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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
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 Are your plastic windows cloudy & yellowed?		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts
Initially Posted - 01/28/2018 :  10:57:53  Show Profile
I just found a product that many of you might find useful for many purposes. It's Meguiar's PlastX. ($6.47 at Walmart) The label says it "removes cloudiness, yellowing, oxidation & fine scratches" from clear plastics, such as dodger windows, auto headlights, motorcycle windshields, motorcycle helmet face shields, convertible top rear windows, etc. I can imagine that it might even remove fine scratches from a favorite old pair of sunglasses, especially if they were expensive and worth saving.

I just tried it on a convertible top rear window that was so badly clouded that I had decided to replace it, and it worked so well that I'm going to leave it alone.

The label says it contains petroleum distillates and aluminum oxide. The theory seems to be that plastic windows are actually somewhat porous, and grime penetrates them. The petroleum distillates clean out the pores and the aluminum oxide is an extremely fine abrasive that polishes very fine scratches from the surface.

All I know is that it worked really well for me, and this spring I plan to use it on my dodger windows, in the expectation that I won't have to replace them either, and on my motorcycle windshield, which I thought was unsalvageable.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
Edited by - Steve Milby on 01/28/2018 10:59:57

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts
Response Posted - 01/28/2018 :  16:40:08  Show Profile
Steve, I've used that product and it does work but like waxing the boat it has to be reapplied every so often. Funny but I did try it on an old pair of glasses. It didn't work. Just made them hazy.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound


Edited by - islander on 01/28/2018 17:30:40
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts
Response Posted - 01/28/2018 :  18:32:11  Show Profile
This is the first time I've used it, but it seems to work really well on vinyl windows like dodgers and convertible tops. Unless your window is obviously unredeemable, it's certainly worth trying. Mine was pretty bad.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts
Response Posted - 01/30/2018 :  13:15:35  Show Profile  Visit Peregrine's Homepage
Good to know.
How did you apply it?

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts
Response Posted - 01/30/2018 :  13:31:17  Show Profile
Thanks for the tip, Steve!
Ben
Beneteau 361
Viking Kitty
Columbus, Ohio
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts
Response Posted - 01/31/2018 :  07:56:24  Show Profile
It was easy to apply. First, I washed the window with clear water and a soft cloth, just to remove any surface dirt. Then I wiped the cleaner on about half the rear window with a clean, dry cloth, rubbed it a little, and then wiped it off with a clean terry cloth towel before the cleaner dried completely. That removed a lot of the cloudiness, but there was a little left, so I applied it a second time, and that left it clear. There were a few little specks of something that were bonded tenaciously to the surface, and I removed them by picking at them with a fingernail and rubbing them vigorously with the cleaner.

There was also a place where someone had stuck a piece of scotch tape on it, probably to attach a for sale sign to it, and I rubbed it with isopropyl alcohol and then gave it a little special application of the cleaner.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts
Response Posted - 01/31/2018 :  08:57:32  Show Profile  Visit Peregrine's Homepage
"before the cleaner dried completely "
Key tip thanks.
I always see the car guys using a foam ball thing on their headlights. Maybe a foam sponge would be good.

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.