Billows
Well-Known Member
What is the best method of cleaning them?You are meant to be able to see clearly through them right?
Sprayhood clear view panels
- Thread starter Billows
- Start date
Searush
Well-Known Member
You can when they are new, but, over the years, scratches & UV damage will make them opaque. The best solution, if the hood canvas is still in good order, is to simply replace them. This should be possible with a decent domestic sewing machine, but if in doubt any sailmaker or tent repairer (or even a decent curtain maker) will probably do it for you.
There are "magic potions" sold for rejuvenating the rear windows in car hoods that ought to do the trick, but how effective they are I do not know. I suppose it depends whether the UV damage is on the surface or not as I think that they either abrade/ polish the surface and or put a surface on that fills & covers scratches. Hopefully someone will be along shortly who has actually tried one.
There are "magic potions" sold for rejuvenating the rear windows in car hoods that ought to do the trick, but how effective they are I do not know. I suppose it depends whether the UV damage is on the surface or not as I think that they either abrade/ polish the surface and or put a surface on that fills & covers scratches. Hopefully someone will be along shortly who has actually tried one.
prv
Well-Known Member
Ours are difficult to see through after only two seasons. Not a problem for us as the hood sits on top of a proper glass windscreen.
Pete
Pete
Searush
Well-Known Member
Mine are still OK after about 4-5 years (I have one over the aft cabin as well as the main hatch). Not as clear as they used to be, but still OK to duck under out of the rain & keep an eye open for any threats of potential hazard. There's some light scratching, but no opacity.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
Pledge furniture polish cleans them up quite well.
Seashoreman
Well-Known Member
I revived my old sprayhood using Renovo products. They supply a plastic-window polish which certainly has freshened up mine, but maybe there are different types of material. Fortunately I can see over my hood if I stand forward of tiller.
VO5
Well-Known Member
Some of them, not all of them respond and clear up if polished diligently with Brasso on a yellow duster. The motion should be circular without undue pressure. Try a small corner and see how it goes.
alteredoutlook
Well-Known Member
if you want to do it yourself a tip is sew the new plastic to the sprayhood whilst the old plastic is still in place and then using a sharp knife cut the old plastic off (carefully!). This way the sprayhood does not get out of shape.
srm
Well-Known Member
If replacing use the heavier gauge clear plastic. I did mine and they are still clear and useable after 5 seasons - though I do take the hood off during the winter when the boat's not being used. I used the old windows as a template for the new as the top and most of the sides are inside the cover, then the bottom comes to the outside to spill water away from the seam. Use double sided tape to hold it together while sewing.