Rear window browning

See, that's what happens when you brag about something!

Actually, Meguairs has a couple of products that might delay your replacement cost. Here's one method:

and here's another: I have no experience with the second but the cleaner and polish helped maintain the plastic window on my '90 for many years prior to replacement.

Iva & Vixen

2004 Classic Red No more winkin' Miata

That is how mine have gone, from nice to brown almost overnight, but I have never gotten nearly that long out of them. In fact, I have never owned a car for more than 6 years.

If your top is in good condition, having a new window sewn in is an option, but it is probably showing some wear at 10 years old. One thing to consider is the rain rail, which may have become brittle after 10 summers. Mazda wants both an arm and a leg for these things. I can't believe an aftermarket company has not made one.

Absolutely. 10 years is good even for a plastic window that has been well-cared for.

Pat

The top looks practically new. The only other thing wrong that I know of is that the zipper seems to be coming unglued from the piece it's attached to Haven't checked the rain rail.

Yes but did the cleaner and polish actually remove any browning? Looking at the window it seems its not just on the surface.

Yes, they did remove some of the browning - not all of it, particularly toward the end. I figure it gave me another year or so before the window finally *had* to be replaced. I had to be pretty agressive with the cleaner.

Iva & Vixen

2004 Classic Red No more winkin' Miata

It sounds like a new window is the way to go, assuming that the zipper is not a big problem.

With all of the glass window debate, I still like the ability to drop all three windows and leave the top up, this is the only advantage I see to the plastic window, and something that only NA's can do. There are so many other pros to the glass that I would get it, but it doesn't clear my roll bar.

I should have emphasized, the rain rail will only be a possible problem if the top is removed. As long as it is clear of debris and in place, the rain rail should be good for a number of years. If it is brittle, however, it will crack apart when it is removed.

I replaced the top on my '96 about 6 years ago and the rain rail was already starting to crack, but I repaired it with shoe-repair goop and re-installed it instead of buying a new one.

Good luck,

Pat

I just replaced my '96 top. The OEM top itself was fine, the window was brown as yours now is.

I could not find a replacement top that would match the OEM zipper. Any site that bothered to mention it, said that a new zipper would need to be sewn into the old top. That much work makes it advisable to replace the top, IMO.

I ordered a new top from Quiktops.com with an attached rain rail, but the rain rail was puckered and would not install, so I replaced it with the original rain rail, which was in excellent shape (although more fragile than the replacement).

If you are handy, you can replace the top yourself. The biggest problem areas are around the B pillar, where you start the install. Don't trust the sizing and hole placement of the vendor. If you have to move the holes to make the top fit tight against the B pillar, then do it. You don't want the wind noise that comes from an ill-fitting top. If you adjust the B pillar later, then you might end up with puckers that require loosening the brackets around the back to tighten things up. That's a lot of extra work.

I would advise getting detailed installation instructions beforehand. I bought the zippered replacement top that folds without unzipping the window. No one told me that the back two ribs would have to float and that rather than clipping straps on, the installation required riveting the straps to the ribs. Stupid design. Not difficult, but unnecessarily complicated.

Riveting isn't hard. You just need a tool. Tape up the ribs with masking tape before you drill so the bit won't slip around. Hardest thing is getting those carpet clips out. Best to use a pry tool. Screwdriver just breaks them off.

Get a glass replacement window. You'll never have to worry about browning again. And don't kid yourself you can see through that brown window. Sure you can see headlights at night, but visibility during the day is so much reduced I advise against waiting.

Thanks for the advice. Not sure what I will do. Most likely have the top replaced professionally. Hmmm, or sell it as is and get a new one. Yeah, that's the ticket.