Question(s) for ragtop owners

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » February 19, 2006 2:06 pm

Being that this is the first ragtop I've owned since my folks had a Beetle when I was a wee little thing, I've got a couple questions for fellow ragtop owners.

Now that its starting to warm up, its time to take the hardtop off. However I need to do something about the plastic window.

1.) Is there a way to clean off the discoloring on the window? Being that the car has a few years on it, the window isn't exactly the clearest in the world.

2.) Can you use Rain-X on the plastic window? I don't want to damage or discolor the window any more than it already is, but I don't want to have to dry off the window before I drive off.

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » February 19, 2006 2:13 pm

I have a few scratches on the rear plastic window of my Jeep.
I bought some stuff that "supposedly" would remove the lighter scratches but I could not tell a difference afterwards.
I guess I could have pursued it further and bought a more expensive cleaner but I just thought "what the heck, it's a Jeep".
Never tried Rain-X but then I don't really need it on anything other than the front window. I know my owner's manual suggests never using anything other than water to clean the windows.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » February 19, 2006 2:51 pm

I have never been owned!!!

Rented,Leased and Borrowed.. That is not the same..

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » February 19, 2006 3:06 pm

i had a wrangler with some scratches on the window. I also tried products and saw no difference. I believe turtlewax is recommended to deal with scratches also. At least with the jeep I could just replace the windows and not the whole top.

Mplsfins · Post by **Mplsfins** » February 19, 2006 4:41 pm

It depends on what type of vehicle it is on. I had a 69 Camaro Vert with the original plastic window that was severly discolored and scratched. The only proper way to clean it is buy a replacement glass window. I have one in my 95 Firebird Vert and by far it is the best to have glass vs. plastic. If it is a Jeep my friend I think you are screwed. Then again verts are made to be drivin with the top down.

My 2 cents and my 400th post

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » February 19, 2006 5:22 pm

It's not scratched, just discolored. Unfortunately its so discolored that it is difficult to see any details out the back.

The way the window folds when the top goes down might make it impossible to put on a glass replacement.

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » February 19, 2006 6:29 pm

it's possible that a good canvas/upholstery shop could replace the plastic. Maybe call a couple marinas they might be able to recommend somebody. I know tops are big bucks. The jeep windows just zip and snap in so they are easy.

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » February 19, 2006 6:50 pm

Mplsfins wrote:If it is a Jeep my friend I think you are screwed.

actually if it's a Jeep (in this case no) you might be better off.
Like OceanCityGirl said, you can just buy a new window without buying a new top.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » February 19, 2006 6:56 pm

ragtopW wrote: I have never been owned!!!

Rented,Leased and Borrowed.. That is not the same..

by a salesman from TN?

tequilatom · Post by **tequilatom** » February 19, 2006 7:23 pm

i have a sebring......and i never had any scratches or discolring on my rear windshield.......i use windex to clean it with!1

OPHarbor · Post by **OPHarbor** » February 20, 2006 7:23 am

I had a plastic window, discolored with a very small hole in it. I took it to a top shop, and they sewed a new one in. I think it cost me about $125. I'd never do it again, I worked fine, looked OK but my suggestion (depending on what type of vehicle) is get a whole new top with glass window. You can order one and install it yourself but you need to be very mechanically inclined. I'd have it done for the extra $$$. A new top with pads should cost between $450 and $700.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » February 20, 2006 8:33 am

tequilatom wrote:i have a sebring......and i never had any scratches or discolring on my rear windshield.......i use windex to clean it with!1

Ditto..... and I think my window on the ragtop is glass.....

And I havent cleaned it yet.... but I think the detail guy I used just uses a window cleaner.....