Clear Marine Vinyl Cost & Care
Why do vinyl windows turn cloudy and become brittle?
The key to keeping vinyl looking and performing like new is maintaining the integrity of the topcoat and protecting against UV damage. Vinyls contain plasticizers, chemicals that make them soft and pliable, that over time work their way to the surface and evaporate, wash away, or rub off.
The top coat (PVF or PVDF) is applied to block plasticizers from migrating out of the material. Top coats greatly increase the life of vinyl windows, especially those left up permanently. Its effectiveness is reduced on applications that are taken on and off or folded regularly.
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Plastipane: This is a 30 gauge, clear vinyl window material ideal for marine and industrial applications. It is double polished for good optical clarity and makes excellent dodger and bimini windows, and enclosures. Sews and rolls up easily. It is not as stiff or dimensionally stable as "pressed and polished" vinyl, but is priced at a significant savings.
Wash regularly with mild soap and water. To prolong the life of Plastipane, use 303 Aerospace Protectant or clear vinyl cleaning products on a regular basis to help restore plasticizer protection and add UV protection.
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Crystal Clear Vinyl Material is a 30 gauge press polished clear window material designed for marine applications. Crystal Clear is made using the same quality vinyl and processing as Strataglass (without the extra coating for durability and scratch resistance) and has good optical clarity with no haziness, dimples, distortion or fish eyes. Crystal Clear can be sewn just like fabric and is a great window material for marine windows and enclosures. This is the perfect thickness for clarity, while still maintaining ease of rolling up window panels.
Wash regularly with mild soap and water, rinsing away salt and debris first - beware of washing with trapped grit in your cloth mitt. To prolong the life of Crystal Clear, use clear vinyl cleaning products on a regular basis to help restore plasticizer protection and add UV protection. Do not leave window curtains rolled up over a prolonged period of time. Roll down and snap into place nightly to avoid fold distortion or cloudiness from trapped water. The manufacturer suggests not using products like Rain-X, Pledge or Plexus as they will cause hazing, discoloration and distortion over time.
Top coats, such as clear vinyl protectants and polishes, greatly increase the life of vinyl windows, especially those left up permanently. Their effectiveness is reduced on applications that are taken on and off or folded regularly.
Please Note: The manufacturer lists the size of the sheet as 54" x 110"; however, we have found that the sheet size varies up to 3" in length and 1" in width. The Strataglass cleaning and polishing items listed within "Related Items" are the recommended products to maintain Crystal Clear.
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Regalite® Vinyl Window Material is a 30-gauge press-polished window material with good optical clarity and durability (without the extra coating for durability and scratch resistance of O'sea). Regalite is a standard marine grade window material manufactured from 100% polyvinyl chloride with a highly polished finish that results in a soft, flexible, press-polished sheet. This clear vinyl window material is perfect for marine, RV and automotive windows. This is the perfect thickness for clarity, while still maintaining ease of rolling up window panels.
Please Note: The manufacturer lists the size of the sheet as 54" x 110", however we have found that the sheet size varies up to 3" in both length and width.
Regalite Care and Cleaning
Wash regularly with mild soap and water, rinsing away salt and debris first - beware of washing with trapped grit in your cloth mitt. To prolong the life of Regalite, use clear vinyl cleaning products on a regular basis to help restore plasticizer protection and add UV protection. Do not leave window curtains rolled up over a prolonged period of time. Roll down and snap into place nightly to avoid fold distortion or cloudiness from trapped water. The manufacturer suggests not using products like Rain-X, Pledge or Plexus as they will cause hazing, discoloration and distortion over time.
Pro Tip: Due to a slight bluish tint, we recommend pairing this product with other Regalite or O'Sea products.
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O'Sea® Polished Vinyl Window Material is a 30 gauge premium press polished window material with exceptional optical clarity and durability. O'Sea is a marine grade window material manufactured from thermoplastic clear vinyl material and formulated for maximum UV stability. The window material is first coated to provide a scratch- and chemical-resistant barrier, then pressed and last it is highly polished resulting in a soft, flexible, press-polished sheet. Chemical resistance includes sun tan lotion, insect repellent and jet fuel vapor. This clear vinyl window material is perfect for marine windows, marine cabin enclosures, dodgers and awnings requiring the best in clarity and durability, while still maintaining ease of rolling.
Please Note: The manufacturer lists the size of the sheet as 54" x 110", however, we have found that the sheet size varies up to 3" in length and 1" in width.
Pro Tips:
Due to a slight bluish tint, we recommend pairing this product with other O'Sea or Regalite products.
O'Sea Care and Cleaning
Wash regularly with mild soap and water, rinsing away salt and debris first - beware of washing with trapped grit in your cloth mitt. To prolong the life of O'Sea, use clear vinyl cleaning products on a regular basis to help restore plasticizer protection and add UV protection. Do not leave window curtains rolled up over a prolonged period of time. Roll down and snap into place nightly to avoid fold distortion or cloudiness from trapped water. The manufacturer suggests not using products like Rain-X, Pledge or Plexus as they will cause hazing, discoloration and distortion over time.
Manufacturer Defect Tolerance Disclaimer:
Each sheet may contain minor imperfections within the following tolerances:
Surface Imperfections: Each sheet may have up to eight minor surface imperfections.
Scratches: Each sheet may have up to four light scratches not exceeding 4", and no more than four heavy scratches not exceeding 1/2".
Fibers or Hairs: Each sheet may have up to two fibers or hairs per sheet, each no longer than 1-1/4".
These tolerances are standard and within acceptable limits by Continental Industry for quality assurance.
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Strataglass™ Vinyl Window Material is a 30 gauge pressed, polished and coated polyvinyl chloride window material. A polymer coating is used to seal in the plasticizers (the chemicals added to the vinyl to keep it soft and supple). This coating also makes Strataglass more scratch resistant. Use 30 gauge window vinyl for dodger and bimini windows, and enclosures. This is the perfect thickness for clarity, while still maintaining ease of rolling up window panels.
Strataglass Attributes:
VueShield™ scratch resistant coating to combat daily wear and tear
Blocks 70% of UVA rays and 100% of UVB rays
Treated with an anti-glare additive to reduce sun glare and improve low light visibility
Strataglass recommends using 3M™ Adhesive Remover to remove any glue left from fabrication. Then clean with IMAR™ Strataglass™ Protective Cleaner and use IMAR™ Strataglass™ Protective Polish as the final step in installation to provide a base of protection and good watershed.
Since new vinyl can easily get impressions in itself, it is recommended that enclosures be left in place as much as possible. If completely removed, interleave the vinyl with either acid-free paper (available from framing shops) or old sheets (the best choice) to prevent "pooling" in the glass. Vinyl "seasons" over time and becomes less impressionable. Roll all curtains down and fasten in place nightly to keep a perfect appearance.
Strataglass Care & Cleaning:
Cleaning your Strataglass regularly will help extend the life of the product. You should only use IMAR Strataglass labeled products. Using any other products on Strataglass will void the warranty and could potentially damage the vinyl.
Each time you use your boat, rinse your Strataglass with clean water to remove salt or other debris. Weekly rinsing in fresh water environments is acceptable. Allow it to air dry or wipe it down with a chamois or microfiber towel.
Deep Cleaning should be done with IMAR Yacht Soap Concentrate. Use a washing mitt or soft cloth to clean both surfaces of the clear vinyl. Rinse well and buff with microfiber when dry.
Every 1-2 weeks spray Strataglass Protective Cleaner directly on the inside and outside of the vinyl and gently wipe away. This product should always be on hand for emergency spot cleaning if your vinyl encounters harmful chemicals, such as bug spray or sunscreen.
Every 1-2 months (especially when the vinyl is new) apply a light coat of Strataglass Protective Polish to both sides of the vinyl using a soft cotton cloth and small, light circular motions. Allow it to dry and buff again with a clean cotton or microfiber cloth. Over time this will build up a protective barrier on the vinyl. This is the most important part of vinyl maintenance.
Right after you’ve completed your sewing project using Strataglass, clean and polish it using the methods stated previously. This will help to establish a protective base on the new vinyl.
Things To Avoid:
Do not handle Strataglass with sunscreen on your hands! It will damage the product.
You should NEVER use Windex, Rain-X, Pledge, Plexus, Simple Green, Orpine or other harsh chemicals on Strataglass.
Do not use any kind of car wash or wax products on Strataglass.
Do not use any products intended for commercial grade vinyl or plastic.
Keep in mind that new vinyl products are easily impressionable and should be kept on a clean, flat, soft surface. Do not place your clear vinyl anywhere that may scratch, dent or puncture the product.
Restoring: We once recommended a restoration process but extensive experience shows actual damage cannot truly be repaired. If IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish cannot restore the clarity and shine, it may be time to consider replacing the enclosures.
Please Note: The manufacturer lists the size of the sheet as 54" x 110", however we have found that the sheet size varies up to 3" in length and 2" in width.
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Tier 1: Premium Coated (The "Best" View)
Strataglass 30ga: The industry standard for clarity. It features a proprietary coating that makes it highly resistant to UV and scratches. It is slightly stiffer than others, which helps it stay flat but requires more care when rolling in cooler Wisconsin mornings.
O'Sea 30ga: A direct competitor to Strataglass. It has a slightly "softer hand," making it easier to roll up. According to Sailrite, it often tests slightly better for chemical resistance against things like sunscreen or fuel vapors.
Tier 2: High-Quality Uncoated (Great Value)
Crystal Clear 30ga & Regalite 30ga: These are "Pressed and Polished" sheets, meaning two layers are fused together for high clarity. They are essentially the same material as Strataglass but without the expensive scratch-resistant coating.
Tier 3: Economic Rolled (The Budget Choice)
Plastipane 30ga: This is an "extruded" or rolled product. It is the softest and most flexible of the bunch. While it's budget-friendly, it lacks the perfect "flatness" of the pressed sheets and is more prone to shrinking or yellowing over time in the sun.
Wisconsin Recommendation ❄️
For Maximum Clarity: Go with O'Sea. Its slightly softer feel makes it more forgiving during those 50°F Wisconsin spring or fall days when you need to roll up the panels without them being too stiff.
Go with Regalite. It’s easier to work with than coated vinyl and offers much better visibility than rolled products for a mid-range price.
🌟 Crucial Warning: If you choose Strataglass or O'Sea, you must use approved cleaners (like IMAR). Standard "clear vinyl" cleaners can actually strip the expensive coating off these premium sheets.
BOAT WINDOW CARE GUIDE
Congratulations on your new custom window panels! To ensure you get the maximum lifespan out of your investment in the Wisconsin climate, please follow the specific care instructions for your material below.
GENERAL RULES FOR ALL WINDOWS
Rinse First: Always rinse with fresh water before touching the surface to remove salt and grit.
Microfiber Only: Use only clean microfiber cloths. Never use paper towels, squeegees, or brushes.
The 60-Degree Rule: Never roll or fold windows when the temperature is below 60°F. Cold vinyl becomes brittle and can crack.
Chemical Warning: Keep sunscreen, insect repellent (DEET), and fuel vapors away from your windows. They will cause permanent, unfixable clouding.
Never Use: Windex, Rain-X, Pledge, or any citrus-based cleaners.
FOR UNCOATED VINYL (Plastipane, Regalite, Crystal Clear)
Expected Life: 3–7 Years
Cleaning: Use a mild, non-detergent soap (like Dawn or IMAR Yacht Soap).
Protection: Apply 303 Aerospace Protectant every 4–6 weeks. This replaces the UV blockers that the sun evaporates.
Storage: Store panels flat with a clean bedsheet between layers. Never store in a hot attic or unheated garage over winter.
FOR COATED VINYL (Strataglass, O’Sea)
Expected Life: 8–10+ Years
Cleaning: Use ONLY IMAR Strataglass Protective Cleaner.
Protection: Use ONLY IMAR Strataglass Protective Polish every 2–3 months.
WARNING: DO NOT USE 303 Aerospace Protectant on these panels. It can damage the specialized scratch-resistant coating and void your warranty.
Storage: These panels are stiffer than standard vinyl. Avoid tight rolling; storing flat is highly recommended.