BD Roll bar is in - Initial Softtop issues

RaYmO · Postby **RaYmO** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:06 pm

Hey Guys,

I just got my NA version BD Rollbar installed a few weeks ago and am loving the stiffness of the car now around the twisties!

I've had my hardtop on for a few weeks so haven't been able to drive top down for a while. I tried it on Friday morning and it was great... one thing though.. I pulled up to work that morning and I couldnt get the soft top clips to lock the soft top in place. It was off by 1cm and I couldnt get the clips to grab onto the hook.

I have a vinyl window and I didn't unzip it prior to putting the top down for the hardtop to go over it. Mania advised to roll up a towel (i used a picnic blanket) and stick it with the window as it is retracted to stop it from creasing. Im investigating the option of using a sawed down pool noodle (if you know what they are) and I think it will do a better job than the towel method.

I believe by putting the top down with the soft top window still zipped had somehow contracted the soft top making it more difficult to put up. Has anyone had this issue before?

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:47 pm

If the roof has been down for a while, then I would sugest leaving out in the sun on a warm day, and then try to put it up. You might need a 2nd person help you stretch it.

J

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:55 pm

What Juffa said!!

JSE · Postby **JSE** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:08 pm

i dont unzip my window (plastic). never have, just give it a bang and bend with my hand to curl it up nicely when i drop the top. leave your car out in the sun for a bit and it will be easy to stretch back on.

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:50 am

JSE wrote:i dont unzip my window (plastic). never have, just give it a bang and bend with my hand to curl it up nicely when i drop the top.

The plastic window will become brittle from UV ray damage. Eventually it will split where it is bent. Of course there is also the problem with using the zipper everytime you put the roof down as it will wear out as well.

Thats is when my rear window glazed over from UV damage I replaced the whole soft top with a Robbins cloth soft top, and glass window.

J

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:18 am

The zip on mine has been broken forever, so I hardly ever undo it. When the window gets cloudy from being folded I put 303 on it and it goes clear again for a few months.

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:32 am

manga_blue wrote:The zip on mine has been broken forever, so I hardly ever undo it. When the window gets cloudy from being folded I put 303 on it and it goes clear again for a few months.

I used a plastic polish on mine to keep it clear. But it didn't stop it going brittle and it eventually snapped. 303 might keep it more supple and therefore help it last longer.

J

Noodle · Postby **Noodle** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:43 pm

What's 303?

Locutus · Postby **Locutus** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:39 pm

http://www.waxit.com.au/products.asp?cat=39

adherent · Postby **adherent** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:28 pm

The zip on mine has been broken forever, so I hardly ever undo it. When the window gets cloudy from being folded I put 303 on it and it goes clear again for a few months.

Zips are cheap. I got a new slider from Mazda for like $14.

That 303 stuff might work but its insanely expensive. The best vinyl window cleaner bar none is aerosol Preen, for about $4.

While I'm at it, for the black vinyl top, I picked up a trigger pack of Autoglym vinyl treatment last weekend, $15 from Mania. Not the cheapest, but worth every cent - the soft top has never looked so good, its like brand new.