This is the first year where I'm met with the combination of a soft top, roll bar and hard top. As I get ready to install the hard top for the Winter, I'm concerned abut ruining the plastic rear window while its folded up for the season. Before the roll bar, I used one of hose window protectors when the top was down. That's no longer an option.
On my last car, I solved this by removing the soft top all together.
Any suggestions for caring for the window?
Sultan
New Reader
11/29/09 11:17 a.m.
I took a foam tube cut it to length and wrapped it in a clean towel so the plastic wouldn't stick to the window. The foam tube keeps the window from creating a line in the plastic. The foam tube was what my kids call a noodle from the pool but I’m sure a pipe insulator would work as well.
Sultan wrote:
I took a foam tube cut it to length and wrapped it in a clean towel so the plastic wouldn't stick to the window. The foam tube keeps the window from creating a line in the plastic. The foam tube was what my kids call a noodle from the pool but I’m sure a pipe insulator would work as well.
+1
I used to do this in my '97 that had a rollbar installed and it worked great. The one time I decided to be lazy and not use it was on a cold day when I was autocrossing...I threw the top back and sure enough it was cold enough to crack the plastic window all the way across .
Since the top will be down for the whole season, you may want to tuck a towel around the inside part of the fold as well.
kcbhiw
Reader
11/29/09 11:14 p.m.
Sultan wrote:
I took a foam tube cut it to length and wrapped it in a clean towel so the plastic wouldn't stick to the window. The foam tube keeps the window from creating a line in the plastic. The foam tube was what my kids call a noodle from the pool but I’m sure a pipe insulator would work as well.
I'll hand off another +1 to this. Works quite well.
car39
Reader
11/30/09 8:07 a.m.
One of the Miata suppliers sells a cushion for this. I've used it on the 3 Miata's I've had, it keeps the window from folding.
I just used to stick a rolled up towel in there. Easier to store than a pool noodle and more useful overall. I'm not sure it ever made a difference.
Any suggestions for protecting the inside?
Towel wrapped on both sides