Looking for recommendations on what to use to clean and protect they clear window panels on my dodger. I have never had a dodger before and have no clue as to what others have found to be good products. Thanks
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210
Lots of people have ther favorites including Pledge and other common store-bought items which eventually will age and yellow the plastic. The dodger makers around here who should know what's best seem to all agree that 210 mfg'ed by Sumner industries is the only safe and effective product. The marine stores also sell products like Plexus and other brand name plastic cleaners which may also be good but I never heard the dodger makers recommend these.
Lots of people have ther favorites including Pledge and other common store-bought items which eventually will age and yellow the plastic. The dodger makers around here who should know what's best seem to all agree that 210 mfg'ed by Sumner industries is the only safe and effective product. The marine stores also sell products like Plexus and other brand name plastic cleaners which may also be good but I never heard the dodger makers recommend these.
If it's new...
check with the manuf/supplier. I was told that Stratoglas (most common clear stuff) changed their warranty policy and the use of anything except some particular product voids the warranty. I forgot what they want you to use, but it's probably at their website and/or your supplier should tell you. Of course, my question is how do they know what I use?
check with the manuf/supplier. I was told that Stratoglas (most common clear stuff) changed their warranty policy and the use of anything except some particular product voids the warranty. I forgot what they want you to use, but it's probably at their website and/or your supplier should tell you. Of course, my question is how do they know what I use?
windex product
Dracket (Windex) makes a spray product specifically for plastic/vinyl products. It has the Windex logo on the bottle but the stuff is a milky thin liquid so it isn't anything like common blue windex. The key play is to spray it on and wipe it with a SOFT cloth until dry. I have used this stuff on my dodger for 6 years now and except for some physical damage (scratches, scrapes, etc) the plastic is clear and supple. I am replacing the dodger this year with a new dodger and complete enclosure but I'll probably stick with the Windex product unless there is a better chemical to replace it with. The current dodger manufacturer made the point that the window material is made from the same stuff as the Sunbrella is. Strato Glass is something else so I may look into something other than the Windex product. Mike
Dracket (Windex) makes a spray product specifically for plastic/vinyl products. It has the Windex logo on the bottle but the stuff is a milky thin liquid so it isn't anything like common blue windex. The key play is to spray it on and wipe it with a SOFT cloth until dry. I have used this stuff on my dodger for 6 years now and except for some physical damage (scratches, scrapes, etc) the plastic is clear and supple. I am replacing the dodger this year with a new dodger and complete enclosure but I'll probably stick with the Windex product unless there is a better chemical to replace it with. The current dodger manufacturer made the point that the window material is made from the same stuff as the Sunbrella is. Strato Glass is something else so I may look into something other than the Windex product. Mike
Depends on what windows you have?
If they are the cheap uncoated windows then using 210 is fine. If you have the thicker, clearer no distortion windows made by Strattaglass you'll want to use nothing but Imar Strataglass Cleaner / Protectant. The use of anything else on Strataglass will void the warranty. I've included a link to the Strataglass site where they discuss this "see related link". Don't cheap out on a dodger window cleaner the cost to replace them can run $1000.00.. I can get my Strataglass windows to last 6+ years with no distortion and like new clarity using the correct cleaner! My dodger guy loves it when people cheap out on dodger glass cleaners! It makes him lots of money! He's seen people ruin the glass on a 10K canvas job it three weeks because they didn't want to spend the extra $15.00 on the right cleaner. The glass in the picture in the link below was three year old Strattaglass cared for correctly.. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/image/53860858.jpg
If they are the cheap uncoated windows then using 210 is fine. If you have the thicker, clearer no distortion windows made by Strattaglass you'll want to use nothing but Imar Strataglass Cleaner / Protectant. The use of anything else on Strataglass will void the warranty. I've included a link to the Strataglass site where they discuss this "see related link". Don't cheap out on a dodger window cleaner the cost to replace them can run $1000.00.. I can get my Strataglass windows to last 6+ years with no distortion and like new clarity using the correct cleaner! My dodger guy loves it when people cheap out on dodger glass cleaners! It makes him lots of money! He's seen people ruin the glass on a 10K canvas job it three weeks because they didn't want to spend the extra $15.00 on the right cleaner. The glass in the picture in the link below was three year old Strattaglass cared for correctly.. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/image/53860858.jpg
I just got off the phone
from speaking with my dodger/enclosure builder and he highly recommends the Imar products. I think that Acoustic has it right when he says that if your're gonna' drop a load of money on the dodger a few more bucks for the protectant is money well spent.
from speaking with my dodger/enclosure builder and he highly recommends the Imar products. I think that Acoustic has it right when he says that if your're gonna' drop a load of money on the dodger a few more bucks for the protectant is money well spent.
Steve, I'll Agree with Don
M210 is readily available around here. I usually get it at Boater's World because it's cheaper. One of the best canvas companies is nearby here and they always recommend M210 spray. If it isn't already yellowed or scratched, then give it a try. If it is yellowed then it may be too late. (The yellow is due to algae growing within the glass). I have used it for 14 years on my dodger and the windows are nearly as good as new. There is a complementary product as a paste (P210) that is a very mild abrasive and is used to remove tiny scratches in the glass. It too, is great and highly recommended. M210 will restore the oils to the vinyl as well as clean and wax the glass. I do mine twice a year. Some people will swear by Pledge, but is really doesn't work that well. It is not UV protective and will yellow.
M210 is readily available around here. I usually get it at Boater's World because it's cheaper. One of the best canvas companies is nearby here and they always recommend M210 spray. If it isn't already yellowed or scratched, then give it a try. If it is yellowed then it may be too late. (The yellow is due to algae growing within the glass). I have used it for 14 years on my dodger and the windows are nearly as good as new. There is a complementary product as a paste (P210) that is a very mild abrasive and is used to remove tiny scratches in the glass. It too, is great and highly recommended. M210 will restore the oils to the vinyl as well as clean and wax the glass. I do mine twice a year. Some people will swear by Pledge, but is really doesn't work that well. It is not UV protective and will yellow.
Paul 210...
Is okay for NON COATED dodger windows but not for the more expensive Strataglass windows. Strataglass has a coated surface to create the clarity and get rid of the distortion. 210 will eat this coating and ruin Strataglass! I've seen it! I works great on standard windows but not on Strataglass and the price difference between the Imar and 210 is minimal. What may be good for your windows may not be good for the other guys that's why I said "It depends on what type of windows you have" and accoriding to the OP it appears he has Strataglass other wise I'm sure the canvas maker would have just said to use 210....
Is okay for NON COATED dodger windows but not for the more expensive Strataglass windows. Strataglass has a coated surface to create the clarity and get rid of the distortion. 210 will eat this coating and ruin Strataglass! I've seen it! I works great on standard windows but not on Strataglass and the price difference between the Imar and 210 is minimal. What may be good for your windows may not be good for the other guys that's why I said "It depends on what type of windows you have" and accoriding to the OP it appears he has Strataglass other wise I'm sure the canvas maker would have just said to use 210....
Straight from the StrataGlass web site
NEVER use a wash and wax product on Strataglass. After September 30, 2004, using any other product(s) void the factory warranty Warning *Use of RAINEX on Strataglass appears to work for a short time but then dulls the surface and presents an "Orange Peel" effect. Do not use RAINEX. *Use of cleaners, polishes, scratch removers, or any other product made for regular, uncoated 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. 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.
NEVER use a wash and wax product on Strataglass. After September 30, 2004, using any other product(s) void the factory warranty Warning *Use of RAINEX on Strataglass appears to work for a short time but then dulls the surface and presents an "Orange Peel" effect. Do not use RAINEX. *Use of cleaners, polishes, scratch removers, or any other product made for regular, uncoated 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. 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.
It is so typical...
...for people to spend buckets of money on something and then skimp on maintenance products. I join the "use what the manufacturer recommends" group on this one. In answer to the question of "How would they know what I'm using?" Well, I'm certain that if they sample the glass they would be able to do destructive analysis to determine what caused a problem. Tests like that are not all that expensive nor uncommon anymore. As a matter of fact, I'm certain that the glass manufacturer has the ability to do just that in their R&D department. Cheers, Bob
...for people to spend buckets of money on something and then skimp on maintenance products. I join the "use what the manufacturer recommends" group on this one. In answer to the question of "How would they know what I'm using?" Well, I'm certain that if they sample the glass they would be able to do destructive analysis to determine what caused a problem. Tests like that are not all that expensive nor uncommon anymore. As a matter of fact, I'm certain that the glass manufacturer has the ability to do just that in their R&D department. Cheers, Bob
Plastic window care
Assuming that you do not have stratoglas use Plexus (West Marine) with a SOFT CLOTH - never paper towels. With stratoglas you must use products specificly designed for it.
Assuming that you do not have stratoglas use Plexus (West Marine) with a SOFT CLOTH - never paper towels. With stratoglas you must use products specificly designed for it.
Acoustic
I know that there is a label that the maker attached on the inside of the dodger sides. Unfortunately I dropped them off at a sail maker to have the trim and a couple of snaps repaired and won't get them back until mid-April. My windows are pretty thick, but also fairly flexible. I'll have to look at the label wehn I get them back. Thanks.
I know that there is a label that the maker attached on the inside of the dodger sides. Unfortunately I dropped them off at a sail maker to have the trim and a couple of snaps repaired and won't get them back until mid-April. My windows are pretty thick, but also fairly flexible. I'll have to look at the label wehn I get them back. Thanks.
Dodger was made by North Sails so I called them and they said it is Strattaglass so I am going to order the correct stuff from IMAR. Thanks for the help.
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