Problems w/ side curtains

[Spoiled Daddy]

I pulled my side curtains out of the hatch where they have been stored and both were damaged. The clear vinyl material has fogged and will not clean up.

Any ideas as to what has caused this? There is no gas in the bilge, no chems in the hatch, etc... I have rolled up and stored the side curtains for 4 years with no problems until now. Both side curtains are now unusable and will have to be replaced, as they are so marred that you can't see thru them.

Any suggestions?

THANKS

the Spoiled Daddy

[Quiet Riot]

Get some plastic polish and clean em up. If you have access to a buffer and lay them on a flat, clean table it really speeds things up. Best way to store them is either on the boat zipped in place or inside in a warm dry area when not using them for a period of time. Make sure and wash any dirt off them really well before polishing and keep rags/buffer clean to avoid scratching them. Miguires or the like make plastic polish.

UV light, petrolium based products, and abrasion (dirty when stored as they vibrate around in the boat) all haze the plastic over. The polish will also make them more resistant to hazing in the future if they aren't too far gone already but ya might just suprise yourself. Try the polish on both sides of a small area and see.

jd

[Spoiled Daddy]

Well... I have no idea what caused the problem or why they aren't fogged now, but... I unrolled the plastic side curtains, washed them with mild soap and water and hung them out to dry. They stayed fogged up for a few days and I figured I was going to have to spend some $ on having new ones made. I went out to the shop last night and the plastic had cleared on them. As good as new.

Anybody have any idea what would have affected the vinyl/plastic that way? I'm stumped???

the Spoiled Daddy

[greenbuttskunk]

the fog fairy probably. He's sneaky

:grin:
Actually, did they have any contact with another type of plastic, or were they stored in a plastic bag maybe?
plastic fumes, or even gas fumes will fog them at times.

[Spoiled Daddy]

GBS,

The curtains has been rolled up on themselves and stored down in the middle hatch of the floor. They've been stored that way before, so... Who knows. Maybe this is an indication that because of their age I am going to have to store them differently.

I will sprinkle a lil' anti fog fairy dust on them the next time I put them away!

Thanks! the Spoiled Daddy

[bluebackbil]

When storing and cleaning my side curtains / back drop, i spray them down with pledge (furniture polish) and wipe them down with a soft clean cloth. It is amazing how soft and pliable they become. And it really cleans them up well.

[jimh]

A second vote for the fog fairy. I think that fog fairy dust is also a good idea. :smile:

[timinthegorge]

I use Pledge too, and after 3+ years they still look good.

I used to leave the sides and back rolled up in the bag they came in but now I leave them stored flat under my bed. If I'm going on a multi-day trip, then I roll 'em up and store 'em in their bag in the truck to keep them pliable. Seems to work pretty well....

[BARCHASER]

Sometimes, the plastic lenses on late model auto headlights fog up. I read in one of those car columns in the newspaper that Brasso will clean them. I tried it and it worked wonders. If none of the other remedies work, you might try it. It comes in a little tin can at the store.