rear convert. window questions
 

this may be my first post on here but let me assure you im no noob to the 1.8l bp's nor a noob to auto body or automech work. That being said... I just bought my first miata.. and have some questions about refurbishing the rear plastic window on my top. its really dull and hardly see through... would it be the best choice to wetsand it? or are there better ways to go about fixing it. it also recently cracked because im stupid and tried putting it down when it was cold. from what i saw it doesnt seem replaceable or am i wrong on that part?

I too, want to know this answer. Mine is dull as well.

sorry to be late with an answer, from my understanding this is just the nature of the plastic rear window, and theres not much that can be done to fix it.

The easiest way is to just replace the top with one with a glass window, last one I installed cost me $220.

In a days time you can change your top color, if you wish, and have a smaller glass rear window that you can actually see out of.

hope this helps
 

https://sites.google.com/site/miatar...dowrepair/home

I found this very interesting

Need to know the year of the car and if it has original 2 piece style or a later econo one piece thing. On the two piece top, the window zips out separately from the top. Per the manual, you are supposed to unzip the thing before the top is lowered to prevent creases. An advantage of this design, is that you can replace the window as a separate piece - you just have to match what you have, OEM, Robbins etc. as they don't mix and match.

That said, I would suggest to just suck it up and get a new top with a glass window. You won't regret it. If the window you have is old enough to get yellow, it is also probably has wrinkles, ridges etc. The work to change the window is about the same as changing the top. The glass window is actually a safety mod in my opinion. I also prefer the two piece style that came on the older 1st gen cars - this design puts less stress on the window to top seal as you have to unzip to lower it. The auto fold tops work, but don't last as long as it does put added pressure on the joint.

Just saw this. I used aluminum polish. Made a world of difference

Also, NAPA sells a plastic polish just for this. You might try it before springing for a new top. That being said, I second the choice of a new top with a glass window; huge improvement!

No matter how much you labor over a old plastic window that had seen it's better days nearly 20 years ago.

Nothing beats a new top and a new glass window, believe me they are not that difficult to install, if you buy the better top on ebay it is even less difficult because I noticed the center holes are marked at each place you need centering.(my last top like that cost me $220 in 2012)

If you pay a shop to repair your old window the cost will be near or more than a new top, that top with the proper treatment will last as long or longer than the original.