Can this eisenglass be saved?

JoeStang

Last summer I left the camper top up all season and now I have these spots on the glass. Its on the outside of the stern piece, at the bottom of the window near the swim platform. I tried buffing it out with various plastic products with no real difference made.

All of the other pieces look great, but they also got alot less sun exposure.

I've always used eisenglass-only cleaners and products, but it does have 9 years on it now. Any magic product or process to get this clear again, or stop it from getting worse?

Pat310

Before and after Meguires Plastx. Yellowed back up do to age but got another year out of them. Worth a try in my opinion 

YYZRC

Canvas looks to be in good shape.  I would find someone to replace the strataglass and enjoy for another decade.

aero3113

YYZRC said:

Canvas looks to be in good shape.  I would find someone to replace the strataglass and enjoy for another decade.

That’s the route I took, had all of my front panels replaced. Can barely tell that they aren’t original.

JoeStang

Yeah canvas is perfect, just the plastic in that one spot. I thought about Plast-X, but didnt have any at home. I'll give it a shout, thanks.

Black_Diamond

Eisenglass is PVC: which breaks down from UV exposure.  Once it starts to cloud up / discolor there is no fix.  

True Strataglas is a different product with much better UV exposure life.  Downside is it is not as flexible.  You can get thinner grades that will roll, but not like a tight roll. Thicker grades will not roll at all.  

skennelly

Agree with @Black_Diamond once the glass starts to go it's can't be saved.  Interesting though...it seems since I moved away from the city my eisenglass seems last much longer.  I think pollution and uv all play a role

laureniac1

Mine looks the exact same! My boat was not covered till late last year because we couldn’t get shrink wrap. I’ll tried all the waxes and rubbing compounds with zero luck 

Liberty44140

PVC has plasticizer in which makes the pvc flexible. Over time the plasticizer leaches out which is why eisenglass and other flexible tracks and parts get stiffer, harder, and yellow. Agree that it can’t be reversed but it can be slowed and delayed with proper maintenance. I use Meguires plasex and it absolutely helps eisenglass to last longer and be clearer as it is a conditioner along with a cleaner. 

I’ve turned eisenglass that looks like that clear again with plastx but it’s not always Saveable. Worth a try for a $6 bottle at Walmart….

JoeStang

I've got a bottle of Plastx, any advice for process? Elbow grease or orbital?

Black_Diamond

@JoeStang. I’d go orbital.  Been there with elbow grease.  You may need to use a more cutting type pad to start with.  

Liberty44140

Agree, I use an orbital with PlasteX every fall. 

mattie

Buddy of mine just had the eisenglass replaced at marine canvas shop. They just sewed a new sheet over the old one —— then removed the old panel with a razor blade. Pretty slick. Not expensive at all.

MarkB

I wouldn't be disappointed if that stain doesn't come out. It doesn't look superficial, seems like the stain penetrated right through the material. Once that happens ... good bye.

Liberty44140

mattie said:

Buddy of mine just had the eisenglass replaced at marine canvas shop. They just sewed a new sheet over the old one —— then removed the old panel with a razor blade. Pretty slick. Not expensive at all.

Yep thats the way to replace them. For anyone who can sew, or has an interest in sewing, you can buy a Sailrite machine for under $1k and do this stuff yourself. Tons of online video's to show you how. My machine paid for itself within a year replacing bad eisenglass, fixing broken stiching and zippers, patching rips, etc... on my canvas and family members canvas and sails. 

JoeStang

Black_Diamond said:

Eisenglass is PVC: which breaks down from UV exposure.  Once it starts to cloud up / discolor there is no fix.  

True Strataglas is a different product with much better UV exposure life.  Downside is it is not as flexible.  You can get thinner grades that will roll, but not like a tight roll. Thicker grades will not roll at all.  

Yeah I've handled Strataglass on my father-in-laws boat, and it has some advantages. It definitely is not as easy to store and handle, which is a medium issue on my boat since I do take it up & down pretty often. I keep it all rolled up on the small cubby between cushions and porthole, so I dont have any extra space to give up.

Black_Diamond said:

@JoeStang. I’d go orbital.  Been there with elbow grease.  You may need to use a more cutting type pad to start with.  

Gonna try it tonight. I'm not expecting any change, but we'll see.

Liberty44140 said:

Agree, I use an orbital with PlasteX every fall. 

I have for the most part, except for last Fall obviously. I noticed the stain when I took it down, but I think it was just dirty. No such luck.

mattie said:

Buddy of mine just had the eisenglass replaced at marine canvas shop. They just sewed a new sheet over the old one —— then removed the old panel with a razor blade. Pretty slick. Not expensive at all.

Thats interesting and makes good sense. Its def not bad enough to worry about right now, but maybe in another year or two.

MarkB said:

I wouldn't be disappointed if that stain doesn't come out. It doesn't look superficial, seems like the stain penetrated right through the material. Once that happens ... good bye.

Yeah rubbing by hand made zero difference and it seems like its "inside" the plastic. I hope I can at least stop or slow it down.