Cleaning, Care, and Identification

Introduction
Prior to the mid and late 80's the question of how to best take care of enclosures could be answered relatively easily! There was basically just one clear product and a few border fabrics to discuss. The clear product was a vinyl made from clear PVC. Border fabrics consisted of Sunbrella , Dacron, Weblon, and Weblon lookalikes. In the mid 80's a superior border fabric emerged called Valmex® nautica. Shortly afterward a patented system enabled acrylic to be introduced by EZ2CY® as a formidable clear component for enclosures. At about the same time, GORE-TEX® thread (now known as Profilen®) was introduced in a strength compatible for the rigors of a marine enclosure and promised to change the weakest link into the longest lasting component used in the enclosure. In October of 1991, EZ2CY® combined Valmex® nautica border fabric, GORE-TEX® thread and clear Acrylic for it's enclosure system. EZ2CY® then recognized the need to educate the public about the new products available, letting them know why and how different products would perform. The public's newfound knowledge of the canvas industry, previously of little concern to the industry itself, awakened and revitalized the market. The result of this rejuvenation was that many new products came into the market. These various products require different care and cleaning procedures, necessitating familiarity so you know what you are cleaning.

Conventional Clear Vinyl
Identification

  1. .015, .020, and possibly .030 clear roll vinyl: This is the least expensive material utilized and constitutes the bulk of clear vinyl used. Noticeably thin material is likely to be this product. It is utilized primarily on smaller vessels and is made from clear PVC. The vinyl is very susceptible to scratching.
  2. .030 and .040 pressed polished clear vinyl: Prior to 1989, .040 would have been considered the premium clear product. While no longer considered the premium, it presently continues to be used on the majority of sport-fishermen and cruisers over 40'. Pressed polished .030 and .040 begin with .015 and .020 respectively. The latter products are then pressed together between heated plates, effectively laminating the two into one, and a polishing of the sheet follows. This process typically leaves the sheet with less distortion then the rolled products. Scratch resistance is still problematic. If the clear vinyl on your boat does scratch easily you can be confident that it is the conventional vinyl.
Care and Cleaning
  1. Preservation of conventional vinyl is best achieved by limited handling to prevent scratching.
  2. Preferred method of opening panels is by snapping open in a flat position to prevent vinyl to vinyl contact.
  3. Next preferred opening is to use a piece of white flannel obtained from a fabric store and cut to size of panel. When rolling panel up, first flip small portion of flannel over zipper teeth that form the bottom of the panel, then roll panel and flannel up. This method prevents vinyl to vinyl contact and removes the majority of moisture. The flannel is easily washed or replaced as needed.
  4. Rinse panel with clear water and use a wet soft diaper or lamb's wool mitt to help dislodge salt and accumulated dirt after each use, and periodically. Most soaps tend to dry out the vinyl and leave a filmy haze.
  5. The following cleaners are among those recommended for more extensive cleaning; in addition they leave a water repellant finish: EZ2CY® Yacht Enclosure Cleaner and Polish, AQUATECH® cleaner and protectant, and 210 cleaner/polish. Use a soft diaper or flannel cloth, one to apply and one to polish.
  6. Waxing of your enclosure with a good carnauba wax can also be helpful for shedding water and filling slight scratches.

IMPORTANT NOTE: RainX is no longer for use on any plastics! Recent bottles announce "for glass only".

EZ2CY® Enclosures
Identification
EZ2CY® patented enclosures came to be in 1989 and are easily recognized by their clarity and lack of distortion. EZ2CY® utilizes Acrylic and is currently the clearest and inherently most UV resistant of any enclosure available! These semi-rigid panels are typically marked in the upper left hand corner with the EZ2CY® name. Panels produced prior to 1992 went under the name Clearview and are also marked on the upper left. A call to the corporate office can usually identify which office installed your enclosure and the date. EZ2CY® is quite resistant to scratching, easily washed and exceptional when waxed. Scratches that do occur can normally be removed with compounds. Many enclosures done on charter boats in 1990 are still serving their owners well and remain as clear as real glass. However, when improperly handled or exposed to adverse chemicals, EZ2CY® Panels can break.

Care and Cleaning

  1. When opening EZ2CY® Panels, it is important to slow the boat down to alleviate wind pressure and open zippers completely while maintaining control of the panel. Slide open or pull the panel in and up to ceiling and fasten all opener snaps.
  2. Individual panels should be fully open or completely closed. They should not be partially opened!
  3. Panels which have accumulated dirt and salt can be washed with a SWOBBIT® and most boat soaps. Drying of panels can easily be accomplished with a "dry wipe" squeegee from SWOBBIT® company.
  4. The following cleaners are among those recommended for more extensive cleaning. In addition they leave a water repellant finish all in one step: EZ2CY® Yacht Enclosure Cleaner and Polish, AQUATECH cleaner/polish, Plexus, and 210 cleaner/polish. Bounty paper towels are recommended for this procedure.
  5. If you wish, you may wax your enclosure with a good carnauba wax.
  6. Scratches can be readily compounded out using compounds from AQUATECH® or 3M® Finnese. Most can be removed by hand; deeper scratches may require a buffer with lamb's wool pad. Keep panel moist while working compound. Follow with a rinse of fresh water and one of the polishes named above.

Sewable Polycarbonate
Identification
After the introduction of EZ2CY® in 1989, companies began trying to emulate the EZ2CY® appearance. While not as clear, thin polycarbonate (.020, .030) that could be sewn initially offered the semirigid look, and clarity that was better than conventional vinyl. It was soon learned that this look was short-lived. Polycarbonate scratches easily and turns a nice yellow when subjected to UV. The sound of a large tin sheet shaken back and forth is another telltale sign of this polycarbonate when the wind rattles a panel.

Care and Cleaning

  1. If at all possible, protect the panels from the sun when not in use by covering with a soft washed bed sheet.
  2. Keep handling to a minimum to avoid scratching. Do not roll panels! It is best to snap panels open in a flat position.
  3. Because polycarbonate is readily attacked by hydrocarbons (diesel and its by-products) it is best to clean the enclosure thoroughly after each use on a diesel powered boat.
  4. Use of light pressure and a wet soft diaper or lamb's wool mitt while rinsing with clean water will help to dislodge salt and dust.
  5. Dry thoroughly with soft chamois to avoid water-spots. Water-spots are difficult to remove!
  6. The following cleaners are recommended for more extensive cleaning: EZ2CY® Yacht Enclosure Cleaner and Polish, Plexus® or 210® cleaner/polish.

STRATAGLASS
Identification
Introduced at the 1994 Miami International Boat Show, STRATAGLASS® is a coated pressed polished conventional vinyl. The coating makes the vinyl more scratch resistant. It is virtually impossible to tell STRATAGLASS® from conventional vinyl by simply looking at it. To test, pick an inconspicuous area and rub lightly with a Scotch® pad such as that used to clean pans. If it does not scratch, the product is either STRATAGLASS® or the more recently introduced ULTRASHIELD®.

Care and Cleaning

  1. The coating is scratch resistant, not scratch proof. Curtains must be handled with extreme care!
  2. Never roll up with salt or grit on surface.
  3. Preferred method of opening panels is by snapping open in a flat position to prevent vinyl to vinyl contact.
  4. Next preferred opening is to use a piece of white flannel obtained from a fabric store and cut to size of panel. When rolling panel up, first flip small portion of flannel over zipper teeth that form the bottom of the panel, then roll panel and flannel up. This method prevents vinyl to vinyl contact and removes the majority of moisture. The flannel is easily washed or replaced as needed.
  5. It is very important that all curtains be in the closed position daily to maintain shape and minimize distortion.
  6. Panels should be washed with a SWOBBIT® and mild soap after each use. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Drying of panels can easily be accomplished with a "dry wipe" squeegee from the SWOBBIT® company. Do not let soap dry on surface!
  7. Limit extensive cleaning in order to prevent damaging the product. Use AQUATECH® cleaner.
  8. Literature from STRATAGLASS® indicates that waxes, polishes and scratch removers should not be used. Also, do not use any abrasives - scratches in the coating are permanent.

Barrett Enclosures
Identification
Barrett Enclosures' version of semi-rigid enclosures is a semi-rigid clear product bonded between two pieces of fabric with a hole simply cut for the window. Barrett panels are easily recognized by the resulting raw fabric edge bordering the clear panel. Barrett Enclosures has utilized many different clear products including polycarbonate, modified acrylic, coated polycarbonate, copolyester, UV treated copolyester and possibly others. Due to the many various products utilized, specific cleaning instructions are not possible.

Care and Cleaning
The coated polycarbonate used is more scratch resistant, however this coating may be on one side only. If you can determine the month and year when your enclosure was fabricated, Barrett may be able to identify what product was used at that time. This can be helpful for a specific cleaning problem. The following practice is common to most of the clear products known to be utilized by Barrett. Keep handling to a minimum to avoid scratching. Barrett's web site recommends the following cleaning instructions for the HYZOD®AR and Sunlife® polycarbonate being utilized as of 1/14/2001:

  1. Rinse with lukewarm water before applying cleaning products.
  2. Use clean soft cloths or sponges for application of cleaners, and again for washing and rinsing.
  3. Don't use abrasives or high alkaline cleaners.
  4. Don't leave cleaners on sheet for long periods; wash immediately.
  5. Don't apply cleaners in direct sunlight or at elevated temperatures.
  6. Don't use squeegees, brushes or paper towels.
  7. Wash from side to side only, not vertically.
  8. The following cleaners are among those recommended for use: Mermaids plastic cleaner, Top Job, and most mild dish detergents.
  9. Use of automotive polish applied and removed with a soft, clean cloth will help fill scratches. (Novus® plastic polish #1, Johnson® paste wax, Mirror Glaze #10 plastic polish, for example.) Do not use abrasive plastic polishes.

IMPORTANT NOTE: These suggested cleaning methods are for the clear product being utilized as of 1/14/2001. Check and confirm what product was used on your vessel!

Conclusion
We sincerely hope that this information has been informative and useful to you. As always, if you have a question, believe any information is incorrect, or would like to comment, please talk to our Vice President of Development, Jeff Smith.  Send an e-mail to jsmith@ez2cy.com or call directly at 800-448-4317.

IMPORTANT: The information and statements contained herein are not to be taken as a warranty or representation for which we assume legal responsibility nor as permission to practice any patented invention without a license. The information is offered solely for your consideration, investigation and verification. Users should perform their own testing and verification to determine the applicability and suitability of the information and any products for their particular purpose. Information about products other than EZ2CY® was obtained from their respective web sites.