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The company says the
chemical bond in the glass forms a “hydrophobic barrier” and
creates large beads because the water droplets maintain about a 118-degree
angle to the pane’s surface (typically water clings to glass and
sits at an angle of about 15 degrees). Whatever the angle, one thing was
certain: The water streamed off like a sprinter doing the 100-meter. Sparaco
claims that if a boater was running a vessel through bad weather, a treated
window might not even need windshield wipers (although Sparaco and I say
if you got ‘em, use ‘em).
However, the ability
to run through bad weather without wipers isn’t the only advantage
claimed for this technology. Sparaco says that a treated window is a clearer
window and therefore enhances visibility. A Diamon-Fusion-treated pane
is also supposed to resist mildew and scratching, which means a longer
life for your vessel’s glass. In other words, lower maintenance costs.
The company says you
can use any glass cleaner to keep a Diamon-Fusion-treated pane clean.
It does, however, offer a liquid maintenance product, which you can apply
and wipe off with a rag and is said to help maintain the luster gained
by the chemical-bonding process.
So it’s easy to
apply and maintain, and it seems to offer numerous benefits. Where do
you sign up?
Ah, therein lies the
rub. Diamon-Fusion’s technology isn’t available as an after-market
product since, as explained earlier, it works best on new windows. Sparaco
says that while you could treat a “contaminated” piece of glass
on an older boat, the results wouldn’t be as good as if you treated
an uncontaminated piece. So while you can’t exactly get this technology
for your boat by calling your repair yard tomorrow, steps are being taken
to help make this process readily available for your next boat.
Diamon-FusionUSA recently
completed successful beta testing withTaylor Made Systems, a major supplier
of boat windshields, and is implementing a test program with some boatbuilders
to show the long-term benefits of this process. And check out the PMY
Web site for an upcoming video on PMY TV, where we’ll put
Diamon-Fusion through the gauntlet onboard our own test boat. Since the
process is best done at the point the glass is manufactured, Diamon-FusionUSA
is seeking to get OEMs onboard to offer its system as an option, just
like an electronics package or a tuna tower. In addition, Diamon-FusionUSA
is reported to be franchising the system around the United States to help
expand its network of trained technicians and to ensure the technology
is available to more boat owners.
The company is currently
exhibiting its product at boat shows around the country. If you get the
chance, I suggest stopping by and watching a demonstration. After all,
as they say, seeing is believing.
Diamon-FusionUSA
Phone: (866) DIAMON-1. www.diamonfusionusa.com.
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