Author Topic: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.  (Read 2541 times)

Pinder

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How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« on: January 21, 2022, 00:18:04 »
Has anyone had any success in cleaning an original Soft top rear window. Mine  almost brown and fogged up. Ive tried plastic cleaner etc. noting is doing it. Tried polishes etc.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
2015 BMW 320i xdrive
2021 Mercedes GLS450 Silver

Cees Klumper

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2022, 03:24:53 »
I"ve had some success with McGuiar's (spelling?)  Plastic cleaner and polish, but it sounds like you already tried that. Maybe it's just too far gone.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

ejboyd5

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2022, 12:35:07 »
Try Plexus, widely used on aircraft, and has always worked well for me. Unfortunately, by the time the "brown" appears, the chemical composition of the plastic may have been changed by exposure to ultraviolet light and is beyond redemption. Still it's worth a try considering the cost and hassle of a replacement.

Jordan

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2022, 14:22:14 »
You could try Mr Clean magic eraser.  It is great for cleaning vinyl so it may work on the plastic window.
Marcus
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Pinder

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2022, 15:32:02 »
Ive tried some of those. Mr clean is worth a try. I think it is too far gone though.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
2015 BMW 320i xdrive
2021 Mercedes GLS450 Silver

mdsalemi

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2022, 18:37:54 »
Mr. Clean "Magic Eraser" is an abrasive. I sincerely doubt it would do anything to a discolored vinyl window except make it scratched and discolored.

https://www.grunge.com/142701/the-untold-truth-of-magic-eraser/

So, if you try it...in a tiny corner, or on some scrap of clear vinyl.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
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Pinder

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2022, 18:40:31 »
Ill try it just for fun. The top really needs to be replaced. but its good enough for now. But thank you everyone for taking the time to suggest some good possibilities.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
2015 BMW 320i xdrive
2021 Mercedes GLS450 Silver

JamesL

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2022, 20:51:45 »
If the canvas is good, I’m wondering if anyone sells/can make & fit a replacement screen
James L
Oct69 RHD 280 in DB906 with cognac leather

Pinder

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2022, 02:37:54 »
I’ve started sanding it down with 800 grit wet and dry and will progress up to 2000 grit then polish. I think it has some promise. 
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
2015 BMW 320i xdrive
2021 Mercedes GLS450 Silver

Cees Klumper

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2022, 03:03:59 »
2000 grit is still rather course believe it or not. On paint, there's an additional 3000, 5000 and 8000 for wetsanding before polish (3M 1-step system - it starts with no lower than 1500). You might want to get hold of at least 2500/3000 and preferably still higher before polishing.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

Pinder

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2022, 00:54:17 »
Yes. its cold in NJ so havent been back to work on it. I feel this will work well. Just multiple grades of sandpaper to get it high enough for the polish to work.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
2015 BMW 320i xdrive
2021 Mercedes GLS450 Silver

Pinder

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2022, 02:42:32 »
finally found my original thread. here are pics of before and after.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
2015 BMW 320i xdrive
2021 Mercedes GLS450 Silver

Pinder

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #12 on: February 14, 2022, 02:54:48 »
2000 grit is still rather course believe it or not. On paint, there's an additional 3000, 5000 and 8000 for wetsanding before polish (3M 1-step system - it starts with no lower than 1500). You might want to get hold of at least 2500/3000 and preferably still higher before polishing.
You were right. At 3000 grit I was able to see through the window. I went to polish after that as I was just tired. But you had a great idea and it worked! thank you.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
2015 BMW 320i xdrive
2021 Mercedes GLS450 Silver

Cees Klumper

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Re: How to clean a discolored soft top rear plastic window.
« Reply #13 on: February 14, 2022, 03:46:29 »
Glad it worked, you really made an impact on that plastic, much better now.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II