The short answer: rinse the clears with plenty of fresh water to float off salt and grit, clean them with a dedicated clears cleaner and a soft microfibre towel, then apply a clears polish to protect them. Never wipe clears while they're dry or dusty, because salt crystals act like sandpaper.
Why boat clears need special care
Clear vinyl and Strataglass are much softer than glass. Household glass cleaners, paper towel and dry wiping all leave fine scratches that build up into haze. Salt left to dry on the clears makes it worse.
What you'll need
- Captain Clears Protective Cleaner to remove salt, grime and water spots
- Captain Clears Polish, designed for Strataglass, Isinglass and other marine clear surfaces
- Clean, soft microfibre towels
The Captain Clears Clean & Protect Kit includes both the cleaner and the polish.
Step by step
- Rinse first. Flood the clears with fresh water to lift salt and grit. Don't touch them yet.
- Clean. Spray Captain Clears Protective Cleaner and wipe gently in straight lines with a clean microfibre towel.
- Dry gently. Pat or lightly wipe dry with a second clean towel.
- Polish and protect. Apply Captain Clears Polish to restore clarity and leave a protective barrier against UV, salt and water.
Tips
- Clean clears after every saltwater trip, not just when they look bad.
- Keep separate towels for clears, and wash them without fabric softener.
- Never use ammonia-based glass cleaners, abrasive pads or paper towel on clears.
Washing the whole boat? See how to wash and flush a boat after saltwater.
