Plexiglass might look great, but if you don’t know how to
clean it, you can end up doing damage to your boat’s windshield. That’s why
we’ve created a step-by-step guide to teach you everything you need to know
about how to clean a plexiglass boat windshield the right way.
What NOT TO DO When Cleaning Plexiglass
Cleaning plexiglass isn’t like cleaning anything else in
your home, which is why it’s just as much about what
not to do as it is what to
do.
So, what does that mean? Cleaning plexiglass with classic
household cleaners or cleaning solutions can actually be damaging to your
plexiglass if you’re not careful. Here are a few warnings to bear in mind:
-
- Don’t use
a solution containing ammonia
. Ammonia can be damaging to acrylic, from
which plexiglass is made. Although it can work very well as a cleaning material
in some cases, when it comes to your boat’s plexiglass windshield—it will only
do more harm than good.
- Don’t use
-
- Beware of
“universal” cleaning solutions
! You might be used to using your standard
kitchen cleaners for a wide variety of boat cleaning solutions. Don’t make that
mistake here.
- Beware of
-
- Avoid too
much heat
. For example, it may be better to remove debris from the window
by blowing it off. This is good because the flow of air won’t damage
plexiglass. However, beware of using
hot
air, as this can also damage the acrylic. If you do use a hair dryer, make sure
to use it on its coolest setting.
- Avoid too
- Don’t use
a dry cloth to wipe off the acrylic
. Sure, it might seem like a relatively
harmless way to remove debris, but it can actually wipe dirt
into the material rather than wiping it
off. Paper towels are also a no-no.
While it’s a good idea to avoid these key mistakes, it still
leaves one obvious question: just how
should
you clean the acrylic in your boat windshield’s plexiglass? Here’s the best way
to approach it:
How to Clean
Plexiglass Without Damaging It
Once you’ve successfully removed debris (using air rather
than a coarse rag), you can clean your plexiglass with a soapy water solution
that doesn’t contain ammonia.
Boat Cleaner from
BoatLIFE will do the trick nicely. This product is specifically designed for
use anywhere on your boat, including your windshield. It features a formula
that’s safe for the marine environment. Create a soapy water solution with Boat
Cleaner, and get to work. It’s that simple.
Everything You Need To
Care For Your Boat
Not all boat cleaners are made alike. It’s important to
match the boat cleaner to the material you’re cleaning. Be sure to browse all
our
boat
cleaning products
to ensure you have everything you need to maintain a
clean boat without damaging any underlying materials.
