Canvas and isinglass help

[bigeasy1]

I need some input on a clear isinglass for replacement on my canvas top on my Tsunami.
This top is only five years old,and the canvas itself is in perfect shape.I had a local guy(a friend)make the system,with Seamark Sunbrella.
Seamark, is Sunbrella fabric with a layer of vinyl on the inside.It's 100% waterproof and extremely durable

So, my problem isnt with the canvas,its with the thread used for the stitching.It's starting to fail in several areas.It's just falling apart. I asked him what he uses for thread,to which he told me that he uses a nylon thread.I don't know if it's because it sits uncovered from spring to fall and the sun is degrading the thread and stitching or what,but it's become a problem.I went to clean one of the clear isinglass panels above the windshield,and it almost fell out from rotted thread.

The boat is 6-1/2 hours from my house,and I'm not going to bring the top home,so I found a local boat canvas guy up where I keep the boat,that told me he could restitch it with a Teflon Marine thread by the name of Solarfix. It carries a lifetime warranty and isnt affected by the weather or mildew.

One of the other problems is the isinglass in the front,above the windshield.The panels(3 of them)have become so cloudy that I can barely see out of them.
I tried the Flitz polish with the buffer ball(as seen on ship shape tv) and it did a good job,but it doesn't last.
I'm not sure what he used for the isinglass,but I need to replace it,and not sure what to use.In the morning when we head out,the condensation on the glass makes it tough to see,so I need all the vision I can get.

****Anyone have any input or experience with this Solarfix Teflon Thread? and what would you suggest for the isnglass above the windshield.I hear that Strata Glass is good but expensive.Also gave some thought to maybe a piece of canvas that could be zipped over the front panels when I'm not using the boat.It may protect the clear plastic from the elements,like UV. Or possibly zip out clear plastic panels(nice on a hot day)and a solid piece of canvas that could be zipped in when its not in use.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or opinions. Thanks all.

Here's a couple pictures that shows the front panels and most of the canvas.

[DonV]

"I tried the Flitz polish with the buffer ball(as seen on ship shape tv)"

Don't take this wrong, however Ship Shape TV has gone to hell.....just my opinion. They used to have some cool projects and good information how to do, start to finish. Now it's just a commercial for whatever company gives him free stuff for his boats or home.

[bigeasy1]

Originally Posted by DonV

"I tried the Flitz polish with the buffer ball(as seen on ship shape tv)"

Don't take this wrong, however Ship Shape TV has gone to hell.....just my opinion. They used to have some cool projects and good information how to do, start to finish. Now it's just a commercial for whatever company gives him free stuff for his boats or home.

You got that right.I just figured that I had nothing to lose by trying it.The show is,as you say one big infomercial,especially for Sunbrella.God,how many trips to the sunbrella factory can they take.Enough already.
Actually as of last week,Dish network dropped the channel it was on,ccsn (comcast sports),so I don't get it any longer.No big loss.

[Mikem8560]

the problem ive seen although seamark is a great canvas it dosent breath as im sure you know if you don't clean it regularly it grows mold spots I know my old trawlers did and about 5 years is normal in new England for the poly thread to fail you could resew it with the same or if you plan to keep the boat spend a bit more for the good thread with solrfix is. a ptfe thread I use it I like it much better then tenara thread it sew much smoother. as for your window strataglas may be a bit mich but it is super clear I use no less then a 40 guage double polished vinyl myself

oh btw as you may figure I am a canvasser upholsterer
just sondering did they use the seamark for the aft curtain also it isn't recommended by seamark as you need some breathable canvas on the boat

[bigeasy1]

Originally Posted by Mikem8560

the problem ive seen although seamark is a great canvas it dosent breath as im sure you know if you don't clean it regularly it grows mold spots I know my old trawlers did and about 5 years is normal in new England for the poly thread to fail you could resew it with the same or if you plan to keep the boat spend a bit more for the good thread with solrfix is. a ptfe thread I use it I like it much better then tenara thread it sew much smoother. as for your window strataglas may be a bit mich but it is super clear I use no less then a 40 guage double polished vinyl myself

oh btw as you may figure I am a canvasser upholsterer
just sondering did they use the seamark for the aft curtain also it isn't recommended by seamark as you need some breathable canvas on the boat

Mike,Thanks so much for the great info.Yes,I am familiar with the mold problem,and yes they did use the Seamark for the aft curtain as well as everything else.
I can't blame the fabricator as I'm the one who wanted the seamark,and requested he use it.
I wanted something that was completely waterproof,yet soft.I had used "Top Gun" fabric on previous boats,and it was tough,but very stiff.I figured the Sunbrella Seamark would be softer yet still completely waterproof.It is all of that,but it looks like I should have done a bit more research.
I still love it though,and as I mentioned,it's still in excellant condition other than the thread and clear plastic.

As for the mold,I found that a product by MDR called amazon mildew stain remover does a spectacular job in removing the mold and mildew,and it's a non chlorine product.
After the mildew is removed I apply a coat of 3M mildew block. It's a spray on or sponge on clear liquid that works extremely well in preventing mildew from reoccuring.It will easily last more than a year.
These two products have been a godsend in controlling and stopping the formation of mildew.I got them from Defender Marine suppy,not cheap($25.00 for both)but worth the price.
I found the biggest mildew problem to be when the boat is closed up for long periods in the hot summer months when it's humid. I don't have that problem when it's shrink wrapped in the fall into spring.

I'm going to have the canvas guy up in Niagara NY(where the boat is), re stitch it with the solarfix thread .that's all he uses,and Ill look into a thicker better grade of isinglass or maybe the Strata glass.
While its there I'll see if he can sew some kind of vents or other form of ventlation in the aft curtain,so that it will breathe better.For now I leave the side curtains open a bit.

Is the Srata glass outrageous in cost?,and do you think it's worth it as compared to a 40 gauge double polished vinyl? Is the weatherability any better?

Thanks agian Mike for the help.

[Mikem8560]

thw cost og the strataglass is significantly more as it come in sheet 54" x111" so there is more wayste on some jobs cutting a new sheet just to get a 36 inch piece then then you have a lest over to deal with , a lot of tradesmens have been complaining about the quality of strataglass not eing what it used to be and are switinch to comparable product such as O Sea vinyl but for your canvas if it was mine id go with a 40guage double polished vinyl I only used strataglass for my t top rnclosure as I had some small leftover pieces

[bigeasy1]

I'm bringing this old thread up as I finally made a decision.

Originally Posted by Mikem8560

thw cost og the strataglass is significantly more as it come in sheet 54" x111" so there is more wayste on some jobs cutting a new sheet just to get a 36 inch piece then then you have a lest over to deal with , a lot of tradesmens have been complaining about the quality of strataglass not eing what it used to be and are switinch to comparable product such as O Sea vinyl but for your canvas if it was mine id go with a 40guage double polished vinyl I only used strataglass for my t top rnclosure as I had some small leftover pieces

Well,I finally had a local canvas guy up in western NY take a look at my canvas stitching,and clear isinglass.
He seems well qualified,showed me several boats and references for his work and all were very good.As you mentioned Mikem,the Strata glass was extremely expensive as compared to the other plastics,and he felt that in my use it would not be worth the price.I ended up going with the 40 ga.
He also told me that I should not have used the seamark for the aft curtain,as it doesn't breathe.
So here's the deal. He's going to re-stitch every single seam where ever there is stitching on the canvas and the ising glass with the "SOLAR FIX" thread.
He is going to install some clam shell vents on the aft curtain,and he is going to replace the three windows above the windows with the 40ga polished clear vinyl.

I was kind of shocked by the price of $825.00 as The guy who made the the entire top and isinglass charged me a bit under $1,500 total.
Oh well this guy was very professional and polite,and I felt that he was also honest,as he was recommended by some very picky other boat owners I know.
If I was younger,and in better health,I'd spend some time fabricating a hardtop pf some sort,but my days of being physically able to do that kind of work are far behind me.

Thanks to all for the good info.