Lemon Pledge for cleaning Vinyl Windows

A

Alyssa Jean

New member
While on our trip up to Ketchikan, (actually it was at the Ketchikan Yacht Club) I met a gal that crews on larger boats for a living. She cooks, cleans, and crews, etc. and gets to travel all over the place on very nice boats. She steered me onto using Lemon Pledge to clean the clear vinyl windows in the canvas. She told me she has been using it for years and that it not only cleans without scratching, but that it keeps the vinyl from getting stiff. I tried it yesterday and it works very well.
 
We have been using Lemon Pledge for yrs and it really works. One of the boats on our dock was going to get new side curtains and I told him about Lemon Pledge. He used it and while it didn't take them back to new he was able to put off getting new ones for three yrs.
 
Great ideas,

You can use Cinch as a window cleaner and a general purpose cleaner. Great stuff. We use it all the time at the Inn.

Fred
 
Thanks for the great info on Lemmon Pledge and viny windows! I'll be using it on the Sea Ray, which has a lot of clear vinyl in the canvas!

I use Windex as a general purpose cleaner around the boat and house when some other specific cleaner is not indicated. The mild detergent and ammonia loosen up and remove most everything short of things requiring hot solvents like acetone, etc.

Joe.
 
I brought this forward because I am just now looking for this answer and barely remembered that the topic had been covered before. Also, I just noticed that the warning label on the Bowmar hatches says not to use Ammonia window cleaners.

John
 
Hi all,

Previous owner on my 40' used pledge on the sidecurtains around the upper helm, was completely unable to see a damn thing :cry After trying multiple products designed for the vinyl, which would not remove the pledge, tried other cleaners...Long story short...WOULD NOT reccomend this if you don't want to replace the vinyl. I believe that it works well on the lexan like windows, but the vinyl in canvass will turn hazy very quickly after use.

Good Luck
Drew
 
When Canvas Riggers of Anacortes did our camper back they recommended "Mer-maids" Plexiglas/Plastic Cleaner & Polisher. Item #MPC016.
Have used it for 1 year and it does a great job.

I didn't find a web site but you can contact them at mermaid@mermaids.com or 1-800 878 492

Merv

On edit.. Duh !! it's www.mermaids.com
 
PenguinPA":3h05cjn0 said:
Hi all,

Previous owner on my 40' used pledge on the sidecurtains around the upper helm, was completely unable to see a damn thing :cry After trying multiple products designed for the vinyl, which would not remove the pledge, tried other cleaners...Long story short...WOULD NOT reccomend this if you don't want to replace the vinyl. I believe that it works well on the lexan like windows, but the vinyl in canvass will turn hazy very quickly after use.

Good Luck
Drew
Click to expand...



B/S!! :lol:
 
Well,

I called King Canvas yesterday and was pleased that they gave me Dave's cell number - he's up in Canada right now - who is the "expert" on this topic.

I asked about Lemon Pledge, etc., and what King Canvas recommends for cleaning the vinyl windows. Here is about what he said,

"The windows are made of dark PVC material into which a plasticizer is mixed to make them both clear and flexible. As time passes, no matter what you do, the plasticizer leaves the windows and they become dark. So, whatever cleaner you are using over time, you might think that the cleaner caused the darkening. The sun hastens the darkening.... sun and time."

The best cleaner they have found for long term use is "Mermaid Cleaner", made up in the Seattle area. Mermaid also makes the Sunbrella cleaner they recommend. He said some ppl say RainX is the second choice, but he has no follow up on that rumor at this time. He also was reluctant to recommend Lemon Pledge since he has no long term follow up on that either.

Cleaners that remove the plasicizer will speed the darkening.

so,,, let's try to find Mermaid Cleaner!

What a great bunch of ppl there at King Canvas!

John
 
I have used some of the Aurora cleaning products and I have been satisfied. They make a product called Clean View that is specially made for clear plastics. I have no personal knowledge of how well the product works, but they do have a satisfaction guarantee. You might want to give it a try. http://www.auroramarine.com/

From their website, "Ask the Skipper":

"Many thousands of boat owners have had fantastic success with Aurora Clear View. It’s a two-part kit. Part one is a cleaner / restorer that removes fogging, yellowing, and minor scratching from Isinglass (clear vinyl), polycarbonate, and acrylic. In other words, from all see-through plastics. Part two is a protector that has UV inhibitors in it to protect against sun damage and is anti-static to repel dust and dirt. It also fills in minor scratches to restore optical clarity and replaces some of the dried out plasticizers to restore suppleness. ....

It goes on ...

A few tips on the care and maintenance of see through plastic:

1. When cleaning your Isinglass, polycarbonate or acrylic, rinse well with clear water and pat dry with a synthetic chamois or soft clean cloth.
2. Never wipe your windows, especially when dry or with a paper towel as this will scratch the surface.
3. Never fold Isinglass. The best way to store your curtains is to place a towel on the surface and roll it. Folding will result in cracking.
4. Only use cleaners, made especially for see through plastics. Never use household cleaners. Some household window cleaners can destroy your Isinglass in a mater of months.
5. Never use furniture polish on Isinglass. They will tint your windows yellow or brown.
6. Apply Clear View #2 to your see through plastics every 4 to 6 weeks to protect against UV degradation and extend their life and optical clarity. Also protect your compass dome, instrument crystals at the same time.
7. Do not let your Isinglass windows rest against stainless steel or aluminum rails. The suns reflection will burn permanent marks into the windows. Invest in offset spacers or cotton covers for the rails.
8. During winter lay-up, remove your Isinglass windows and store them at home if possible.

Again, I do not mean to sound like an advertisement, but maybe there is some good info here.

My best to all

John
Swee Pea
 
Another piece of good advice is never to leave them rolled-up, even with the neat little straps provided, in hot sun. Any two layers of Vinyl which touch will stick to each other with unpleasant results.
Even without the sunshine you are often placing a surface covered with salt crystals against another and that is like sandpapering it !!

Merv
 
I've heard some horror storys about RainX on Plastic windshields and face shields. Dunno how accurate they are but I'd shy away from it.
 
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