Crystal Clear

Summer is in full swing and all around the State boat owners and crews are enjoying their pleasure craft, though many are already thinking about preparations for the upcoming fall and winter, seasons of the year when Mother Nature has a habit of showing her true colors.

Of the many concerns for conscientious boat owners is how to properly clean and care for their clear vinyl enclosures. Like Bimini and T-Tops which are commonly associated with open center consoles, clear vinyl enclosures are an essential accessory for protecting both passengers and equipment from the harsh marine environment.

If you do a search on the internet for clear vinyl cleaner or protectant you will find that there is an encyclopedia of information floating around. Some good, some obsolete, and some just downright wrong. Improper maintenance of clear vinyl can actually do more harm than good rather than keeping the product looking brand new for many years to come. 

What really is the correct way to clean and maintain clear vinyl? If you visit the industry leader in clear vinyl, www.Strataglass.com, you’ll find the manufacturers of Strataglass and Crystal Clear 20/20 have only one recommendation, IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner and Protective Polish.
So what makes IMAR products so special? The makers of IMAR, Integrated Logistics in Virginia, worked extensively with the manufacturers of Strataglass, the only ‘coated’ UV protected clear vinyl on the market today, to ensure their product was a leap above anything currently on the market. The president of the company, a yacht owner himself, wasn’t happy with conflicting products and opinions he found when trying to maintain the vinyl on his own boat. Working closely with chemists, he set out to solve the problem by formulating a new cleaner and polish that went beyond just cleaning clear vinyl, a product that would actually enhance it. They developed a polish that is micro-abrasive. Meaning it will clean and polish without scratching or blemishing the fragile surface, but yet strong enough to remove pollutants. The polish they created does the actual “work” of protecting the clear vinyl by adding a UV inhibitor to the surface and provides a molecular bond to the scratch resistant coating, which is what Strataglass is famous for.

The best thing about using Strataglass Protective Cleaner and Protective Polish.is that the products will not build up and dull over time like most waxes. In fact, the more you use them, the better they protect. Manufacturers of clear vinyl, including Strataglass, recommend polishing the vinyl every 2 to 3 months (more often in areas of high pollution or sun exposure). Between polishing your clear vinyl enclosure, it is recommended that the IMAR Protective Cleaner be used. The cleaner does an excellent job of cleaning while at the same time enhances the properties of the polish. Plus, the cleaner is gentle enough to be used daily.

Before using either product, it is recommended that the full enclosure be thoroughly cleaned and dried using a gentle soap. IMAR produces an excellent Yacht Soap Concentrate (3 oz. per gallon) that is gentle enough for waxed surfaces yet strong enough to remove fish blood, guts, and salty grime.  An equivalent gentle soap will generally work equally as well, though avoid harsh detergents as these can cause damage to clear vinyl and strip wax from the boat.

Once washed, completely dry the enclosure. Swobbit manufacturers a product called the Quik-Dry Waterblade. It’s made of surgical grade silicone and is ideal for this application. Once the enclosure is clean and dry, it is time to polish. The secret to a quality finish is to use a small amount of product (a little bit goes a very long way). Polish should be applied with a soft applicator, terry cloth towel or soft cotton t-shirt. Polish one panel at a time. When the polish dries to a dull white haze, carefully wipe off and buff.

A few DON’T’s concerning the care of clear vinyl enclosures:
*Don’t ever use Rain-X on clear vinyl, especially on Strataglass. Rain-X will build up and eventually cause hazing.
*Don’t Use Pledge furniture polish on clear vinyl due to the same build-up problems.
*Don’t use harsh cleaners like Simple Green and Orpine, both will quickly dull clear vinyl curtains.
*Don’t contaminate clear vinyl enclosures with suntan lotion on your hands. Suntan lotion will damage the surface.
*Don’t leave clear vinyl curtains rolled up for an extended period of time. 
*Make note that in most cases once clear vinyl is damaged or cloudy, it cannot be repaired (A percentage of surface cloudiness may be removed by the IMAR Protective Polish).

So now you know how to use the most effective clear vinyl protective cleaner and polish, where can you get your hands on some? The IMAR line is relatively new and retail outlets are slowly picking it up. Presently, the best way to find the products is to do a search on the internet for IMAR Strataglass Cleaner. There are numerous on-line outlets carrying the line and you should be able to find something convenient for you. Ask your canvas fabricator or boat detailer if they carry it, many do. With the full backing of Strataglass Ltd., you can feel confident that using the IMAR Yacht Detailing line on your clear vinyl enclosure or dodger is a safe investment for the longevity of Strataglass, Crystal Clear 20/20 or any clear vinyl product.