spatchel@radford.com wrote:
>
>Help:
>
>Have a co-worker with a 78 B. The rear window of the convertible top
>has discolored from the sun. I am unaware of any way to "restore" it
>short of buying a new top.
>
>Any ideas, including where to get a "sew in" replacement?
>
Steve,
This was the first problem I ever tackled with my B when I
purchased her 10 years ago. First off it is possible to restore
convertible tops assuming that the damage is mild to moderate.
Meguire's makes a product called Mirror Glaze #17 Professional Plastic
Cleaner. It has the ability to remove the yellowing and smooth and fill
tiny scratches. If the window is in pretty bad shape, two applications
may be necessary. Eagle One also makes a plastic polish as do Turtle
Wax and some other companies. There is a two-step process sold through
J.C. Whitney & Co. that sells for about $7.00 that I have heard works
well. If the rest of the top is in good shape then I would try to buff
out the damage before making the investment into a new top.
In case you might be wondering, it's the UV rays from the sun that
do the discoloring. One of the best protectants for your top against
this is ArmorAll. It works well on the top but DO NOT get the stuff on
the windows. It turns them a milky white and is hard to remove. And
don't use windex either. It does more damage than good. The best
cleaner for conv windows is mild soap and water.
When I first bought my MG, I was told that rubbing toothpaste on
the convertible windows will remove the discoloring. I tried it and to
a degree it worked, only my top was in awful shape (holes and the like)
so I wound up replacing it with a Robbins top. Best of luck.
Comments welcome.
Dave
77 MGB
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