Clear Plastic Cleaner

[The Dog House]

Before I order another bottle of Mequiars #18 Mirror Glaze clear plastic cleaner, are there any other clear plastic cleaners that anyone would recommend. Thanks for any info.

[Stripermann2]

Plexus. Plexus.Plexus...

[todd brinkerhoff]

+1 for Plexus. Although expensive. I then use 303 for the UV protection.

If you have light scratches McGuire's is pretty good and anything heavier you can use a finishing compound with a buffer.

[prowlersfish]

http://www.strataglass.com/strataglass- ... aintenance

[rossjo]

Plexus is excellent for rigid windshields, but should not be used on your flexible, clear vinyl "Eisenglass" or Strataglass.

We sell the factory OEM canvas for over 100 boat manufacturers and recommend (http://rnr-marine.com/Maintenance.shtml#Eisenglass):
Mild soap (preferably IMAR Yacht Soap Concentrate 401),
IMAR Strataglas Protective Cleaner 301,
IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish 302, and
Bio-Kleen® Qwik Shine

In fact, you will void your Strataglass warranty by using any other products.

For your Sunbrella, simply wash with a mild detergent and apply 303 Fabric Guard: http://rnr-marine.com/Maintenance.shtml#Canvas once or twice a year ...

[P-Dogg]

I used lemon pledge on my aircraft windshield for 17 years, give or take. An interesting comparison to Plexus can be found here:

http://www.stromtrooper.com/general-v-s ... rison.html

[The Dog House]

Does the strataglass have some kind of coating that the Plexus will remove? The Plexus website states it can be used on "vinyl windows". The clear vinyl windows in my canvas are very old and I'm pretty sure they are just plain clear vinyl. I'm also pretty sure they are not strataglass or eisenglass. Would it be o.k. to use the Plexus on plain clear vinyl or is that still a bad idea?

[prowlersfish]

strataglass is coated , . I won't use plexus after i read up on the strataglass info , but I know a lot of folks that do with no issue and swear by it

lemon pledge ? yes it has some of the same stuff as plexus but it still not the same . and aircraft windows are not the same as strataglass unless your talking a piper cub .

with that said i know people that use it and like it

[aaronbocknek]

i have used 303 for the past 3 seasons as it was recommended to me by my slip neighbor mike kulp. i've had excellent results with it.

[The Dog House]

I received an email from the makers of Plexus saying "Plexus is great on soft vinyl windows". Since I don't have strataglass I think I'm going to give Plexus a try and see what happens. I plan on doing the portions of the windows that are low and out of the way first. If that goes well, I'll move to the portions of the windows that I actually need to see out of. Let another experiment begin!

[rossjo]

Does the strataglass have some kind of coating that the Plexus will remove? The Plexus website states it can be used on "vinyl windows". The clear vinyl windows in my canvas are very old and I'm pretty sure they are just plain clear vinyl. I'm also pretty sure they are not strataglass or eisenglass. Would it be o.k. to use the Plexus on plain clear vinyl or is that still a bad idea?

Eisenglass or Isinglass are generic nick names for clear vinyl (actually PVC) (typically 0.030"or 30mil thick - often improperly referred to as 30gauge).

Strataglass is coated - and can be easily damaged by abrasives and chemicals. Its costs 30-50% (typically 30mil on smaller craft, 40mil on yachts).

Strataglass and all clear vinyl manufacturers recommend against Plexus, Pledge, Windex, etc. (and voids their warranty) - so use at your own risk. The products I listed above are safe and recommended by the manufacturers, so why experiment on your own vinyl?

Warning - Use of RAINEX, Pledge, or Plexus on Strataglass appears to work for a short time but then dulls the surface and presents an "Orange Peel" effect. Do not use any of these products.

"We recommend using IMAR Strataglass Cleaner at least weekly but it's so fast and easy you may want to do it daily."

Right!

If you pull your clear vinyl out of storage (always store hanging flat in a dry place) and it looks milky, you can try hanging it up and letting it dry - because vinyl absorbs moisture and it may improve. If not, try "IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish" ... otherwise your eisenglass will need replacing soon anyway. We replace a lot of OEM canvas/eisenglass every year because it is damaged by improper cleaning and storage (and UV). Local canvas shops will often replace your clear vinyl at 1/3-1/2 the cost of complete canvas if the canvas fabric is still in good shape. We do this in the off season (fall/winter).

http://www.strataglass.com/strataglass- ... aintenance
Strataglass Care and Maintenance

It is extremely important fabricators and vessel & car owners read and understand this information. We request fabricators provide owners a copy of this sheet.

> We recommend using only IMAR Products. IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish, IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner, and mild soap (preferably IMAR Yacht Soap Concentrate) on Strataglass. (We no longer recommend the use of any other products, regardless of the manufacturer's claims.) Use of harsh cleaners like Simple Green and/or pine will dull the curtains quickly.
Using any other product(s) void the factory warranty

> NEVER use a wash and wax product on Strataglass.

> Warning - Use of RAINEX, Pledge, or Plexus on Strataglass appears to work for a short time but then dulls the surface and presents an "Orange Peel" effect. Do not use any of these products.

> Use of cleaners, polishes, scratch removers, or any other product made for regular, un-coated vinyl will damage STRATAGLASS. Do not use these products

> DO NOT HANDLE STRATAGLASS (OR ANY VINYL) WITH SUNSCREEN ON YOUR HANDS! This will permanently cloud the vinyl where handled.

General Maintenance

When New: 3M Adhesive Remover may be used to remove glue left from fabrication. Final clean with IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner. We recommend using IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish as the final step in installation to provide a base of protection and good watershed.

For the customer: We recommend using IMAR Strataglass protective Polish every 1 to 2 months. In the interim, use IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner frequently.

Note: All new vinyl can easily get impressions in itself. We recommend new enclosures be left in place to the extent possible. If completely removed, enclosures must be interleaved with either acid-free paper (available from framing shops) or old sheets (the best choice) to prevent "pooling" in the glass, vinyl "seasons" over time and becomes less impressionable. Roll all curtains down and fasten in place nightly to keep perfect appearance. (Review at http://www.strataglass.com).

Cleaning: Flush thoroughly to cool the surface and rinse away environmental abrasives. Wash with IMAR Yacht Soap Concentrate, or other equally gentle and high quality soap. Do not use Simple Green, Orpine or any other harsh cleaner - they will dull the surface. Apply the soapy water to the clear vinyl section of the curtain with special purpose washing mitt or soft cotton cloths. Thoroughly rinse the soapy solution with fresh water and completely dry the curtains with a high quality chamois. (Swobbit.com makes several tools to make these tasks easier.) Your clear vinyl curtains should be washed whenever your boat is washed. After washing the curtains, apply IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish sparingly with small, light circular motions using a soft cotton cloth. Allow the polish to dry and then remove with a clean soft cotton cloth. Finally, lightly buff to a sparkling shine. Done. For routine maintenance between polishing, use IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner. Insure the clear vinyl panels are free of abrasives. Very lightly mist a soft cotton cloth. Lightly and briskly rub a manageable sized area and then lightly buff dry with another clean cloth. Done. We recommend using IMAR Strataglass Cleaner at least weekly but it's so fast and easy you may want to do it daily. You'll love the shine.

Restoring: We once recommended a restoration process but extensive experience shows actual damage cannot truly be repaired. If IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish cannot restore the clarity and shine, it may be time to consider replacing the enclosures. Please... Please...use our recommended procedures and products from the beginning.

Trouble Shooting: Please see our "tips for the fabricator" and our "trouble shooting" sections on our web site for a complete discussion.
IMAR Yacht Detailing Products: Contact IMAR Products, LLC at 703.330.4693 or info@imarsales.com to discuss cleaning requirements or comments about IMAR products. Or visit our website at http://www.IMARsales.com for a complete list of distributors.

Here is a good video on cleaning Sunbrella (then coat with 303 Protectant):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX5fMkxf ... r_embedded

[lawyerdave71]

I used lemon pledge on my aircraft windshield for 17 years, give or take[/url]

If its good enough for airplanes - its good enough for boats. And Yes, I do use it!!!

[Oxblood]

Don't waste money on Plexus. I used to use it to clean my motorcycle. Then I noted the mechanics at the local dealer using Pledge. That's all I use on my bike, and it works wonders on the metal as well as plastics. And it is a whole lot less expensive than Plexus. I'f use a good, neutral pH detergent to clean the plastic in your canvas. Rigid plastics, Pledge or similar.

[rossjo]

Its all up to you .... Plexus, Pledge, Rain-X and Suntan lotion are good for our business!

[The Dog House]

I picked up a bottle of IMAR Strataglass cleaner today. I plan on doing a comparison between the Strataglass cleaner and the Plexus. I'll post pictures so everyone can see the before and after of each.