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sailorboy1 · 21-07-2022, 12:37

Time to be thinking or replacing the acrylic in my hatches. Since the damage they experience is mainly UV I would think there would be some type of UV protective film that can be applied to the outside of them and a general web search seems to come up with some.

Has anyone here tried this?

Chotu · 21-07-2022, 13:00

There is, of course, UV protected acrylic as well. That comes like that to begin with. My whole boat is UV protected polycarbonate.

thinwater · 21-07-2022, 13:16

I have been testing films on roof exposure racks for several years.

With good quality acrylic I probably would not bother.
Use ONLY films that are rated for plastics. Others will bubble. Polyurethane will hold up better than polyester/Mylar in this application.

Vvivid is probably your best bet. They make films for plastic headlights (why you would want tint on headlights is beyond me). They have held up for ! 3 years at this point, and still peal off with no residue at this time.

And remove them BEFORE the film fails. Like any SA sticker, once they start to checker it will be a battle and lens damamge is likely.

phantomracer · 22-07-2022, 08:09

another vote for vivid. I put this on my deck hatch , both sides! It just was not wide enough to cover the deck hatch width, so I needed 2 strips Not the end of the world. Also put it on the dead lights on the outside. seems to be holding up well... at least for 3 months

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08428KHKS

phantomracer · 22-07-2022, 08:12

Also, the previous owner replaced the windows in our boat with plexiglass instead of arcrylic. Looking like new new after 30 odd years

Sailorman Ed · 23-07-2022, 10:49

Quote:

previous owner replaced the windows in our boat with plexiglass instead of acrylic

Plexiglass is one brand of acrylic. Note that cast acrylic is more durable than extruded acrylic. Not quite as impact resistant as polycarbonate ( Lexan) but holds up MUCH better to UV.

Chotu · 23-07-2022, 11:13

Again:

everything holds up exactly the same to UV. It’s impervious. As long as you buy the correct stock to begin with. Just buy the UV protected version of whatever plastic you want and it doesn’t have a problem.

All of the plastics come either plain or with UV protection built right into it. Just get the right stuff and don’t worry about all of this.

Polycarbonate or acrylic doesn't matter at all f you get the right stuff.

phantomracer · 23-07-2022, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailorman Ed

Plexiglass is one brand of acrylic. Note that cast acrylic is more durable than extruded acrylic. Not quite as impact resistant as polycarbonate ( Lexan) but holds up MUCH better to UV.

yea sorry brain cramp.. meant lexan. The plexiglass on out boat was put in about 1992 and is about 1/2" thick. still looks new

Rumrace · 23-07-2022, 12:20

I had a guest have a panic attack in the front berth and pop the glass out of a hatch. IM pretty handy with stuff and I plain gave and sent the hatch in to be restored. Came back brandnew used inside and out. They replaced the sliding screen and blind also

John_Trusty · 23-07-2022, 14:09

Who did the work for you?

**JPA Cate** · 23-07-2022, 14:42

If this is a retro-fit of ? to stop UV induced fading below decks as well as to protect the acrylic, then i would suggest having covers made to do the job, or make them yourself. Mine, I made out of Breezeway, a pvc shade cloth, with sunbrella around the edges, with a lightweight bungee to snap them over the hatch. I recycle my old boom bag sunbrella for projects like covering cockpit cushions, etc. An unanticipated side effect was to cool it a bit belowdecks. It protects the acrylic of the hatch, and has stopped fading photos and fabrics below.

Ann

P.S. Nice to see you back.

sailingchiro · 23-07-2022, 16:23

I am installing perforated vinyl to limit light in on all my hatches and salon windows. It comes in different perforations depending upon how much light you want in. Kinda like the phifertex.

Matt Johnson · 24-07-2022, 05:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingchiro

I am installing perforated vinyl to limit light in on all my hatches and salon windows. It comes in different perforations depending upon how much light you want in. Kinda like the phifertex.

We used phifertex and had little cross hatch pattern etched into the acrylic from UV - and yes, it was UV resistant acrylic. I suggest keep swapping the covers to other hatches to prevent the pattern from forming.

Disailor · 24-07-2022, 05:56

[QUOTE=thinwater;3656516]I have been testing films on roof exposure racks for several years.

With good quality acrylic I probably would not bother.
Use ONLY films that are rated for plastics. Others will bubble. Polyurethane will hold up better than polyester/Mylar in this application.

Vvivid is probably your best bet. They make films for plastic headlights (why you would want tint on headlights is beyond me). They have held up for ! 3 years at this point, and still peal off with no residue at this time.

I've had good results with applying sunscreen spf50 as well as ArmorAll