life expectancy - soft top rear window

[finleyfishface]

Hi there,
I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on this.....
I thought (until today) that I was fortunate to have a soft top in perfect condition, having been told it had been replaced in full, and certainly, it looks immaculate.
However I thought that I would clean the window areas, as although they havent yet gone milky or marked/scuffed, they were generally dirty. When I was up close I noticed that in fact I have very small splits at edges where meets mohair, all in the same line, about 6" down from top, all the way accross ! Had i not been cleaning i would never have noticed these, they are all about 3-5mm long. Presumably this is along a 'fold' line.
When I checked my history file (A4 folder!) I note the roof was completely replaced in 2000, which, as my car is a 1992, suggests a 7/8 year life span ?
Just wondered if anyone else had noticed this obviously early sign of things to come !!!
Am now contemplating whether or not to buy the Hindsight product i have read about on this forum, as although I dont have too many marks, I guess what I need do do is maintain the suppleness of the plastic to restrict its splitting.
Is it possible when the time comes to somehow just replace the rear window and two side pieces, it all looks stitched in ?? has anyone had to do this, or does it all have to replaced?


Wish I hadnt decided to clean them now !!!

 

[arthurk]

Hi,

I have a 97 SL320 with original soft top and exactly the same problems as you. I never noticed the small cracks until I too started to clean.

The car was garaged by last owner and used as second car for last 4 years. Unfortunetly I have to keep mine outside in the drive. I purchased Hind sight to try and increase the life of the plastic windows by keeping them supple.

So far these small cracks have not really caused me any problems. the only time a small smidgen of water got in was when I was washing with the hose.

I plan to keep the car max 3 years, so if plastic needs replaced , only time shall tell.

Regards
Kenny

 

[television]

The main thing with these things is to never fold them at temperatures below 10c

 

[finleyfishface]

3 times now i have written this reply !!! damn computers, it keeps loggin me out !!!!!!!!
what I was trying to say was thanks Arthurk, i still dont know whether to buy the hindsight, in hindsight, or wait for the inevitable !! and Hello Malcolm, thats interesting because 10 degrees isnt very cold really is it ?? is that right ? and do you think that purchasing hindsight would be a good idea, in terms of keeping it supple, bearing in mind i have already the splits?
ps I now am running on AMG111's which I got from Chris, and am very pleased with !

 

[television]

Hi david, I am not sure if hindsight really can make the plastic more soft. The further you go below 10c it hardens up as can be seen by any folds that go when its warm.

I think that there has been some improvements this last couple of years, the plastic that BMW use always sparkles more the the MB stuff

 

[finleyfishface]

although i havent seen much interest in my thread, im surprised because its obviously something that affects us all. A colleauge of mine has a Volvo conv, but that has a glass panel in the conv roof, does the new 500 have glass, and I wonder, did it come in on the facelift 230 (or indeed the latest) or not ( as an option maybe???)

 

[television]

This was covered a few months back, most 129 owners are out with there tops down.

Do a search it should bring it all up, or you can just go back through the bodywork section.

The 230 has a folding metal roof

I never know why sometimes a thread can go for 10 sides and another time it only gets a few answers

 

[arthurk]

finleyfishface,

My decision to buy Hind sight was to try to avoid the inevitable... same as you. You should give Hindsight a call. Hindsight 1 does not repair cracks, but it does claim to soften the plastic. Hindsight 2 is the polish. When I bought mine over the phone the girl said that the chemist who invented the product was avaliable to talk to on Mon/Tuesdays, and he cold give more details of the product.

Like Television says, I trailed the threads and hindsight consistantly came up with a good reputation.

I cannot remember exactly how much it cost - 30-40 quid. I thought that this would be worth the investment. Could have bought something cheaper in halfords, however you would have always wished you spent the extra £20.

Regards
Kenny

 

[finleyfishface]

thanks Kenny and thanks Malcolm....