You’ll also see vinyl thickness referred to in mls. This is similar to but NOT the same as the gauge measurement.
All the gauges are waterproof and can withstand very hot and cold temperatures. Clear vinyl also provides some UV protection and is non-yellowing.
Our vinyl is sold by the yard and comes in 54″ widths.
With the different variety of gauges offered, there are endless uses for this clear vinyl.
- the weight is perfect and holds up to the window
- Indoor and Outdoor Heavy-Duty Vinyl Sheeting
- Crystal Clear Plastic Vinyl
- This clear vinyl is a general purpose product. Waves and slight distortions may be present as a result of the manufacturing process, but are not considered to be defects.
- Clear Vinyl is lightweight and flexible, but also tough and durable. This vinyl is making it great for larger projects, like winterizing screened porches and patios or protecting tables and furniture. It can withstand cold temperatures as low as degrees.
Uses
WINDOWS
Use the 30, 40, or 60 gauge vinyl for windows on boats, tents, tractors, sheds, and other places where a non-glass window is needed.
Thin to medium gauges are great for windows in garment bags, under bed storage, and similar items were a clear window is handy for being able to see what’s inside.
TABLETOP PROTECTION
Another common use for clear vinyl is protecting tables. If you want to protect a tablecloth or you want the vinyl to hang like a tablecloth, lighter gauges like 4, 6, or 8 work well.
If you want to cut the vinyl to the size of the table or desk to use as a protective pad, the 40 or 60 gauge are probably what you’re looking for.
FURNITURE PROTECTION
When you think clear vinyl, you may think of grandma’s living room’s plastic covered sofas. And you can definitely use this clear vinyl for that! Use light to medium gauges for clear vinyl slipcovers to protect furniture from kids and pets.
STORM WINDOWS AND WINTERIZATION
A common question is what gauge should be used. All gauges will do the job and can be used in different circumstances. For storm windows and frames, lower gauges are more popular from about 6 to 16 gauge. This is especially true if you’re using a screen window and spline to hold it in because the vinyl has to be thin enough to work with the spline.
For roll up porch protectors, medium gauges work well.
If you want more heavy duty protection, the higher gauges are the better option. 30 and 40 gauge vinyl are the best for extremely low temperatures. Since the higher gauges are stiff, they are better for when you want a more rigid vinyl. They are good for stapling or nailing to porch or patio posts.
There are many ways you can use clear vinyl to winterize, so there isn’t one answer to which gauge is best. It depends on what you’re looking for and how you are going to apply the vinyl. You probably won’t go wrong with a medium gauge like 12, 16, or 20.
Working with Clear Vinyl
CUTTING
All our gauges can be cut easily with scissors, even the 60 gauge.
SEWING
Most gauges can be sewn with a regular sewing machine. For outdoor use, we recommend bonded nylon thread because it is strong and weather resistant.
For other uses that don’t require high strength, like bag liners, ID or photo holder, and tablecloths, the regular All-Purpose Polyester Thread is fine.
Universal needles work well. Like other fabrics, use smaller needles for thinner vinyl and larger for thicker. Use size 16 or 18 when using nylon thread.
Keep in mind, sewing will create small holes making it not 100% waterproof. Likewise, it’s best to hold together layers of vinyl with clips instead of pins because pinning will create permanent holes.
A regular sewing foot is often fine, but a Teflon or roller foot works the best.
For some applications you can use clear tape to attach pieces of vinyl together.
CLEANING
We suggest rinsing it, then polishing dry with a soft cotton cloth or microfiber cloth. You may also use a vinyl cleaner for some applications.
TEMPERATURE
Each gauge of vinyl has a cold crack rating. This is determined with an impact test or by sharply folding the vinyl. The vinyl will become more brittle the colder it gets, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will crack. If you’re not handling it roughly, it may be fine in colder temperatures.
The cold crack temperature is 0° F for all gauges up to the 30 gauge. The 30 gauge rating is -29° F, 40 gauge is -30° F, and the 60 gauge is -10° F.