Pinch in window of soft top
 

So - I have pinch marks both on the right and left side of the rear wondow in my 2002. When I purchased the car, I figured that it was simply an "accident" from a previous owner. But a new spot just showed up. It is coming from (what I figure) the top not folding correctly when put down.

Any advice or previous knowledge of this problem and how to resolve it?! Greatly appreciated!

I drive a '97 with the original plastic window. I would recommend you try the two things that have kept my window near new looking. First, when you have a very sunny day park the car so the sun is directly on the rear window( it will expand and soften the plastic). Next use a good plastic polish (I prefer the Novus system) and polish the crease marks with extra attention and follow the directions carefully. The real difficult part of rear window maintenance is the inside of the window...it almost takes a contortionist to clean it properly. I polish my rear plastic almost weekly and the crease marks vitually disappear. Even my dealer asks how I can keep the rear so clear. It's a bit of a chore but well worth it. If you need further info let me know.

Open the top about a third of the way get out of the car and give it a gentle karate chop. It sucks but its the only way I've found to keep the pinch marks out.

x2 on the chop

the pinching has mostly to do with air temp.
I never do the chop, if you give the top a chance over time it
remembers where to bend. I have no crease whatsoever.

BUT as the fall temps come in the plastic becomes more rigid
and the top's "memory" get mudled and you get that pinching.
The chop is pretty much mandatory at this point. Its not really
a chop but lowering partly and prodding it to make sure the bend
is even and uniterupted. Another thing to do which isn't just for preserving the glass but the canvas as well is to blast the heat with the top up before lowering it. I think lowering cold canvas/plastic adds to the stretching and wear as it pushes over the bows. Cold friction like in an engine.... not so good.

p.s.
+1 on frequent REnovo use for removing swirls. It will leave the plastic
crysal clear. Maintain with Plexus and don't spray directly onto the window, you'll get overspray onto the top. Renovo is the one advantage plastic has
over glass. Very hard to remove scratches froms glass!

Great! Looks like I'll be polishing this weekend. Had thought that the temp had something to do with it - and had already opened half way, and "choped" the fold correctly. Just sucks to be seen having to "hold it's hand" while the top opens. I'll be sure to try and heat the ride up too.

As for the polish - heard once to use baby diapers versus cloth - your advice here?

Been having such great sunny fall days here in Seattle, I couldn't help but lower the top and crank some Van Halen "Hot for Teacher." Even though it was only 58 degrees...... Guess the new pinch mark is my lesson.

- C5150

Earned a nasty pinch this weekend in similar temps south of Philly. I also appreciate the advice of those who posted.

My wife is the official Karate chopper.

Gee, my wife will hardly reach over and push the button for me as I do the chop.

You've got your wife trained much better than me.

To all new boxster owners
 

I know this because of my Jeep Wrangler but many people new to convertables may not know...

It is getting cold out, DO NOT open your top if it is cold and you have a plastic rear window, it will quickly make them very hard to see out of and there is also a chance of the plastic just splitting, be careful and gool luck, new tops are exspensive...