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Cleaning fogged soft-top windows

General Tech Talk

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Cleaning fogged soft-top windows

Post by alien »

Hey all

My softtop (sierra) is about 3 years old now and is starting to fog up... anyone know a good way of restoring it? Or is it pretty much game over for my rear-view mirror?
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Post by wacky »

Autobarn stocks a product called "Plexus" Plastic cleaner (info) which is great for doing boat and car soft-top windows, and is sworn by in the US.
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Post by RAY185 »

wacky wrote:Autobarn stocks a product called "Plexus" Plastic cleaner (info) which is great for doing boat and car soft-top windows, and is sworn by in the US.
Awesome stuff, works really well.
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Post by alien »

cool as =) Thanks mate!

dang - no autobarn stores in WA... =( now i have to go on the hunt.
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Post by RAY185 »

alien wrote:cool as =) Thanks mate!

dang - no autobarn stores in WA... =( now i have to go on the hunt.
Try motor trimmers or motorcycle shops. I was originally put onto it by my trimmer.
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Post by chimpboy »

alien wrote:cool as =) Thanks mate!

dang - no autobarn stores in WA... =( now i have to go on the hunt.
If you have no luck I don't mind grabbing some and mailing it over.

edit: Actually seeing it's an aerosol can it be mailed?
This is not legal advice.
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Post by Eddy »

Metho and newspaper.

used it for 30+ years ;)


:oops: well ... different bits of newspaper ... you get my drift tho... :? :cool: :D
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Post by alien »

chimpboy wrote:
alien wrote:cool as =) Thanks mate!

dang - no autobarn stores in WA... =( now i have to go on the hunt.
If you have no luck I don't mind grabbing some and mailing it over.

edit: Actually seeing it's an aerosol can it be mailed?
Thanks for the offer dude - but i think you're right - can't be posted =( I'll have a hunt around supercrap, auto1, repco etc first... then again maybe its easier just to go to an upholsterer and use some of theirs...
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Post by nairbo »

Try Turtle Wax car polish .
Worked on my old Landy soft top windows
Brian
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Post by alien »

as in the body polish? or they make a specific product?
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Post by hyzook »

Car polish can be used, also Mr Sheen, there are proper clear polishes but they tend to be pricey. If it is quite bad have a trimmer replace the window (~$120) or get a buff and cutting compound an buff it like you would on paint.
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Post by alien »

awesome - ill give that a crack for sure =)

$120 to replace a window is hell steep - can most likely buy a new back for that (its a 3piece top from MU canvas).
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Post by hyzook »

alien wrote:awesome - ill give that a crack for sure =)

$120 to replace a window is hell steep - can most likely buy a new back for that (its a 3piece top from MU canvas).
I should note that I have buffed windows before but they were extruded clears much like what you would find on a factory top, higher priced replacement tops or marine clears.

Roll Clear can be purchaced from around $7 per lm to $40 and then an extruded clear will start at around $100 per m2, I don't know what clear has been used but try a corner or test an area first. If the suface feels rough its is most likley the cause of the problem and polishing can restore the surface therefor making it alot better to see through, if it is milky white and smooth then the pvc may be breaking down inside and there is nothing you can do.

My theory is if its allready stuffed you cant stuff it anymore so give it a go
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Post by alien »

yeah i would definitely do a patch test.

its not degraded though - its like, picked up the texture of my seats from having it folded down etc - pretty sure its just scuffed and dirty in the scuffs.
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Post by Shambles »

Try a boating/ fishing store. Thats where my mate gets it from rather than a car joint.
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Post by alien »

well - i went down the car polish path - got some "Kitten No.1" polish - which is superfine.

Worked a treat! the window is way better than before and its left a waxy coating behind which has restored the vinyl. Very impressed =)

Thanks guys!!
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