Protecting That Window

Keith Cook · Post by **Keith Cook** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 3:39 pm

What is the thinking on how to protect the window on my nice new top from
scratches and scuffs when "top down"? I notice that the old one showed
scuffing where the folds of the top rested on it. Lay a towel on it, roll it
in a towel? What do you guys, who will have to put it up and down much more
often than me do?

Mark Roberts · Post by **Mark Roberts** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 7:41 pm

The FAQs and the nice wise advice say put a nice soft towel
nicely washed in Fluffy all round it nicely.

I say don't be daft, replacing it every few years is part of the
cost of owning a Jellybean. Are you seriously going to unzip it
every time you up/down the lid? Have you ever tried to do
that from the drivers' seat while stopped in a queue in the rain
on the Southern Motorway?

Nah. Real Drivers reverse blind! (And make sure the top is
down while getting a WOF)

Mark

Date sent: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 15:39:07 +1300
From: "Keith Cook" <keith.cook@paradise.net.nz>

What is the thinking on how to protect the window on my nice new
top from scratches and scuffs when "top down"? I notice that the
old one showed scuffing where the folds of the top rested on it. Lay
a towel on it, roll it in a towel? What do you guys, who will have to
put it up and down much more often than me do?

Keith Cook

ross campbell · Post by **ross campbell** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 10:03 pm

When I dont unzip the window I have a length of 80mm od soft foam tube I
put between the folds which works real well.Its soft enough to flatten out
when the hood goes down. Ross.

SG & NA Fisk · Post by **SG & NA Fisk** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 10:19 pm

Agreed - my rear was so bad I could not see put to back so I had the local
auto upholsterer replace it for $160 - worth it as its a 4 hr pig of a job.
I put the top down every chance I get and cannot be bothered un zipping it
all the time. I noticed its getting a bit creased but hey - thought will
replace it again it when I can no longer see out of it
Steve in Zed - 800 Km a week of smiles

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 6:44 am

I went to a fabric store and purchased a piece of light felt material for a
few bucks large enough so that it would protect the plastic window on both
sides. It's a very simple (lay it down when you use it, fold it a stick it
behind the seat when not in use), inexpensive ( a couple of bucks) solution
and you can likely match the material's colour to your puddle jumper's
colour scheme.

Keith Cook · Post by **Keith Cook** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 11:32 am

Thank you Mark. I am/do "seriously going to unzip it everytime I put up/down the lid". I was brought up during a war when you were taught to cherish your belongings. And, no I haven't tried to do
that from the drivers' seat while stopped in a queue in the rain
on the Southern Motorway. For one thing, in Invercargill, I can usualy get pretty well home and under shelter between first drop and downpour and for another, if it's going to rain TV3 usually warns us (often erroneously) the day before!

Keith Cook · Post by **Keith Cook** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 11:32 am

Always suspected you jafas were overpaid!

Louisa Currie · Post by **Louisa Currie** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 11:41 am

Sorry Keith, I'm with Mark and Steve on this one. I include the price of a
new window every 2 years in my running costs. Haven't had to replace it yet
but it's getting close. I love being able to sit at the lights between a
break in the rain and whip the top off (grin). Unzippings too much of a
hassle.

Ian Watson · Post by **Ian Watson** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 12:00 pm

how about getting a glass rear window fitted a la mark II...no zip, heated
rear window and gr8 rear viz with the top up...funny I thought someone
said mazda got "all" the details right...all but the mark 1's rear window
eh?

;-p

Keith Cook · Post by **Keith Cook** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 3:57 pm

Thanks Bill. Some sanity among the simian denizens of AK!

Post by **simple** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 5:29 pm

Warning! Long drivel about roof & rear window follows...

With my previous top (before a branch fell through it) I had a plastic window, so
made two little brackets to attach to the seatbelt towers. I sewed some loops to
the sides of a big black towel and attached these to the brackets so that most
of the towel was permanently laying flat on the parcel shelf to protect the bottom
of the window. The rest of the towel made a flap to fold over the top of the
window. It wasn't easy to do a good job of putting the towel over the window
while sitting in the drivers seat, but at least the towel was always in the right
place.

Overall it worked well to protect the plastic - I don't really have money to spend
on replacements. If it weren't for errant branches, I expect I would have had
good life out of that window. (I still have the plastic window if any wants to buy it
second hand - it came through the drama unscathed)

I have a glass rear window now, so scratching is no longer a problem. It does
need to be unzipped before lowering the roof, otherwise the seams get ripped
out (so the installers tell me - I've not tested it).

I can easily unzip the window while belted in, or while driving if the circumstance
is not hazardous. Zipping it up is also fairly easy, although doing it with one
hand puts a strain on the zip (normally I would support the glass with the other
hand). Being hypermobile and having long-ish arms (knuckles don't quite drag
on the ground) may have its advantages.

I find that putting the roof up at [air]speeds up to 60kph is OK. A headwind
makes quite a difference.

I drove a 2001 MX5 for a few days - not having to unzip the window was nice (not
even possible if you wanted to - no zip!), although there are times when it's really
hot & the coolest approach is to drive with roof up but all windows down (either
that or aircon, and as you will have figured, I'm too cheap to use that often). The
2001 roof did seem to go up more easily - I never got around to examining it
closely, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a spring involved somewhere.
Only problem with putting the roof up was stupidly designed sunshades which
got in the way (different shades from my 1989 Jap car).

Karl.

=============================

[...]

Scott Elder · Post by **Scott Elder** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 5:52 pm

well Ive got a speaker box sitting in the back @ the moment so you can rest
your elbow on that while pulling it up and it makes all the difference. I
handed even lol

Mark Roberts · Post by **Mark Roberts** » Thu Jan 10, 2002 8:19 pm

Only problem with putting the roof up was stupidly designed sunshades which
got in the way (different shades from my 1989 Jap car).

1991 = the same

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Fri Jan 11, 2002 7:24 am

Karl you mention having installed a glass window as a replacement. Was that
replacement installed in an earlier model MX5 like a 90-91?? If yes, who
did it, where are they, and what was the cost?

Post by **simple** » Fri Jan 11, 2002 5:49 pm

Karl you mention having installed a glass window as a replacement.
Was that replacement installed in an earlier model MX5 like a
90-91?? If yes, who did it, where are they, and what was the
cost?

Yes, 1989, but I'm not sure the info is going to be helpful to you, as the roof was
also new. The whole roof was replaced after a branch entered the vehicle
without using one of the approved portals - ie. it came through the soft-top.

I believe the window cost me on the order of $300+GST, but I don't have the
documentation here. It was done by "Auckland Auto Trimmers & Sunroof
Centre" at 27 Mackelvie St, Grey Lynn, Auckland. I didn't shop around, since
they were the choice of the insurance company. Very impressive premises,
with a range of Porsches, MX5s and BMWs being worked on.

Now that the weather has turned bad, I find that the roof leaks a bit around the
drivers window. Have adjusted the seals, but not got it right yet. I've not
checked the roof warranty, but it has been on 6 months & I doubt that they can
do any better job of adjusting the seals than I can, and it costs me a lot less
hassle doing it myself.

Regarding my earlier message where I said this:

The rest of the towel made a flap to fold over the top of the
window. It wasn't easy to do a good job of putting the towel
over the window while sitting in the drivers seat, but at
least the towel was always in the right place.

What I should've said was that it wasn't easy when belted in - it's fine otherwise
from the drivers seat. And it's such a comfort always knowing that your towel is
in the right place

Karl.

[...]

Graeme Naisbitt · Post by **Graeme Naisbitt** » Fri Jan 11, 2002 6:19 pm

Ah a cool and froody guy who always knows where his towel is...

Gram
D4NGER

Bill Rehm · Post by **Bill Rehm** » Fri Jan 11, 2002 7:27 pm

When it comes to tops and their replacement it seems based on numerous list
emails that your damned if you do (water leaks, ill fitting, etc) and
damned if you don't (need I run through the list) replace them. Not very
reassuring from where I sit.

SG & NA Fisk · Post by **SG & NA Fisk** » Fri Jan 11, 2002 9:59 pm

How wude! - sides I'm in the Manawatu

Post by **zorruno** » Fri Jan 11, 2002 10:56 pm

my 2c

I find that putting the roof up at [air]speeds up to 60kph is OK. A

headwind

makes quite a difference.

I also put the top up at up to 60kms. One handed is fine - it is great
exercise & just takes practice. It helps to have a passenger clip in the
left clip while you are holding it up, but not 100% necessary. Don't grab
the handle when you lean back, grab under the metal rail - you get more grip
& leverage.

2 things re this though
1. Don't try is at higher speeds... by yourself... in a sudden thunder
storm... in holiday traffic. This is dangerous and silly. Don't ask me how
I know.
2. If the passenger clips in their side, make 100% sure they have before
letting go of the middle. Ditto.

Only problem with putting the roof up was stupidly designed sunshades which
got in the way (different shades from my 1989 Jap car).

Easier with sunshades removed permanently. Not that I would have done this
though, as you need a drivers shade for a WOF.

made two little brackets to attach to the seatbelt towers. I sewed some

loops to

the sides of a big black towel and attached these to the brackets so that

most

Al ('s upholstory) was going to make some window protectors like the ones
you can get from Moss etc. They clip on to the domes that the boot cover
clips to and you can clip the boot cover on top. Don't know if he ever did.

My window zip broke the other week and I haven't bothered putting it back
together (zip runner came off - luckily it was zipped up at the time). I
now fold without unzipping (obviously) but am usually careful to roll up a
towel tightly and place it behind the fold. I'll probably go back to
unzipping first when the zip is fixed as even in rain I quite like driving
with the top up but rear window unzipped.

H.

Keith Cook · Post by **Keith Cook** » Sat Jan 12, 2002 11:04 am

Probably explains all!

Micheal Johnson · Post by **Micheal Johnson** » Sat Jan 12, 2002 1:05 pm

What i have actually done , is that i have installed clips and dont even use
the zip anymore. Easy on and off, and have actually put the window down
whilst driving. Its all about making it easier, i love it, but am going to
miss it when i replace my whole roof next month. They were a bitch to
install, but well worth it. Helps with ventilation and prevents condensation
also. Its all good.

Johno
Sunnynook - North Harbour

Gary Morrison · Post by **Gary Morrison** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 1:06 pm

Hi Keith,

A bit late, but I have a Brainstorm vinyl window protector, lined on the
inside, brand new, that I don't need now I have a glass rear window instead of
the plastic I was going to get... This is a premium US product, but I'm
willing to negotiate...

Gary

gm@paradise.net.nz

Keith Cook · Post by **Keith Cook** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 3:28 pm

New to me Gary. What's it worth?

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