How to Repair Scratched Acrylic Windows
For the past thirty years or so, caravans in the UK have been supplied with double glazed acrylic windows.
These have been a great benefit to caravan owners as they are lighter and have superior thermal insulation qualities than the traditional glass windows previously used.
However, they have one major disadvantage over glass, they scratch very easily.
For example, many a holiday maker has taken their caravan along narrow country lanes only to find when they reach their destination there are a multitude of scratches on the side windows which have come into contact with low hanging tree branches.
People with scratched caravan windows have found that they are very costly to replace.
It is not unusual for a single side window to cost over £600.
Replacement becomes very costly if two or three windows are damaged at the same time.
It is no wonder why many caravan owners decide to just live with scratched acrylic windows.
However, with the right know how and correct equipment, it is possible to repair scratches in caravan windows.
It is possible to carry out caravan acrylic window repairs by hand, but better results in a shorter period of time can be achieved by using a variable speed detail sander with three inch disks.
Follow a methodical approach using finer grade disks at each stage.
Start with a 180 grade disk.
Using a circular motion work over the scratches and keep the sander moving at all times.
Do not apply too much pressure or concentrate on just one area as it is possible to burn the acrylic.
The 180 disk will remove the deep scratches but it will make scratches of its own and make the acrylic opaque.
This is ok.
Now repeat the excise using a 320 grade disk.
This will remove the 180 grade scratches and leave finer grade scratches.
Repeat again using 500 then 1000 grade disks.
By this stage all the opaqueness will have gone and only very fine scratches remain.
These can be moved using a 3000 grade wet and dry pad.
Apply a spray of water whilst working on this stage.
By now all the scratches will be removed.
The final stage is to apply polish at a low speed which will make the window shine and look as good as new.
It is important not to rush through the stages, nor miss out a stage as the scratches are gradually reduced.
Each stage should show a visible improvement over the previous stage.
If there is no visible improvement then repeat the stage.
This process if carried out correctly will repair scratches in caravan windows.
Be aware though that if the window is cracked through one of the two skins it is not safe to repair.
If the window is this badly damaged it should be replaced.
So now you know how to repair scratched acrylic windows.
Those trips along narrow winding country roads should not be so intimidating in the future because you know that if you have a mishap with overhanging branches, you can repair the damage when you get back home.
These have been a great benefit to caravan owners as they are lighter and have superior thermal insulation qualities than the traditional glass windows previously used.
However, they have one major disadvantage over glass, they scratch very easily.
For example, many a holiday maker has taken their caravan along narrow country lanes only to find when they reach their destination there are a multitude of scratches on the side windows which have come into contact with low hanging tree branches.
People with scratched caravan windows have found that they are very costly to replace.
It is not unusual for a single side window to cost over £600.
Replacement becomes very costly if two or three windows are damaged at the same time.
It is no wonder why many caravan owners decide to just live with scratched acrylic windows.
However, with the right know how and correct equipment, it is possible to repair scratches in caravan windows.
It is possible to carry out caravan acrylic window repairs by hand, but better results in a shorter period of time can be achieved by using a variable speed detail sander with three inch disks.
Follow a methodical approach using finer grade disks at each stage.
Start with a 180 grade disk.
Using a circular motion work over the scratches and keep the sander moving at all times.
Do not apply too much pressure or concentrate on just one area as it is possible to burn the acrylic.
The 180 disk will remove the deep scratches but it will make scratches of its own and make the acrylic opaque.
This is ok.
Now repeat the excise using a 320 grade disk.
This will remove the 180 grade scratches and leave finer grade scratches.
Repeat again using 500 then 1000 grade disks.
By this stage all the opaqueness will have gone and only very fine scratches remain.
These can be moved using a 3000 grade wet and dry pad.
Apply a spray of water whilst working on this stage.
By now all the scratches will be removed.
The final stage is to apply polish at a low speed which will make the window shine and look as good as new.
It is important not to rush through the stages, nor miss out a stage as the scratches are gradually reduced.
Each stage should show a visible improvement over the previous stage.
If there is no visible improvement then repeat the stage.
This process if carried out correctly will repair scratches in caravan windows.
Be aware though that if the window is cracked through one of the two skins it is not safe to repair.
If the window is this badly damaged it should be replaced.
So now you know how to repair scratched acrylic windows.
Those trips along narrow winding country roads should not be so intimidating in the future because you know that if you have a mishap with overhanging branches, you can repair the damage when you get back home.
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