how much damage?

My zipper lost a tooth a couple of years ago, so I stopped using it and stick a rolled-up bath towel into the fold when I lower the top, to minimize creasing. So far, so good, though the window gets scuffed more than when I used a window protector, and there's some distortion from the folding (especially in cold weather). My top is down at least 80% of the time, year round, sometimes for months on end. I do not raise or lower the top below 40F. I never expected it to last this long--at 9 years old, I figure any additional longevity is a gift.

I parked my car at a friend's house and they used it, dropping the top without asking how (and not unzipping). Since there was no towel, no noodle, no nothing, I now have a cloudy rubbed stripe across the window where it rubbed against itself. Had that not happened, my window would still be pristene and as clear as the day I picked it up in 1998.

Unzip the window. Better yet, I leave the top down 24/7 (except to wash it) and use a cockpit cover or full car cover whenever parked. Takes much less time to cover than putting up the top and my 97 Classic Red still looks brand new.

T.

Lanny Chambers wrote:

The original question involved a top with a failing zipper. I hardly ever put the top up when I wash my Miata. I do raise the windows, though.