Strataglass and Pledge??

[jhovan]

All,

The prices for Strataglass cleaners and polish have entered the "strata" -sphere range.

Anyone have any experience with using a can of $3.95 pledge from walmart? The strataglass website says it will work for a while but will show "orange peel." I've also read somewhere not to use the "lemon" type.
Strataglass Care and Maintenance

I've been using starbrite polish which works well, but does not leave the surface resistant to dirt etc after a short while.

Can anyone recommend a substitute product or share experience using pledge on strataglass?

thanks,
John

[thinwater]

Don't do it! They are telling the truth.

I've done the long-term testing for Practical Sailor, and yeah, Pledge is a no-no. Yes, Imar is expensive, but they've got the competition buried.

Something cheaper? Try Star Brite ViewGuard. I prefer Imar, but this product is safe and effective. Much better than Pledge.

[Cotemar]

Camco 210 Plastic Cleaner and Polish works the best.
They also make a scratch remover.

[jhovan]

Starbrite is now advertising their "clear" cleaner for strataglass. They must feel it's safe. I found this product locally for around $10. https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_i...bsolutePage=21

[jhovan]

Cotemar, does that product leave a film to resist dirt? I'm not having issues cleaning the strataglass, but rather trying to keep a film to repel dirt etc. I can get it looking good, but it doesn't seem to want to stay that way for long.

[Jim Cate]

How about Rain-X? Would that work?

Jim

[jhovan]

ps. Cotemar, West Marine sells in a liquid too. Is the spray better or are both equally good?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=50270

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by jhovan

ps. Cotemar, West Marine sells in a liquid too. Is the spray better or are both equally good?

CAMCO 210 Plastic Scratch Remover at West Marine

I use both the Camco 210 spray polish and Camco 210 liquid scratch remover.

The 210 spray polish does not leave a film. I use the scratch remover only when a line hits the windows and leaves a mark.

[colemj]

Strataglass goes to lengths to dissuade the use of Rain-X. They claim it is very bad for their product.

Mark

[a64pilot]

There are many plastic windshield polishes for aircraft that I would assume work,
Having said that I used Pledge on Army helicopters for 20 years with no apparent ill effect that I could see.

[thinwater]

I currently have 40 test panels in the sun for long term testing. I have also used a number of these on my boat.

Starbrite Clear Step 2. Also good stuff. Step 1 is a scratch remover and you DON'T want that. Yes, you can buff vinyl, but it has many problems is something you ONLY explore when the trash is the other choise.

Rain-X. A big no. It makes a mess after 3-6 months.

Armanda 210. Good stuff, though I like others better. Safe.

Armanda 210 +. Sctratch remover. Very good, but for a different problem.

Scratch removers shorten the life of the vinyl. I've done the testing. They make the vinyl more porus, and unless you are committed to regular sealing (Imar cream or something like that) they will fog and crack sooner. Even with sealer, they are going to age sooner. You are smarted to ignor small scuffs where the dodger rubs. You won't see the change for 5 years or more, but the vinyl will age faster.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

There are many plastic windshield polishes for aircraft that I would assume work,
Having said that I used Pledge on Army helicopters for 20 years with no apparent ill effect that I could see.

True enough, but that is polycarbonate vs. vinyl with a polyurethane coating. Very different chemistry. Plastic is not plastic any more that aluminum is the same as iron.

[colemj]

Thinwater, these are Strataglass panels, or regular vinyl panels?

Mark

[Jim Cate]

Thinwater, could you please expand on your experience with RAin-X on vinyl?

I have used it on plain PVC clears when going to sea, and it helps keep salt deposits from building up when there is lots of spray. I wasn't aware of long term negative effects and I'm very interested in just what happens.

Thanks for your various efforts along these lines, BTW. It is refreshing to get some objective data rather than anecdotal opinion on such subjects.

Cheers,

Jim

[s/v Jedi]

Clean with soap, rinse & dry and then protect with RejeX