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It's not uncommon to see the rear window of a convertible top look cloudy, hazy or even worse, yellow. Sometimes it gets so bad, that the window eventually becomes brittle and breaks.
For many years now, plastic windows have been made from a 40 mil
PVC plastic because they are affordable and effective. However, they are prone to aging and browning and if neglected, can become a safety hazard. The
plasticizers in the plastic leach out over time allowing the plastic to become brittle and hard over time. A plastic window that's allowed to do this will become hazy and eventually become opaque making it impossible to see through.
Fortunately, it's not as hard as you might think to keep the window clear and in great shape. Here's how to restore it in minutes without a lot of effort and prevent your window from becoming so bad you have to replace it.
What You'll Need:
Before (click to enlarge)*
50/50 shot showing before and after
(click to enlarge)*
Step 1
Window should be clean prior to treating. Remove any dust and debris with a damp cotton terry towel.
Step 2
Working in the shade and making sure the window is cool to the touch, spray Plastic Deep Cleaner on to the surface and allow to penetrate for a few minutes.
Step 3
Wipe off residue with a clean 100% cotton terry towel. Repeat the process until cloudiness is removed and the window becomes clear.
Step 4
Wipe the surface with a clean, damp cotton terry towel to remove any excess cleaner residue.
Step 5
Finish by cleaning the surface with einszett Windscreen Clear and a microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are softer than a cotton terry towel when deep cleaning isn't required. It's also lint-free. Microfiber towels last for hundreds of washes and are a must-have in your cleaning accessory arsenal.
You are now complete!
Preventive Maintenance Tips
Now that your convertible window is back to its orginal condition, here are some tips to keep it that way.
Tip 1
Washing your car should be done on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for the typical daily driver. If this seems like a lot, consider the small time required to wash your car relative to the cost of your car.
Tip 2
In addition to washing your car, clean all windows including the rear plastic window of your convertible top with an ammonia-free glass cleaner such as
einszett Windscreen Clear. Ammonia-based cleaners are harsh and can cause haziness over time.
Tip 3
To prevent the surface from becoming cloudy, only use a 100% cotton terry towel that is plush. That means it has a thick pile - not the thin types you can buy in bulk. Better yet, use
a
microfiber towel for a scratch-free, lint-free finish. They can be washed hundreds of times and still remain soft. And to keep them that way, never use bleach or fabric softener when cleaning them.
DO NOT use shop towels, low quality cotton rags, paper towels, old t-shirts and flannnels. They can cause micro scratches in the surface causing cloudiness.
Tip
4
Avoid carwashes unless they are touch-less systems. The brushes used in many carwashes not only scratch your car's paint finish but also the convertible window.
It's also a good idea to avoid hand carwashes where the workers drying your car are using low quality rags that can easily scratch your car's paint finish and the convertible window.
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