Isinglass Restoration Help

[dcharna]

I have strataglass on my aft deck canvas panels. It is cloudy. I first tried a usual cleaner like plexis and although I did not think it would help, I did not want to get too aggressive with the first try. Next, I used a product like 210 that claims it takes out scratchs. This is the rub on and buff off stuff. This helped a little but I need to go one step more aggressive. Can anyone recommend a cleaner and technique?

Thanks for your help.

Dan

 

[wknd@bernies]

I use a product from Meguiars called "PlastX" can be purchased at any Autozone or like store. If needed a soft pad on a drill can be used. Nothing that runs too fast to burn the plastic. I do mine every couple of weeks and it seems to bring them back to new.

Bill

 

[fwebster]

Strataglass only recommends Imar cleaner and wax products on their panels. This is because Strataglass is a clear sheet with various protective coatings on the surface to protect the vinyl from UV, sctatching, etc. Other cleaners will dull the Strataglass by destroying the protective coating. Once the sheet becomes cloudy, there isn't much that can be done to save it, unless the cloudiness is just accumulated haze. In that case, the following cleaning guide may help:

http://www.strataglass.com/strataglass-care-and-maintenance

 

[CliffA]

I have strataglass on my aft deck canvas panels. It is cloudy. I first tried a usual cleaner like plexis and although I did not think it would help, I did not want to get too aggressive with the first try. Next, I used a product like 210 that claims it takes out scratchs. This is the rub on and buff off stuff. This helped a little but I need to go one step more aggressive. Can anyone recommend a cleaner and technique?

Thanks for your help.

Dan

i am not familiar with strataglass but maybe a tip i learned about plastic windows will help...i had all 5 of my plastic camper windows replaced last year...i did not store them properly and they got wet and turned cloudy....i thought they were ruined....i did some research and found and old post on some forum where someone stated using a hair dryer helped clear some of the cloudiness from their windows...i had nothing to loose so i broke out my trusty heat gun and went to work...sure enough the heat slowly removed all of the cloudiness...i had to really heat the window up to the point it became obvious the plastic was very limber, almost to the point of melting before the cloudiness disappeared...if you try to use heat be careful not to melt the windows....

cliff

 

[Lazy Daze]

I don't have experience with Strata, but also am not sure why it would differ from eisenglass... is the cloudiness uniform - or more "spotty"? Spotty can be from moisture (I suppose a uniform cloudiness could, as well, but it's unlikely if it's perfectly uniform). An easy cure for that is to simply lay them out flat in the bright sun for a day. You can test this with a hair dryer, if you're careful not to get it too hot.

Edit: 'Course, since Cliff is a faster typer than me, you could just follow his advice, as well!

 

[fwebster]

Dennis,

Strataglass is a different product than isinglass. It is a high grade vinyl that has anti yellowing, UV and scratch resistant coatings on the surface. The trick is to preserve the coatings at all costs because when they are damaged or destroyed with the wrong chemicals, you've paid the Strataglass premium for nothing, and cracking, crazing etc are soon to follow.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thanks, Frank. Since it's still a vinyl product (like eisenglass), is it still susceptible to moisture intrusion? Or is this pretty much a non-existent problem with the Strata (meaning it never really happens)? Again, I know it can be a problem with E, just not sure about the S.

 

[fwebster]

I've had Strataglass on my boat fore 15 years and have never had any clouding from moisture or anything else, and I'm in a pretty humid wet environment.

 

[dcharna]

Thanks all. When the boat is run, water splashes up onto the glass from the wake and probably the draft caused by the boat. I am sure that the previous owner did not take care of the glass as it should have been taken care of in a salt water environment. I will try the Inmar polish and see. If not, It is B.O.A.T. next year. Not sure I will stay with Stratoglass if it is so sensitive. What are your thoughts?

Dan

 

[Studman]

I have no idea which one I have on my boat ( just got it in oct)
how would I be able to tell if I have Strataglass or Eisenglass?
The po said everything ( full camper encloser ) was only 5 years old

 

[cod]

I've had Strataglass on my boat fore 15 years and have never had any clouding from moisture or anything else, and I'm in a pretty humid wet environment.

Wow! Are you saying you've had the same strataglass canvas on your boat for 15 years? What's your secret? Mine are only around 7 years old and I am in the process of replacing them due to the product becoming brittle and starting to crack