plastic window dodger maint

[brodie123]

Hi All.

I hope this is the right section.

What's the best way to clean the plastic windows on a boat dodger?

Our front windows, that get a 'lot' of sun, ended up with a light brown film we can't get off. Where it's not brown, we have a white haze we can't get rid of.

The side panels are ok but I stopped washing them and I was worried that I was cleaning them wrong.

 

[robert graham]

I've used W-D 40 on a rag to clean clear plastic and plexiglas for years....works pretty darn well.....if the sun has yellowed it then it may be a permanent discoloration....

 

[Sprig]

Plastic will oxidize from sun, uv's and other environmental elements. Wd40 may clean them up and make them clearer but it is short lasting. Get an automotive headlight restorer kit. There are many out there but I have used Mcguires. I got mine at Walmart about $18. Completely oxidized headlights now are as clear as when they were new. I did that t about a year ago and they still look like new. In the kit is a protecterent that I apply every 6 weeks or so and keeps it like new. Takes about a minute to apply the protecterent Polish. You can use it on all types of oxidized plastics.

 

[Watermann]

It's clear vinyl most likely not plastic and it may be too late to save it if it was neglected for too many years. I used the 303 clear vinyl protectant on our work boats clear vinyl as maintenance to remove all the smudges and dirt also to give it some extra years without becoming discolored, hard and cracked from the sun. The 303 adds a nice layer of protection from the elements but it won't make damaged vinyl clear again as I suspect nothing will restore it.

http://www.iboats.com/Clear-Vinyl-P...980653--session_id.798564013--view_id.1388209

 

[Sprig]

Didn't realize they are vinyl. If they are vinyl I don't think anything will restore them.