Dodger Windows

[Weatheredone]

For the second time my dodger windows are just about opaque. I've noticed other boats with dodgers just as old with much more transparent windows. Faced now with replacing them again, is there a particular window material that doesn't cloud over as easily?


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[bensolomon]

There is a pray that will uncloud them. I don't know the name, but I saw someone use it at the marina. I know that is useless, and I am sorry, but the stuff exists.


Ben Solomon
S/V Dawn 1989 37.5 hunter legend

[jongleur]

A guy on my dock saw my opaque dodger windows
and brought over this:

Gonzo Stain Remover | Best Stain Removal | Gonzo Products

He let me use it for about 10 minutes and my
windows are, if not quite like new, amazingly clear.

Doesn't take much and is super easy to use.
I'd been thinking I'd have to buy new windows or re-
make the whole dodger.

[bensolomon]

Great!


Ben Solomon
S/V Dawn 1989 37.5 hunter legend

[UNCIVILIZED]

Good to know/tuck into one's toolbox, thanks. And I'm glad that you got the problem sorted out for virtually naught $.

[J Clark H356]

Use stratiglas.


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[Sailor Bob 350]

Early hazing of dodger windows can be from using the wrong cleaning products. Ammonia is especially bad. Strataglass has a product they say must be used to maintain their warranty, and it works well. Plexis works well too, but some people say it damages Strataglass.

[highseas]

Meguires has a cleaner and a UV protectant.Best way to preserve the dodger windows is to cover when not in use.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Eisen Shine -

Practical Sailor just gave EisenShine it's 2014 Editors Choice award and it topped the competition in a head to head test of the 14 leading brands. I've used it and was astounded at how well it removed the Oxidation. The big bonus is that unlike everyone else on the market that tells you to re-apply every 4 months for UV Protection, Eisenshine's UV lasts for a year!

$60 for a kit that will do between 75-125 sqft.

[Gerrycooper56]

How about the stuff auto shops sell to restore opaque headlamps?


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[RTB]

I use Plexus. Not cheap, but does the job.

Ralph

[Weatheredone]

Thanks for the tips.
Gonzo makes other good products but I never thought of it for this.
I went to the Strataglass site. They make Strataglass 0.40 mm and another Clear vinyl a little less expensive. Has anyone used that to compare?


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[Drumroll30]

I use Pledge furniture polish on mine. Many say not to but I've been using it for 14 years now and my windows look fine. Also works well on plexi-glass mirrors, hatches, etc.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by J Clark H356

Use stratiglas.


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Actually, O'Sea from Osulivan (Regalite is their non-coated product) has the same attributes but is far more flexible in heavier weights. I've got racks of test panels set up, and this seems to be the product to watch. The same clarity, scuff resistance, and chemical compatibilities, from what I can see. Only 2.5 years into it, but if it is a step up from Regalite, it should be very good.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Drumroll30

I use Pledge furniture polish on mine. Many say not to but I've been using it for 14 years now and my windows look fine. Also works well on plexi-glass mirrors, hatches, etc.

Yes, the Eisenshine protectant is impressive.

Pledge will not hurt un-coated vinyl (Regalite, Kalglass, Crystal Kleer) but it has a bad record on coated products (Stratglas, O'Sea); both manufacturers void warrentees, because they have seen troubles.

The thing to remember about buffing out coated vinyl is that it is an all-the-way project. You have to buff the WHOLE window and have to remove the WHOLE coating. Otherwise it will be blotchy. After that it WILL also be more prone to fogging if you don't keep up with the protectancts going forward. If the haze is just plasticizer (sticky) on the surface and some dirt, clean well and buff with Imar; much less risky. The PS article went into the details and the disasters.

remember to test the product in a corner; one product ruined the window completely--solvents can be trouble.