Cloudy Rear window

R LTD · Post by **R LTD** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 4:30 pm

HI MX5ers
Just wish to say thanks for the advice from members on removing the cloudiness
from the rear plastic window. Used Meguiars Plastx from REPCO@ $21. The window
is now 80% improved.
I will need to replace the window at some time and wonder whether members have
had experience of replacing with glass vs plastic. Keith indicated the
additional cost was $100 and he seemed pleased with the result.
The later model MX5's come with a HRW filment that I presume are glass My
thought was that if they were available from the dealers one could plug such a
window into the connection available for the HRW in the hard top.
Apart from cost are there disadvantages in using glass.

Tony

poison · Post by **poison** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 5:01 pm

Not sure about this, have wondered myself, but I would have assumed the glass
window would be smaller as it can't fold, or do you still have to unzip it? Am
I right?

Cheers

Gazza

"PO1SON"

poison · Post by **poison** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 5:01 pm

Not sure about this, have wondered myself, but I would have assumed the glass
window would be smaller as it can't fold, or do you still have to unzip it? Am
I right?

Cheers

Gazza

"PO1SON"

my2cta · Post by **my2cta** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 5:44 pm

Has to be unzipped in the NA to fold the roof down, as the soft top folds
along different lines to the NB, which was redesigned to have the glass window
(which cannot be unzipped in the NB). A friend has one in his 97 NA. Size is
similar to the plastic.

I must say from having an NB with heated glass rear window that I never use
the heated rear window. When the top is up and the inside of the car is wet
(as happens when you have been caught in a downpour whilst stopped at the
lights) the windows all steam up. The air con clears the whole lot within 30
seconds or less. Wouldn't pay extra for the heater elements in the glass if
you have working air con in the car.

Tim
MY2CTA

my2cta · Post by **my2cta** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 5:44 pm

Has to be unzipped in the NA to fold the roof down, as the soft top folds
along different lines to the NB, which was redesigned to have the glass window
(which cannot be unzipped in the NB). A friend has one in his 97 NA. Size is
similar to the plastic.

I must say from having an NB with heated glass rear window that I never use
the heated rear window. When the top is up and the inside of the car is wet
(as happens when you have been caught in a downpour whilst stopped at the
lights) the windows all steam up. The air con clears the whole lot within 30
seconds or less. Wouldn't pay extra for the heater elements in the glass if
you have working air con in the car.

Tim
MY2CTA

peter · Post by **peter** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 5:52 pm

Al's Upholstery have roofs ( pronounced rooves) with glass widows for the NA, that don't need to be unzipped. From memory it's the same size as the plastic window from my last roof.

Peter
DRGN1 (pronounced rattle)

peter · Post by **peter** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 5:52 pm

Al's Upholstery have roofs ( pronounced rooves) with glass widows for the NA, that don't need to be unzipped. From memory it's the same size as the plastic window from my last roof.

Peter
DRGN1 (pronounced rattle)

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:13 pm

If you do get a glass window with heating element make sure there is some
sort of safety switch so you can't accidently turn it on when the roof is
down. This would cook something! The NB has a safety switch built in to
prevent the heater element being switched on with the roof down.
Grant.

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:13 pm

If you do get a glass window with heating element make sure there is some
sort of safety switch so you can't accidently turn it on when the roof is
down. This would cook something! The NB has a safety switch built in to
prevent the heater element being switched on with the roof down.
Grant.

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:48 pm

Hi Tony

I spoke with Al from Al's Upholstery (a club sponsor) some little while ago
about fitting a glass window to the existing hood, in place of the plastic
one. He used to bring in a kit to do it, but now will not, because he
considers that it does not give a satisfactory result. I believe that there
needs to be some modification of the hood hoops on an NA, because of the way
in which the lid folds with a glass window, differently to a perspex window.
Al recommends against it, which is good enough for me.

I don't know if Keith replaced his window, or the entire hood, $1-200 would be
the price differential between the two new hoods

From memory, Al quoted me $1100 for a top with a glass window.

Personally, I have never had a problem with the plastic window, so long as it
is unzipped each time it is folded and is kept clean and polished.

You can also unzip the plastic window and drive with it open, but with the
hood up, great on a hot sunny day as you get a great flow-through of air, but
keep the sun off your head! Of course, that may not be a problem for you, but
my head seems to be growing out through the top of my hair these days!

The plastic window is also less susceptible to damage from luggage on the
"parcel shelf" with the top down, it simply needs a light cover between it and
the luggage to stop it getting scratched, you can't break it.

The heated rear window is probably not worth while, the car is so small inside
that running the air-con for a few seconds sorts out most demisting issues.

My thoughts for what they are worth

Eric

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:48 pm

Hi Tony

I spoke with Al from Al's Upholstery (a club sponsor) some little while ago
about fitting a glass window to the existing hood, in place of the plastic
one. He used to bring in a kit to do it, but now will not, because he
considers that it does not give a satisfactory result. I believe that there
needs to be some modification of the hood hoops on an NA, because of the way
in which the lid folds with a glass window, differently to a perspex window.
Al recommends against it, which is good enough for me.

I don't know if Keith replaced his window, or the entire hood, $1-200 would be
the price differential between the two new hoods

From memory, Al quoted me $1100 for a top with a glass window.

Personally, I have never had a problem with the plastic window, so long as it
is unzipped each time it is folded and is kept clean and polished.

You can also unzip the plastic window and drive with it open, but with the
hood up, great on a hot sunny day as you get a great flow-through of air, but
keep the sun off your head! Of course, that may not be a problem for you, but
my head seems to be growing out through the top of my hair these days!

The plastic window is also less susceptible to damage from luggage on the
"parcel shelf" with the top down, it simply needs a light cover between it and
the luggage to stop it getting scratched, you can't break it.

The heated rear window is probably not worth while, the car is so small inside
that running the air-con for a few seconds sorts out most demisting issues.

My thoughts for what they are worth

Eric

Ken McNoe · Post by **Ken McNoe** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 12:27 am

Hi guys,

As mine is a bit yellowed and scratched I am considering replacing it,
does anyone know the approximate price of a new rear window (plastic)

Ken McNoe

Phone: 09 483 8237
Mobile: 021 536 911

Ken McNoe · Post by **Ken McNoe** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 12:27 am

Hi guys,

As mine is a bit yellowed and scratched I am considering replacing it,
does anyone know the approximate price of a new rear window (plastic)

Ken McNoe

Phone: 09 483 8237
Mobile: 021 536 911

Keith Smith · Post by **Keith Smith** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 7:25 am

I replaced my whole top... altho the top was a little sticky for a
while, has settled down now and is a dream. Wouldn't go back. $1100
from Al. 2 hours.
Keith
On 19/06/2005, at 12:27 AM, Ken McNoe wrote:

[...]

Keith Smith · Post by **Keith Smith** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 7:25 am

I replaced my whole top... altho the top was a little sticky for a
while, has settled down now and is a dream. Wouldn't go back. $1100
from Al. 2 hours.
Keith
On 19/06/2005, at 12:27 AM, Ken McNoe wrote:

[...]

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