone]

Could have done with all this advice. Ours were badly scratched so we replaced them and were amazed at the difference - as good as a new hood.

The advice to me from the cover maker was to use warm soapy water.

Its worked so far.

 

[demonboy]

I saw the workers for a charter company using Windowlene. Is this advisable cos I tried it and it worked a treat.

 

[Lakesailor]

Yes. Be careful what you put on. Mrs Lakesailor had an Alfa with a yellowing back window in the hood.
Recommendation in a car mag was to use Brasso.
Cleaned the window a treat, clear and scratch-free.

But it went brittle and the first frost we had it cracked right across when she closed the car door.

 

[Burnham_Bob]

yes - read the PBO article. We used the boatsheen product with some success - we can now see out of the sprayhood but of your windows are too far gone - ours almost were - you might think of replacing them - PBO article on that too in the previous issues (I think)

 

[johnpye]

Here's some useful background from the BoatSheen web site.
[ QUOTE ]

Why do vinyl windows go brittle, cloudy and yellow?

Clear vinyl windows are made flexible by plasticisers, slippery beasts that are easily leached from the surface. Solvents and unsuitable cleaners speed the process, leading to brittleness.

Cloudiness and discolouring are caused by dirt, microscopic scratches and contaminants that penetrate the very soft surface of the vinyl. Wax and oil cause cloudiness and yellowing, so waxy dressings should be rigorously avoided.

Deterioration of vinyl is accelerated by UV in sunlight, and unlike coloured vinyls, plastic windows have very little protection.

The solution is to remove scratches and contamination and then, most importantly, to protect the surface with a coating that inhibits loss of plasticisers and provides UV protection.


[/ QUOTE ]
It gives a clue as to why some of the solutions suggested above may not be too effective.