What product to clean plastic windows?

[Expidia]

I Google'd around and found a thread on cleaning plastic windows.

The consensus seems to be to use a product called 210.

My enclosure is two seasons old and I've never cleaned it. I figured the less I clean it, the less chance of making circles and swirls that are going to be annoying in the sun. But it has some water spots/ mineral residue building up from freshwater spray.

I fold it up loosely and keep the windows and the front part in a bag I had the canvas shop make for me for storage. I don't want dirt or minerals to mar it up.

I plan to wash it with mild soap and hose off first and then use some type of cleaning/protectant product.

Glad I read this thread because my first thought was to use diluted vinegar to remove the mineral build up from spray. But some have used ammonia or pledge and that might not be good for it either.

Any thoughts. Any experience with 210?

http://my.boatus.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56226&get=last

Thx

 

[dingbat]

Re: What product to clean plastic windows?

I have an Einsenglass enclosure and need to clean it very time out because of salt build-up.

I use Plexus a couple a time a years and use fresh water and a soft brush between applications.

 

[Expidia]

Re: What product to clean plastic windows?

I have an Einsenglass enclosure and need to clean it very time out because of salt build-up.

I use Plexus a couple a time a years and use fresh water and a soft brush between applications.

These are soft plastic windows. Isn't Eisenglass the harder stuff?
I saw some used Plexus as it was mentioned in that thread, but thought it was for the harder stuff.

 

[CAVU V]

Re: What product to clean plastic windows?

I read in a boating magazine a few years ago to clean it with mild soap and a sponge and then use Lemon Pledge to put the oils back into it. Been doing it ever since and it always looks good.

Dale

 

[Expidia]

Re: What product to clean plastic windows?

I read in a boating magazine a few years ago to clean it with mild soap and a sponge and then use Lemon Pledge to put the oils back into it. Been doing it ever since and it always looks good.

Dale

I saw that Pledge thing mentioned in that thread but some said the oil is not good for the vinyl and will cause premature cracking.

I'll call the canvas shop today who made the enclosure up for me and ask them since they have been in the business for over 20 years.

Thx for your replies.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What product to clean plastic windows?

These are soft plastic windows. Isn't Eisenglass the harder stuff?
I saw some used Plexus as it was mentioned in that thread, but thought it was for the harder stuff.

Are yours vinyl? If so, it says right on the can that you can use Plexus on vinyl

 

[Expidia]

Re: What product to clean plastic windows?

Are yours vinyl? If so, it says right on the can that you can use Plexus on vinyl

I guess they are vinyl. Just spoke with my canvas guy and he uses products from a company called 303. He puts their fabric spray on the Sunbrella fabric too.

I guess they have many products for various apps.

This one seems to be the one for vinyl windows:
http://www.303products.com/tech/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=428

They also have a fabric protector for Sunbrella type fabrics:

http://www.303products.com/tech/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=70

 

[Expidia]

Re: What product to clean plastic windows?

Water, a soft sponge and lots of elbow grease.

Ya, I know how to clean it. Actually, I still have this liquid stuff by Classic that's over 30 years old and I used to use it on the back windows of my car's convertible tops. It's amazing stuff. It used to take a blurry, yellowed window and with a rag an a little elbow grease the plastic window would come out perfectly clear again.

Then the car's switched to a glass or hard plastic type window for the convertibles.

I'm more concerned for some type of protectant because all the windows fold up and rub against each other in the bag. I'd hate to have to fold each one into a thin towel each time I put them away. especially, if it's a windy day.

Don't want to get too anal about them. But the stuff I have in a can is a very fine cutting agent which renews beat looking vinyl windows and my current windows are still looking pristine so I don't want to take a chance and swirl them. This stuff is a cleaner only anyway not a protectant. The newer agents have UV protection to reduce the yellowing aging effects.

So I have it down to 303, Pleaxas and 210.

I don't want to order anything online yet until I read a little more feed back on these products or others.

 

[Expidia]

Re: What product to clean plastic windows?

I posted this update on another boating site because they gave me a lot of feedback on my same questions as some of you did here also:

This was my update:

Thx for all the replies . . . I was in west today and had the aerosol spray can of Plexas in my hand. They wanted $19.99 so I put it back. West with their rip off prices should go bankrupt for all I care.

To hold me off for now and give me some protection, I bought an 8 oz pump spray of Mequiar's Mirror Glaze Clear plastic Detailer from them for another rip off of $11.99.
Meguiars makes quality products at least.

Then I was in Walmart and of course they had a similar Meguiars clear vinyl protector in an 8oz pump for $5.95. With me it's not the price, it's the principle. Especially, since the boating world is getting hit hard in the midst of this recession I'm amazed to see the prices west Marine trys to fleece us out of. I'm well aware boating is not a cheap sport (tell me about it).

When I was cleaning them, of course I found a small hole in one of the windows from where the boat must haved rubbed up against the dock even though I used fenders and extra throw cushions last sat while docked for lunch.

So I swung by the canvas shop and he said to make up another window it'll cost me $100. Well there goes another $100 (sigh) I told ya this sports not cheap. But I don't care, it was my fault and I like to keep everything pristine, so I said to make another one up. I'd rather pay him $100 for a custom window than give West that $19.99 for a spray can!

I'm going to place an online order somewhere for Plexas, the 210 and 303 for the plastic windows and try them all out (some web sites sell sample sizes too). I need a bottle of the 303 fabric cleaner anyway for my Sunbrella enclosure and I'll get their fabric protector too.

A few hours ago I went over all the plastic with the Mirror Glaze, buffed them out with a micro fiber towel and they look like glass again. Rolled all away with some thin terry towels and they are back in the storage bag for using this coming Sat on Lake George, NY.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback!

All those bottles will be about 1/2 the price online as to trying to give any of these brick and mortor stores any business.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: What product to clean plastic windows?

You are close to Albany..... go into any motorcycle dealership and see if they carry plastic polish. I am pretty sure Troy Garage carries it. I was in your neck of the woods yesterday ALL day and the Hudson looked real good. Saw a few boats fishing.

 

[Expidia]

Re: What product to clean plastic windows?

You are close to Albany..... go into any motorcycle dealership and see if they carry plastic polish. I am pretty sure Troy Garage carries it. I was in your neck of the woods yesterday ALL day and the Hudson looked real good. Saw a few boats fishing.

Ya, there is a big market for the plastic stuff because of Cycle windshields and most new car headlights.

On the Hudson. There are many boats on it now since the stripers start running these first two weeks and they can only get up as far as the Troy lock. A little over an hour South of Albany is the Kingston and Newburg areas. 100's of small boats will be there daily as that seems to be right on top of the stripers.

The Hudson's great. If we don't spend the weekend on Champlain we do a day on Lake George and the next day on the Hudson. I love this area for boating. All the fun with none of the salt

When my canvas guy makes up another window for me since the hole is near the bottom I'm going to have him make me up a storm curtain and he can use the old window. Same time I'll have him make me a bow cover for those sudden 3-4 footers I sometimes get trapped into on my way back from Burlington back over to Valcor Island on the NY side.

Amazing how fast the conditions can change on Champ.

The storm curtain will work out well waiting out a storm in a sheltered cove. But the bow cover if I'm caught underway will save a few of those big waves from washing over my open bow. It's about a 10-12 mile trip and things change fast. We also hang out on the docks at Burton Island on nice days and that too can become a long way from Plattsburg when I need to get back. I'd rather sleep in a cove than risk the crossing in my small rig.