back window plastic

[arana]

I had a custom black leather top made a few years ago (no vendors here and I got tired of getting raped by customs) and didn't think at the time about using a quality clear plastic for the back window. After just a few years, the plastic is all clouded up and is hard to see through. Although I rarely, if ever, drive with the top up, I would still like to be able to see through the darn thing. Any recommendations on type of plastic or vendors.

I visit North America about once a year and a back window would easily fit in my suitcase, unlike the dash, center console, roll bar, and all the other things I want.

[grittracing]

if you would like the is a uphulstery place about a mile from my house i can take my spider over to him and ask how much for a new piece?

[arana]

I'd appreciate it and am especially interested in if it's some special kind of plastic, like marine plastic or something, plus the gauge. Since my top is custom, the window is most likely a different size than the standard. It's a bit small now, so I'll probably take advantage when I change it by putting in a larger one. I was even thinking of making it a zip out so I could open it and easily swap it in the future by just zipping another one in instead of taking the whole damn top off, cutting the window out and resewing a new one in.

[grittracing]

i would look into the zipper idea. A few of us here in mich and chicago where talking about that a month or so ago. That would be the way to go. I will check on it tomorrow and let you know.

[azygoustoyou]

I bought all my upholstery from this place and am very happy with the quality. Prices are cheap too.
They sell all the stuff you need for your car including the plastic window.
http://www.atrim.com/index.html

[BEEK]

ill let you in on a secret..... my top was installed by me 10 years ago, the back window is still perfectly clear. how i did it is.
you put a towel over the back seat, so the clear window is not touching the seat , only a towel, and place a towel in the fold of the top where the window cannot touch itself. my car has been outside , not in a garrage for the past 4 years. top up a in the florida sun.. still clear.. the top is a amco. i dont think they make tops anymore. i had installed 500+ of these tops in my life, never had a fitment issue either.

[arana]

... you put a towel over the back seat, so the clear window is not touching the seat... and place a towel in the fold of the top where the window cannot touch itself....

Good tip, thanks. I'll definitely be doing this after I get a new window. And I'm kind of spoiled now with my leather top and could probably never go back to canvas.

[baltobernie]

Here's another source for convertible top supplies http://www.worlduph.com/material.htm#TOP%20SUPPLIES

The Spider top would be a good candidate for a zippered rear window; the rearmost bow is secured to the top, and there's not a lot of "free" material to flap around with the window unzipped. I showed a local auto upholsterer my car with the old top up, and asked him to estimate installation of a zipper to a new-in-box canvas top. He declined.

Tip for you lurking vendors: Here's a way to differentiate your tops from all the other guys.

[grittracing]

my guy could not give me a price today he said he would have a price monday but i will be on vacation for the next week than in and out till after FFO so if you can wait i will let you know when i get back but im sure any of these suppliers will be just as good if no better than my guy maybe even cheeper because you would only have to pay shipping once and you wouldnt have to pay my guys mark up

[arana]

... i will be on vacation for the next week...

no problem, thanks for effort anyway. I'll be on the US west coast in september and and will get some plastic direct from a manufacturer.