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Proper Care and Maintenance of Strataglass EnclosuresSpring is upon us and all across the country boat owners and crew are preparing their pleasure craft for the season. One of the many concerns for the conscientious boat owner is how to properly care for their clear vinyl enclosures. If you do a search on the internet for Strataglass Cleaner you will find that there is a lot of information out there, some good, some obsolete, and some just downright wrong. Improper care can actually harm the product rather than keep it looking new for many years to come. What is the correct way to maintain Strataglass? If you check the official source, www.strataglass.com, the manufacturers of Strataglass and Crystal Clear 20/20 have only one recommendation, IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner and IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish. So, what makes IMAR so special? The makers of IMAR, Integrated Logistics based in Manassas Virginia worked extensively with the manufacturers of Strataglass to ensure their product was a leap above anything currently on the market. The president of the company, a yacht owner himself, was not happy with conflicting opinions he found when trying to take care of his own boat. Working with his chemists, he set out to solve the problem by formulating a new cleaner and polish that went beyond just cleaning vinyl but would actually enhance it. They developed a polish that is micro-abrasive meaning it will clean and polish without scratching or blurring the surface, but strong enough to remove pollutants. The polish does the actual “work” of protecting your enclosure by adding a UV inhibitor to the surface and providing a molecular bond to the scratch resistant coating that has made Strataglass famous. The best thing about using the polish is that it will not build up and dull over time like waxes will. The more you use it, the better it protects. The manufacturer recommends polishing the vinyl every 2 to 3 months (more often in areas of high pollution or sun exposure). Between polishing, it is recommended that the IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner be used. The cleaner does an excellent job of cleaning while at the same time enhances the properties of the polish. 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. This, or any equivalent gentle soap will work. Avoid harsh detergents as these can cause damage to clear vinyl and strip the wax from the boat. Once washed, completely dry the enclosure. Swobbit has a product called the Quik-Dry Waterblade made of surgical grade silicone that is excellent for this purpose. When the enclosure is clean and dry, it is time to either clean or polish. The secret to a good finish is to use a small amount of product (a little bit goes a long way). The polish should be applied with a soft applicator, soft terry cloth towel or t-shirt. Polish one panel at a time. When the polish dries to a white haze, carefully wipe off and buff. With the cleaner, apply the cleaner to a soft terry cloth towel or t-shirt and wipe the surface. It is not necessary to use the cleaner directly after polishing. A few DON’T’s concerning the care of Strataglass: Don’t Use Rainex on Strataglass. It will build up and cause hazing. Don’t Use Pledge on Strataglass for the same build-up problems. Don’t Touch Strataglass with suntan lotion on your hands. Suntan lotion will damage the surface. Don’t Leave the curtains rolled up for an extended period of time. * Note that once Strataglass is damaged or cloudy, it cannot be repaired (some surface cloudiness may be removed by the IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish). So now you know how to use the IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner and Polish but where do you get it? The line is relatively new and retail outlets are picking it up slowly. The best way to find the products presently is to do a search on the internet for IMAR Strataglass Cleaner. There are many on-line outlets 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 enclosure or dodger is a safe investment for the longevity of Strataglass, Crystal Clear 20/20 or any clear vinyl product.
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