Stilllife
New member
Any ideas where to obtain the flexible window material?. I imagine it is the same stuff that's used in the back windows of sports cars. With thanks in advance.
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Spray Hood Windows
- Thread starter Stilllife
- Start date
bob26
New member
Evadne
Active member
In a recent post someone's sprayhood window had gone opaque after only a season. One respondent said to make sure you get UV and salt resistant boat material, not caravan-type stuff. I can't say from experience that there are two or more grades, but it would be worth checking with a sailmaker before buying from your local caravan shop. Most sailmakers will sell you any uncut material and the proper thread for any job, at a retail price, if you go and speak to them nicely.
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vyv_cox
Well-known member
Good advice. There are many different grades of transparent PVC, the best being almost as good as glass from an optical point of view. When I asked a good hood manufacturer to quote me for a replacement for my old one, he laughed aloud at the quality of materials used for the windows in it.
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steve_cronin
N/A
The original sports car material is called \"Vybak\"
...It is VERY expensive compared to the transparent PVC (although that is available in standard & UV resistant grades)often used with sprayhoods and doesn't like being kinked or folded but it stays clear for a very long time. However, sometimes it gets a white misting but this can be cleaned off using car wax polish. Another disadvantage for boat use is that it comes in relatively narrow sheets (around 18 inches as i remember) which can be too small for some sprayhoods. A Newbridge Venturer I owned up until ten years ago had the hood replaced just before I sold it and we used vybak for that
I have two 30 year old MGs in my garage, both with the original hoods and the back windows, made of Vybak, are as clear as crystal.
No idea where you could get it from but I bought mine from Swann's vehicle trimmers ( also known as Autotrim) in Leicester.
<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion
...It is VERY expensive compared to the transparent PVC (although that is available in standard & UV resistant grades)often used with sprayhoods and doesn't like being kinked or folded but it stays clear for a very long time. However, sometimes it gets a white misting but this can be cleaned off using car wax polish. Another disadvantage for boat use is that it comes in relatively narrow sheets (around 18 inches as i remember) which can be too small for some sprayhoods. A Newbridge Venturer I owned up until ten years ago had the hood replaced just before I sold it and we used vybak for that
I have two 30 year old MGs in my garage, both with the original hoods and the back windows, made of Vybak, are as clear as crystal.
No idea where you could get it from but I bought mine from Swann's vehicle trimmers ( also known as Autotrim) in Leicester.
<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion
simonbertie
New member
Try Kayospruce in Hampshire uk. They supply the trade manufacturers and makers of hoodsetc. They sell the lot and a comprehensive catalogue is free .Ive used them several times ,always top service and quality gear.
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sailorman
Well-known member
LOOK ON THE "STRATAGLASS" WEB SITE.
i have just had a replacement hood from Gowen-Ocean ( GO Sails) west mersea essex
the have done a brilliant job & used strataglass, crystal clear, scratch resistant but not cheap.
tel 01206 384412
e-mail sales@gosails.com
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i have just had a replacement hood from Gowen-Ocean ( GO Sails) west mersea essex
the have done a brilliant job & used strataglass, crystal clear, scratch resistant but not cheap.
tel 01206 384412
e-mail sales@gosails.com
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