Rear plastic window replacement

Archives of Posts to the NZ MX5 List back in 2001
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David Richardson

Rear plastic window replacement

Post by David Richardson » Thu Jun 07, 2001 10:54 pm

My daughter recently cracked her plastic rear window on her soft top in
her enthusiasm to enjoy some mid winter sun. On her 1990 model soft top
it appears as if the rear window has been stuck on with a self adhesive
seam around the outside. It has not been stitched.

Can you get replacement stick on windows and does anyone have experience
of how easy this is for a reasonable 'do it yourselfer' ...which is why
this Dad has been roped in to solve the problem. Any help would be appreciated
--
David

peter
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 125
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 10:02 pm
Location: Auckland

Rear plastic window replacement

Post by peter » Fri Jun 08, 2001 11:59 am

David-

How old is the window? I cracked mine by not unzipping it first... cold weather can have an effect on the flexibilty as
well.
As all factory windows and aftermarket windows are stitched into the zip, your daughter's window must have been
homemade...
I assume you would remove the roof to flatten the "window frame" prior to gluing in the new window, to avoid creasing,
and to ensure a good bond is established. However,
1/ Roofs aint easy to remove. or replace.
2/ Not enough curing time means the window might fall out, or crumple and damage the roof.
3/ I can't see any auto upholsterer selling you the recommended plastic (either single or double laminate) and you might
find yourself repeating the procedure, due to yellowing, opaquing ( is that a word?) crazing etc.

I'd give Al Mott a call, Al's Upholstery 443 - 1851 or 025 - 937 - 009. Al's worked on my car in the past, and supports
the club in many ways. A new window costs $220+GST for double laminate, and $260 +GST for single laminate ( my choice -
it's much clearer)

Good luck anyway.

Peter Kite
DRGN-1


you wrote:
My daughter recently cracked her plastic rear window on her soft top in
her enthusiasm to enjoy some mid winter sun. On her 1990 model soft top
it appears as if the rear window has been stuck on with a self adhesive
seam around the outside. It has not been stitched.

Can you get replacement stick on windows and does anyone have experience
of how easy this is for a reasonable 'do it yourselfer' ...which is why
this Dad has been roped in to solve the problem. Any help would be
appreciated
--
David

zorruno
Black is the new black.
Black is the new black.
Posts: 601
Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:20 pm
Location: An Eastern Beach

Rear plastic window replacement

Post by zorruno » Fri Jun 08, 2001 1:11 pm

---Peter said --------
As all factory windows and aftermarket windows are stitched into the zip,
your daughter's window must have been
homemade...
don't think so - mine is not here, so I can't check, but pretty sure my 94's
window is glued from the factory - not stitched. Anyone confirm theirs is
the same? From memory, it is glued to a piece of fabric, which is then
stitched to the zip. (Nigel - put that coffee down again!)
---David said ---------
Can you get replacement stick on windows and does anyone have experience
of how easy this is for a reasonable 'do it yourselfer' ...which is why
this Dad has been roped in to solve the problem. Any help would be
appreciated
I don't know of anywhere you can get 'stick on windows' but a few US people
have found a good fix by going to a local marine upholsterer and getting
some 'boat window plastic' stuff. They then carefully cut out the old one
with a blade/scalpel and sew in the new one themselves. You have to
waterproof the sewing somehow though. I'm sure you could glue it also, but
I haven't heard of anyone taking this approach.

Also, I'm not sure if you can take the window piece out, without removing
the top... but I assume so?
---Peter said -------
I assume you would remove the roof to flatten the "window frame" prior to
gluing in the new window, to avoid creasing,
and to ensure a good bond is established. However,
1/ Roofs aint easy to remove. or replace.
2/ Not enough curing time means the window might fall out, or
crumple and damage the roof.
3/ I can't see any auto upholsterer selling you the recommended plastic
I'm sure an auto upholsterer would sell you the stuff if asked nicely - why
wouldn't they? But it would depend on how much you enjoy the 'DIY' aspect
and the result you wanted to achieve. I mean, you could use a piece of
glad-wrap if you wanted to, or get a whole new Mazda Mk2 top installed. I
know people who had sellotape covering holes in their window for 3 years,
but still love their cars. Al's upholstery is great, a great club supporter,
and has the best prices, but for some people, a new window is about 5% the
value of the whole car...
(z)

Nigel Every

Rear plastic window replacement

Post by Nigel Every » Fri Jun 08, 2001 2:50 pm

Oh B---r down goes the coffee again.
Yes the factory windows are heatwelded into the rear panel and not stitched refer
attached just taken in glorious Waikato weather!!!

PS Sorry dont think can attach photos is that correct zorruno.
Nigel

---Peter said --------
[...]

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