Prolonging the life of plastic windows in the sun

[nicholat]

Our sprayhood vinyl windows are doing well after being in use for 8 years but are now starting to get cloudy in places. We can still see through them but it's a bit like looking through a slight mist. However the vinyl is still pretty supple and hasn't started to crack yet.

We always wash any salt off after a sail with fresh water but after our first full summer in the Mediterranean sun the cloudiness seems to have got worse.

Being frugal I reckon we can keep them going a few more years before replacement but I was wondering if there was anything we can do to clean and condition them for the sun. Does anyone have any recommendations for products that will firstly get the vinyl clean(er) and second are there any products that will help protect them from the sun - is there a sort of suntan lotion for vinyl? (we do use sunshades at anchor sometimes).

I don't know what the make of clear vinyl used for the windows is, I checked our invoice for when the sprayhood was made but it doesn't give specific fabric names or brands used.

Thanks

 

[Robin B]

There's a product called Vuplex which is excellent. Try Amari Plastics - they sell it.

It's superb. Spray on, wipe off.

It is an Australian product, and lasts for ages.

 

[Davy_S]

Not the answer that you want, you will not stop the sun from wrecking them! You can clean them, but you then need to cover them up when not in use. As an example,I have to tee cut my car plastic headlights regularly, or they go milky, even top dollar cars do the same, there are plastic headlight polishers all over the Med making coin before the MOT is due.
UV damages most marine products, even dark gellcoats. If you leave the boat for any length of time, drop the sprayhood, or put stick ons over the plastic.

 

[sailorman]

Our sprayhood vinyl windows are doing well after being in use for 8 years but are now starting to get cloudy in places. We can still see through them but it's a bit like looking through a slight mist. However the vinyl is still pretty supple and hasn't started to crack yet.

We always wash any salt off after a sail with fresh water but after our first full summer in the Mediterranean sun the cloudiness seems to have got worse.

Being frugal I reckon we can keep them going a few more years before replacement but I was wondering if there was anything we can do to clean and condition them for the sun. Does anyone have any recommendations for products that will firstly get the vinyl clean(er) and second are there any products that will help protect them from the sun - is there a sort of suntan lotion for vinyl? (we do use sunshades at anchor sometimes).

I don't know what the make of clear vinyl used for the windows is, I checked our invoice for when the sprayhood was made but it doesn't give specific fabric names or brands used.

Thanks

Try Stratoglas as fitted as std to Oysters with canvas covers made Dolphin Sails, it stays clear but is much thicker than the normal stuff that goes opaque

 

[Steve C Cronin]

Not the answer that you want, you will not stop the sun from wrecking them! You can clean them, but you then need to cover them up when not in use. As an example,I have to tee cut my car plastic headlights regularly, or they go milky, even top dollar cars do the same, there are plastic headlight polishers all over the Med making coin before the MOT is due.
UV damages most marine products, even dark gellcoats. If you leave the boat for any length of time, drop the sprayhood, or put stick ons over the plastic.

David, David, calm down! (We missed out Aghia Eufemia on the way back so see you next year!)

What you need is "Vybak" It was what all 60s & 70s sports car hoods used. We have a 41yo MG with an original hood that is still completely clear. It is still available in quite large sheets from "Woolies" (http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/p-1518-vybak-full-sheet.aspx)

We had our sprayhood "window" replaced with it seven years ago and it is still as clear as the new front bimini screen that we had made by Anthony Giatras at "Giatras Covers and Quantum Sails", the much revered craftsman in Gouvia, Corfu, last year using sheets of Vybak which we supplied. Anthony tells me that, following that, his first experience of Vybak, he now offers this material as an option on all his products. It is a bit more expensive but well worth it, believe me. There are New Zealand and Netherlands based products which also claim longevity beyond the standard PVC but I have no data on them.

 

[Steve C Cronin]

Our sprayhood vinyl windows are doing well after being in use for 8 years but are now starting to get cloudy in places. We can still see through them but it's a bit like looking through a slight mist. However the vinyl is still pretty supple and hasn't started to crack yet.

We always wash any salt off after a sail with fresh water but after our first full summer in the Mediterranean sun the cloudiness seems to have got worse.

Being frugal I reckon we can keep them going a few more years before replacement but I was wondering if there was anything we can do to clean and condition them for the sun. Does anyone have any recommendations for products that will firstly get the vinyl clean(er) and second are there any products that will help protect them from the sun - is there a sort of suntan lotion for vinyl? (we do use sunshades at anchor sometimes).

I don't know what the make of clear vinyl used for the windows is, I checked our invoice for when the sprayhood was made but it doesn't give specific fabric names or brands used.

Thanks

For ordinary vinyl/pvc, I have used a waxy car polish to advantage in the past. Something like "Maguire's or Turtle Wax "Extreme" for example but they need a lot of working in and very prompt buffing off.

 

[tcm]

David, David, calm down! (We missed out Aghia Eufemia on the way back so see you next year!)

What you need is "Vybak" It was what all 60s & 70s sports car hoods used. We have a 41yo MG with an original hood that is still completely clear. It is still available in quite large sheets from "Woolies" (http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/p-1518-vybak-full-sheet.aspx)

We had our sprayhood "window" replaced with it seven years ago and it is still as clear as the new front bimini screen that we had made by Anthony Giatras at "Giatras Covers and Quantum Sails", the much revered craftsman in Gouvia, Corfu, last year using sheets of Vybak which we supplied. Anthony tells me that, following that, his first experience of Vybak, he now offers this material as an option on all his products. It is a bit more expensive but well worth it, believe me. There are New Zealand and Netherlands based products which also claim longevity beyond the standard PVC but I have no data on them.

Ooh , tell us more about the MG but obviously in a boaty sort of way, perhaps mentioning how near to the marina it is located, the lack of A4 stainless, and how it dovetails excellently with a liveaboard yottie lifestyle perhaps cos it's not too mental fast cos it's got the Morris Oxford engine and not the eek V8 but nice and wind-in-hair, all that, please.

 

[Davy_S]

David, David, calm down! (We missed out Aghia Eufemia on the way back so see you next year!)

Yes, see you next year Steve! A few Sunsail yachts pinned in Agia Ef this weekend, weather has taken a turn for the worst, lost the internet a few times due to lightning,
I shall fit Vybac plastic headlights this year

 

[Steve C Cronin]

Ooh , tell us more about the MG but obviously in a boaty sort of way, perhaps mentioning how near to the marina it is located, the lack of A4 stainless, and how it dovetails excellently with a liveaboard yottie lifestyle perhaps cos it's not too mental fast cos it's got the Morris Oxford engine and not the eek V8 but nice and wind-in-hair, all that, please.

Sorry, 1275 RWA Midget(s), one for each foot. One owned almost from new, other bought because first one was pining. They live in the UK. One in London Docklands, the other in rural Leicestershire. Actually, in the marina we DO have neighbours with, a Big Healey, an XK 120 and a Morris Oxford Estate, not to mention a Subaru Impreza WRC..