cleaning horribly dirty window tracks.. help

Jake B

so I am going to attempt cleaning out the sliding window tracks this weekend on a boat that has been in storage since 98 and has not seen any type of cleaning since who knows when. I read on here about maintaining cleaning and lubing but anyone have any tips for some that are really bad they wont close all the way to lock or really slide open.

I am wanting to get them back to new but don't want to mess them up in the process. wasn't sure if there was a strong cleaner that would break it up or not.
thanks to anyone who has dealt with this in the past.

digger · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:46 am Post subject:

I bought an 89 C-Dory, that was neglected, and the window tracks were extremely dirty, the fabric was falling apart, and the drain hole plastic covers were falling off. I just washed and washed with a regular hose until most of the dirt washed out, and made new aluminum drain covers that I pop riveted over the holes. The windows themselves are not too good anymore, but I don't plan on replacing them -- they are actually "weathering" on the ground over edges, but they work. Wonder what replacing them all would cost??

bshillam · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:30 am Post subject: stiff brush

A stiff plastic brush goes a long way. Something you can pick up in any auto parts or hardware store. Once cleaned I have heard liquid rollers works really well.

billtwymank · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:19 am Post subject: Liquid Roller

******

We use liquid roller for boat trailer pads.......
and use it monthly
and the windows slide very easily.

I always run the hose full pressure in all the tracks
then when they are dry I spray liquid roller on
all front, top, bottom tracks..........

******

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 10:41 am Post subject:

Another endorsement for Liquid Roller. It works!

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:10 am Post subject:

Ours haven't sat for as long as yours, but we scrub with soapy water, flush with water, use some vinegar water (really helps with the salt spray), then let it dry. When dry, spray on Liquid Rollers (a Marykate product).

Jake B · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:38 pm Post subject:

thanks for the replys, and looks like a good scrubbing and liquid rollers in what it needs. thanks again

Standas · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2021 11:16 pm Post subject:

I went thru and replaced the rubber/mohair channel.it wasn’t to difficult I got the material at steel rubber products.

hardee · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 1:11 am Post subject:

SPAM ALERT

Vikka_51 post just above is spam.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 12:37 pm Post subject:

start with 30 second cleaner from home depot or lowes. It is by far the best mold alge grit pollen cleaner. I use it a lot around the house and on the trucks rv boats and just about anything. It really breaks the bond of all the above and your boat. Works really well in cleaning bugs off rvs and trucks. Makes it a 10 min job.

Doug & Fran · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 12:14 am Post subject:

We have a 2007 25', and the window sliders were almost impossible to move. I'd tried spraying with silicon lube, but hadn't done any cleaning first. Just spent some time with a bucket of water, a screwdriver, toothbrush and the water pick I use for cleaning my teeth. Worked quite well!
I should have closed the windows and hit them with the hose from the outside first, but I'm not that smart.
The combination of rubbing the flat bladed screw driver along the edges up against the glass and then in the 'groove' itself broke up the dirt etc., and gently pouring water into the 'groove' where the glass wasn't sitting and then using the toothbrush did a pretty good job of cleaning. I don't know how much of a difference the water pick made, but it fit nicely into the 'groove' and was handy for directing flow to clean out the drains etc.
Does anyone know of an attachment that I could screw onto the standard garden hose, that would have maybe a 1/4" diameter tubing outlet? It would allow more control over where the water was going. Thanks, Doug

thataway · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 7:20 pm Post subject:

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 447 Photos: Thistle

[attachment that I could screw onto the standard garden hose, that would have maybe a 1/4" diameter tubing outlet? It would allow more control over where the water was going. Thanks, Doug[/quote]
Like Thataway mentioned it needs to be "hose thread". They're available in most Ag or Farm stores such as Fleet and Tractor Supply. From experience I find that a ball valve and the 3/4 x 1/8 Hose barb is what you're after. If I can figure out how to post photos I'll show these parts to you.