PVC strip curtains turning yellow, cloudy or brittle in factories in Vietnam are usually caused by UV sunlight, cleaning chemicals, a curtain grade unsuited to the temperature, and forklift impacts. PRIMEAG recommends checking in that order, cleaning with mild soap and replacing only the damaged strips; re-measure anti-static curtains after cleaning and keep them below 1×10⁹ Ω to ground.
A cloudy curtain strip is not just unsightly. At a forklift door, drivers and pedestrians can no longer see each other through the plastic.
- Yellowing: direct sunlight, or hung close to a heat source.
- Cloudy, scratched: solvents, harsh cleaners and vehicle impacts.
- Brittle, cracked: standard grade used in a cold store, or plastic that has lost its plasticiser.
- Anti-static curtains: the wrong cleaner shifts their resistance; re-measure after cleaning.
Why PVC curtains deteriorate
Flexible curtain strip is PVC blended with plasticiser. The plasticiser is not chemically bonded to the resin, so it gradually migrates out; the strip stiffens, turns cloudy and then cracks.
Causes, in the order to check them
1. Direct sunlight and UV
West-facing doors and doors opening onto a yard yellow first. If only the strips on the sunny side are yellow, UV is almost certainly the cause; add a canopy or move the rail indoors.
2. Cleaning chemicals and solvents
Solvents and concentrated cleaners leave the surface dull and tacky; cloudy patches usually sit at hand height, where the strips are wiped most.
3. Curtain grade unsuited to the temperature
Curtains next to ovens, welding machines or drying lamps turn yellow and deform; burning PVC also releases corrosive HCl gas. Conversely, standard PVC used in a cold store becomes stiff and brittle; there you need a cold-resistant PVC curtain.
4. Forklift and trolley impacts
Thin strips at forklift doors get dragged and torn quickly. Pedestrian and hand-trolley doors suit 200 × 2 mm strips; forklift doors and windy openings need 300 × 3 mm strips on a sturdy rail.
5. Too little overlap, loose hangers
With little overlap, wind pushes the strips apart and the edges curl; more overlap seals better but makes passing through heavier. Loose hooks and bent rails tear the hanging holes.
Anti-static curtains: resistance and grounding cord
Flexible PVC typically has a volume resistivity of 10¹²–10¹⁵ Ω·m, in other words it is an insulator. Anti-static curtain contains additives that bring resistance down to 10⁶–10⁹ Ω. The curtain only works when grounded through a metal rail, hooks and a cord to a ground point.
For grid film, install it with the printed grid side facing the grounding eyelet; the clear PVC side behind it has much higher resistance. Do not clean with products containing silicone or wax. Measure with a high-range meter at 10 V/100 V, including the areas that get rubbed most.
Installed curtains can be measured together with mats and benches during PRIMEAG’s free ESD measurement programme: PRIMEAG technicians visit factories in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Dong Nai from Monday to Saturday and measure with a TR1800 and a 5 lb electrode, including curtains bought elsewhere, with no purchase required; a PDF report with readings and photos for each location is ready within 3–5 working days, for reference only.
Cleaning correctly
Use mild soapy water and a soft cloth, wipe along the strip and let it dry. Test any solvent on a corner first. Do not scrub with a stiff brush.
When to replace individual strips
Replace a strip once it is cloudy, heavily scratched, cracked or stiff and brittle. If most strips are like that, replace the whole set and deal with the root cause first.
Choosing the curtain type by location
| Type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Clear | Doors that need see-through visibility, forklift aisles |
| Yellow insect-repellent | Food-area doors, stores near a yard; ask via yellow PVC curtain advice |
| Black | Light blocking, area separation |
| Anti-static | Entrances to component areas; see anti-static PVC curtain and PVC film |
Wet food-processing areas also need moisture-proof LED lights for wet areas. PVC curtains and film are delivered within 24–48 hours across Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Dong Nai; for custom-cut widths, lead time is confirmed when you order.
Frequently asked questions
- Can yellowed PVC strip curtains be cleaned back to clear? — Usually not. Yellowing from UV or heat is inside the plastic, not on the surface; cleaning only removes dust, so yellowed strips should be replaced.
- Do I have to replace the whole curtain if only a few strips are cracked? — No. Each strip hangs independently, so they can be replaced one by one. Replace the whole set only when most strips are cloudy or brittle.
- How often should anti-static curtains be re-tested? — ANSI/ESD S20.20 does not set a frequency; many factories measure curtains together with benches and mats about every 6 months, plus after every cleaning or strip replacement.
Email: info@primeag.vn · Phone/Zalo: +84 906 108 292
Written by the PRIMEAG engineering team
Updated: 2026-10-24