vinyl rear window

mid life 5 · Postby **mid life 5** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:35 pm

Hi all, whats the best product to use to clean the rear window, someone told me a mixture of water and metho, is this any good, opinions please cheers peter.

Captain Spank · Postby **Captain Spank** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:11 pm

Funny enough brasso or silvo's pretty good. Was recommended to me on this site when I asked the same question but for a weathered vinyl rear window. Certainly brought it back to life.

Benny · Postby **Benny** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:21 pm

I wouldn't suggest to use metho, or any other alcohol mixture, as this can dry out the plastic and make it hard and brittle.

There are specialist cleaners like Meguirs plastic cleaner and plastic polish and a product from 303 is supposed to work well also.

Glass cleaners are for glass, not plastic.

mid life 5 · Postby **mid life 5** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:12 pm

Bought some mothers plastic polish which worked pretty well, but it still has what looks like glue or something on the window. I tried some brasso that someone suggested, that didn't work so any other suggestions, cheers peter.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:39 pm

The glue I am imagining has a milky appearance- if you cannot detect anything adhering to the window my bet is that the material is deteriorating and not fully recoverable. If it were my vehicle I would go to a motor trimmer one who is familiar with making or repairing soft tops and get an opinion. On the older cars such as MG's and Healeys etc it was not too hard to have the window removed and a new one fitted. If you get a copy of Australian Classic Cars you will pick up a variety of trimmers.

Miata Bart · Postby **Miata Bart** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:08 am

mid life 5 wrote:Bought some mothers plastic polish which worked pretty well, but it still has what looks like glue or something on the window. I tried some brasso that someone suggested, that didn't work so any other suggestions, cheers peter.

I got a lambs wool buff to go on my cordless drill & used it with the maguires plastic polish. That worked great. Still, no matter how good you get it they are pretty sad compared to a glass back one.

Its a fairly labour intensive job to remove the roof section with the plastic in it but it can be done & the whole section that unzips gets replaced. Forget about having someone stitch a new plastic in, they always seem to leak. A complete replacement part is available from mazda though they are not cheap.

Best thing in the world to do if you cant get the plastic cleaned up to your satisfaction is to replace the whole roof with a second hand NB roof & frame. That way you get a glass back top & no more unzipping.

Mania has one off an SE complete on frame for $1150 which is pretty good.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:14 am

Replacing rear windows is not exactly the toughest job on the block. Experienced trimmers make tops for Healeys, Trumpy's, MG's etc, and it was standard practice to replace your tatty window. If the soft top is in good condition I would not be discarding it for the sake of the replaceable window. $1150 is a lot of money in my view. I will stick my neck out and suggest that a trimmer would charge less than $300. Anyway you do your homework and makes your choice

Miata Bart · Postby **Miata Bart** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:19 pm

One thing that makes the MX5 totally different to British sportscars is that the 5 doesnt leak.

Having a trimmer stitch in a new window on your MG and having it leak around the stitching is no big deal because it leaked anyway before you replaced it.

Having owned 2 healeys & an MG & mates owning everything worth a mention British, I know the things leak. They leak water in & oil out.

My first NA had a replacement plastic stitched in by some dilberry & of course, it leaked. I wound up having to smudge silastic into the stitching from both sides. I hated that roof.

The roof is important & so is seeing out of the horrid plastic and staying dry. Best not to do a half assed job.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:54 pm

If you had to buy a new soft top every time the window threw the towel in it would be an expensive proposition. I struggle to believe that it cannot be replaced without leaking. No argument on MX5 versus the old Brits- the technology design and quality of build are generations apart.

doogle · Postby **doogle** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:52 pm

anyone know a DIY replacement guide online or can provide some helpful tips on how to replace the rear window?
i've got a spare at home but not sure where to start, and paying someone to do it is my last option.
thanks :lol:

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:24 pm

Doogle if it requires stitching it in (as opposed to welding) you require an industrial machine and an ability to sew. My advice -go to a good trimmer- as miata bart warned - you want a good job and no leakage. It should not cost too much if you present him with the top and the window.