[rxter]

A few pics of the window. All of these are from the inside. The second is a black think I taped to the garage door for some contrast, and the third is that plus the rear deck, which shows the spots pretty well.



I tried a gentle application of Novus 1, then Novus 2, then Novus 1 again. The window looked cleaner, but the spots are still there. No yellowing or fading, just slightly cloudy and those darned spots. The plastic is still very supple and I am convinced that with the right product and technique it will come back to Day 1 condition. Any thoughts? And I have no idea how the window got this way - looked like this when I picked the car up.



Thanks



   



   



   

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[flash]

can you feel the spots with your fingernail?

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[rxter]

not really. Although I can scratch the window pretty easily with my fingernails <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Both sides of the window feel smooth to the touch. Last year I cleaned the window thoroughly with Plexus which did not remove the spots of impact the general cloudiness.

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[flash]

i have novus 3 here - that should take it out



did you try with a buffer or by hand? a buffer really works much better

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[rxter]

I've got 3 as well. I was trying it out gently - did not haul out the buffer yet. I expected to see some progress with hand buffing. I'll tape if off and get some new micro bonnets today.

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[flash]

ah - definitely use the orbital (NOT a polisher) - start again with novus 1 - i think you'll find that it takes care of it

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[rxter]

No Dice. Used a 6" orbital with terry bonnets, per the mfg instructions (Novus recommends against polyester, which is most of what a microfiber cloth is made from). Started with 1, went to 2, and even to 3. About 3 minutes on 1/3 of the window (8 or so repeat passes on every square inch) both outside and inside. The plastic looks clean enough to have sex on, but the spots are still there - argghhhhh.



Darryl any thoughts on this one?



Every see damage from a cleaner - maybe someone cleaned it with degreaser or something.



What's a new window cost???? Fortunately I have the top down most of the time, but when its up it looks like I just drove through a puddle.

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[flash]

you can't change just the window without removing the top - the rear panel section is sold separately, but again, the top has to come apart to change it



it sounds like somebody sprayed a cleaner or something on it

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[Darryl]

I've had good success polishing out scratches and other haze type damage using a random orbital polisher (Porter Cable 7424) with 4" foam pads...regular medium cutting polish (as opposed to plastic specific polish) with appropriate pad. Then finer polish on finer pad just like you would with your paint. Finally, Novus 1 or Meguire's PlastX on a microfiber applicator pad as a final.



I guess it's possible that the larger pad and the terry cloth material didn't provide enough abrasion to work these out. If they are ON the plastic, then they should be able to get polished away. If they are somehow IN the plastic, then you're barking up the wrong tree. Who knows what this has been subjected to in past lives.



- Darryl

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[Ryan]

The spots could be mineral deposits from hard water or it could be from acid rain. I have not tried this, but CLR could be used on a cotton ball to see if it would dissolve the deposit. Then you could polish after that.

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[rxter]

I thought about the CLR, or maybe just vinegar. .



I have seen 70% IPA literally dissolve some plastics - anyone know if vinegar and our vinyl windows are compatible?



I took a look at it this AM with good lighting. Even though I can't feel the spots they appear to be on the outside surface. I read a lot of good reports on the Plastx so I picked up a bottle of that, although my suspicion is that it will be no better than the Novus 2. These consumer products are usually designed to work on mild to moderate issues. Tonight I'll try some vinegar, then CLR and see what that does. Then I'll go to the buffer with the PlastX. After that I guess it's to the big boys - maybe the porter cable orbital polisher and a cutting pad.

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[DaveN]

My God! I have drunk a lot of IPA, didn't know it was that corrosive <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Better got back to the black Irish just to be safe.

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[biotechee]

Rxter-



You can remove just the rear section of the cab roof to get to the window if you're so inclined. From what I have seen, it is not necessary mechanically/technically complicated, but is time consuming and perhaps daunting the first time. I have instructions on how to do it that I can send to you, I received them from another 968 owner who has done it successfully. I plan on doing this and getting a new window put in at some point...



One consequence of replacing the window would be the subsequent water resistance/repellancy of the new "seam" - I don't drive in the rain unless I get caught so I am not worried about that.



Shoot me a pm with your email addy and I'll get it to you (PDF) next week as I haven't scanned the DIY yet and I need to do that from work.

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[rxter]

PM sent. Vinegar did nothing. CLR did nothing.



I tried the PlastX - worked it pretty hard. Then added some Novus 3. Then cleaned it off with Novus 1. Seemed to actually be getting worse. The spots were not coming off but I was dulling the vinyl with all of that abrasion.



So I bailed and decided to just clean it up and come back to it later. Put a microfiber pad on the buffer and hosed it with Plexus. Damned if that did not work. I did not get all of the spots, but I can feel them with my hands now, and the window is considerably cleaner with 70% of the spots either removed or greatly reduced. I'll hit it again tomorrow and see if I can get it back to original - looking good at this point.

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