Rear Window Angst.

[Perfectlap]

don't do the chop in the winter/fall without first heating up the cockpit.
I think even if you have a glass window you should let the canvas warm up a bit before pulling and stretching the canvas. The bows under the canvas will crease and wear away the canvas when its cold.

For the those lines across the plastic window use Renovo clear plastic polish with a high speed polisher or electric screwdriver polishing attachment. Clean it weekly with Plexus. And of course don't get any soap on your canvas. Canvas cleaner only.

[FrayAdjacent]

So does Plexus help with the flexibility of the plastic window? I think I've noticed a couple of these marks on my rear window... and it looks like the PO didn't take very good care of it. My bottle of Plexus should be here today... probably this coming weekend I'll get on the window with it and see how much I can improve it.

[John V]

Originally Posted by FrayAdjacent

So does Plexus help with the flexibility of the plastic window? I think I've noticed a couple of these marks on my rear window... and it looks like the PO didn't take very good care of it. My bottle of Plexus should be here today... probably this coming weekend I'll get on the window with it and see how much I can improve it.

I have Plexus and a couple other plastic cleaners / polishes and my favorite is the Mequiars system. I have a bottle of the liquid cleaner and a bottle of the liquid polish. The cleaner definitely makes the plastic more pliable, and cleans up any minor scratches. Great stuff, easy to use, too.

[Perfectlap]

that's a good question I never thought about whether the Plexus keeps the plastic from getting brittle. I lucked out on Ebay once and got a case of small plexus cans for $20 so I use it allot and give so to friends.
Judging by how an untreated miata or boxster window looks like its about to crack after the next lowering I'd say Plexus does do some good in keeping it flexible.
I also think that people will smear whatever is handy across the plastic to try and clean it like ajax or something they dug up from house cleaning bin. There's a product for everything.
Spray the plexus on the towel away from the car to keep it from getting on the canvas. Wash it off right away if you do get some on.

p.s.
This weekend I washed the top with Raggtopp and my OXO feathertip brush and I ran out of Raggtopp protectant half way through the re-application. It rained yesterday and you could clearly see where the water was penetrating and where it was beading.

[John V]

The RaggTopp protectant is neat, and I do use it, but it's not really that critical. The canvas is not meant to be impervious to water. The inner rubber layer of the top is what provides the weatherproofing.

JV

[Perfectlap]

for sure but I think the Raggtopp's big benefit is protection from the Sun and not really the clouds. Replacing the soft top is entirely preventable expense. My top will be seven years old soon and looks brand new, I go through a couple of cans each year.
Which reminds me I have order some more RT.

[John V]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

for sure but I think the Raggtopp's big benefit is protection from the Sun and not really the clouds. Replacing the soft top is entirely preventable expense. My top will be seven years old soon and looks brand new, I go through a couple of cans each year.
Which reminds me I have order some more RT.

Oh, I'm with you 100%. Mine is seven years old and looks brand new (and I don't have a garage, either)!