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Makrolon VR experience anyone
Posted: January 28th, 2019, 2:09 pm
by cpoint
Hi to all. Been awhile since I posted anything. We replaced our vinyl windows on the carver 356 last year, must have gotten the wrong vinyl, they turned bad real fast, some panels I can't see thru. Anyway, I am looking at alternative material, and kind of settled for Makrolon. Specifically "Makrolon VR" which is apparently some what flexible enough to roll unlike the none VR version. Apparently it can be cut, sewn fairly easy. Has anyone used this material, do you have any pics, comments on it? Thanks in advance.
Re: Makrolon VR experience anyone
Posted: January 28th, 2019, 4:13 pm
by Cooler
Hello cpoint. Surprising you got only 1 season out of your windows. I have not personally used Mak VR. A customer of our marine store used it, and was disappointed with it's flexibility. Smaller pieces did not roll up. He only tried it on some smaller windows before making commitment to windshield type applications. He stuck with Strataglass as it provided him with the durability and clarity he wanted, and maintained the flexibility to roll up the windshield cut outs. I have Strataglass also, totally happy. We are fresh water boaters only. Key to Strata is cleaning/polish using the recommended products. The previous owner of my boat used Plexus cleaner, and I could see a slight haze starting. I switched to Imar, and the haze is getting cleared up after a couple of applications. Strataglass publishes warnings on cleaning products. I have also had Isenglass, but was disappointed in how easy it scratched and got smokey after just a single season. Good luck with your project!
er
Re: Makrolon VR experience anyone
Posted: January 28th, 2019, 4:16 pm
by bud37
Cant comment on the Makrolon, but,..... would you not have some warranty on your windows?....
Re: Makrolon VR experience anyone
Posted: January 28th, 2019, 4:49 pm
by Midnightsun
Odd, any regular run of the mill vinyl transparent window will last at least 10 if not 15 years assuming you take care of them. That being said the makrolon or similar stuff looks great but is very susceptible to scratching and you do not want to roll them up. Most larger boats that have this flip up inwards and upwards and attach to the ceiling of the hard top.
Re: Makrolon VR experience anyone
Posted: January 29th, 2019, 1:01 am
by cpoint
Cooler wrote:Source of the post Hello cpoint. Surprising you got only 1 season out of your windows. I have not personally used Mak VR. A customer of our marine store used it, and was disappointed with it's flexibility. Smaller pieces did not roll up. He only tried it on some smaller windows before making commitment to windshield type applications. He stuck with Strataglass as it provided him with the durability and clarity he wanted, and maintained the flexibility to roll up the windshield cut outs. I have Strataglass also, totally happy. We are fresh water boaters only. Key to Strata is cleaning/polish using the recommended products. The previous owner of my boat used Plexus cleaner, and I could see a slight haze starting. I switched to Imar, and the haze is getting cleared up after a couple of applications. Strataglass publishes warnings on cleaning products. I have also had Isenglass, but was disappointed in how easy it scratched and got smokey after just a single season. Good luck with your project!
er
Cooler, thanks for info. strataglass maybe an option also. But What I am reading is Makrolon VR is rollable, I think band radius is 4 inches.
Re: Makrolon VR experience anyone
Posted: January 29th, 2019, 1:03 am
by cpoint
bud37 wrote:Source of the post Cant comment on the Makrolon, but,..... would you not have some warranty on your windows?....
Bud, got it off amazon. Sometimes dealing with warranty is more hassle than it is worth. I had not spend too much on it.
Re: Makrolon VR experience anyone
Posted: January 29th, 2019, 1:07 am
by cpoint
Midnightsun wrote:Source of the post Odd, any regular run of the mill vinyl transparent window will last at least 10 if not 15 years assuming you take care of them. That being said the makrolon or similar stuff looks great but is very susceptible to scratching and you do not want to roll them up. Most larger boats that have this flip up inwards and upwards and attach to the ceiling of the hard top.
Makrolon, and anything of that type, I believe either removing panels, or doing flip ups is the way to go. I also think It works better if you have hard top so you can use tracks. Unfortunately I have canvas, so I am looking for creative ways how I can use this harder material. I do like to open up the front and sides when hot. I do like the look of harder material. So I am just looking at alternatives. I have no idea what happened. Not all panels went bad, just 3 of them. I can just replace them, but I just don't like vinyl, it just not like glass, there is always some warping.
Re: Makrolon VR experience anyone
Posted: January 30th, 2019, 10:27 am
by cpoint
Actually looks like around August 2018, Makrolon became TUFFAK VR since Plaskolite purchased them. Anyway after some research, I have decided to give it a try, I will let you know how it turns out.
Re: Makrolon VR experience anyone
Posted: January 30th, 2019, 11:18 am
by Cooler
C - looking forward to your experience! I am retired, but work very part time at a marine store. I never give advice on any product unless I use them first. Second tier of advisory is customer reviews. I would like to know how flexible it is with the windshield and side window flip up cut outs. I have to have that air flow, so I am constantly using zippers. Thanks!
er