Cleaning Boat Windscreens: Do’s and Don’ts

When maintaining a boat, the cleaning of windshields and windows should never be overlooked, as they also take punishment and deserve attention.

While we think about car windshields and windows as easy and straightforward to clean, boat windscreens require a little more diligence, especially the ones made of vinyl. Boat windscreens are of course designed for marine use, and therefore glass household cleaning products like Windex aren't recommended.

Care varies by the material the windscreen is made of, with the two most common being vinyl and acrylic. Like with anything else, proper cleaning and maintenance will prolong the life of your boat’s windshields and windows. With that in mind, here are some do’s and don’ts for cleaning three types of windscreens on a boat.

Acrylic Boat Windscreen Cleaning Do’s and Don’ts

Acrylic is often preferred over glass for boats because it’s more lightweight, and easier and cheaper to replace if it cracks or breaks. Dirt and salt can easily scratch acrylic, so it’s important to rinse acrylic windscreens often with fresh water to prevent scratches and hardening.

Cleaning acrylic isn’t anything like cleaning glass either, which means an ammonia-based glass cleaner like Windex and paper towels won’t do. There are really only two basic rules for cleaning acrylic: don’t scratch it and don’t use chemicals. Here are some do’s and don’ts for cleaning acrylic boat windscreens/windows.

DO

• Use fresh water and a clean soft cloth to wash the surface.
• Use mild soap and water to remove tough stains, dead bugs and dirt.
• Remove deep scratches by wet sanding with fine-grit sandpaper before polishing. 

DON’T

• Use household window cleaners, detergents or all-purpose cleaners, as they can damage acrylics like Plexiglas.
• Use a dry cloth or paper towels to wipe off the acrylic, as they can also scratch the surface or push dirt into the acrylic
• Use hard sponges or steel wool to remove scratches. 
• Rub the surface, as this can scratch the acrylic and hinder its visibility. 

While all-purpose cleaners aren’t recommended, there are some multi-purpose and vinyl cleaners designed for marine applications that are safe to use on acrylic and other plastic surfaces.

Vinyl Boat Windscreen Cleaning Do’s and Don’ts

Vinyl windshields and windows aren’t as easy to clean as acrylic. Walk down any marina and you’ll likely see plenty of neglected, sometimes yellowish vinyl windscreens. 

One of the biggest drawbacks to vinyl is that constant exposure to sunlight causes the material to turn yellow or opaque and brittle. Another thing to consider is the manufacturer’s warranty. Some brands recommend specific cleaners in order to not void the vinyl’s warranty. Here are some do’s and don’ts for cleaning vinyl boat windscreens/windows.

DO

• Wash your hands before cleaning vinyl windscreens.
• Thoroughly wash and dry the vinyl before applying any vinyl treatments.
• Apply vinyl treatment to both sides of the vinyl, per the instructions on the label.
• Pat-dry the vinyl surface with a soft cloth to prevent spotting. 
• Protect the vinyl from waterproofing treatments used on the canvas.
• Use a hard water spot remover with wax sealant for set-in water spots.

DON’T

• Use household glass cleaners (especially those with ammonia), detergents or all-purpose cleaners, as they can damage the vinyl.
• Use soap unless it’s absolutely necessary, as too much of it can weaken the plasticizers in the vinyl. 
• Use paper towels or harsh cloths on the vinyl, as they will scratch the surface.
• Spray bug repellents on vinyl windshields/windows
• Clean the vinyl with sunscreen on your skin, as the chemicals in it can fog clear vinyl and leave permanent handprints. 

Although all-purpose cleaners aren’t recommended for vinyl, there are some multi-purpose cleaners with UV blockers designed for marine use that prevent fading and cracking, and are safe to use on vinyl.

Glass Boat Windscreen Cleaning Do’s and Don’ts

Cleaning glass windscreens on a boat is (no pun intended) pretty cut and dry. Soap and water pretty much does the trick, but nevertheless, here are some do’s and don’ts for cleaning glass windscreens.

DO

• Use a bucket with warm water and a few drops of soap. 
• Use a soft brush, sponge or cloth in a circular motion to gently scrub the soap onto the windshield.
• Rinse the windshield thoroughly with clean water from a hose. 
• Let the window/windshield air dry or use a clean towel to dry it off.
• Clean the glass in a shaded area so that the cleaner doesn’t evaporate too soon. 

DON’T

• Wear rings, watches or other hand/wrist jewelry while cleaning glass to avoid scratching it. 
• Use Windex or any other ammonia-based window cleaner on a boat windshield, as ammonia will damage the sealant around the window/windshield.

If the glass on your boat’s windows or windshield has gotten too cloudy, mix a small amount of vinegar into water and pour the solution into a spray bottle, then spray it on the glass and wipe it off with a soft cloth. You can also use rubbing alcohol to clean the cloudy glass, then buff it out with a dry cloth to remove streaks.