1989 Mazda MX5 - Just cracked plastic rear screen??

[daemon]

Just bought a 1989 MX5 / Eunos / Miata with the flexible plastic rear screen yesterday, put the hood down and managed to split the rear screen!!

I've seen some posts on other forums RE: replacing this with 4mm perspex, but

(a) is that doable?
(b) is there a better way to resolve?
(c) surely the perspex needs to fold?

Hope someone can help!!

[Richyvrlimited]

daemon said:

Just bought a 1989 MX5 / Eunos / Miata with the flexible plastic rear screen yesterday, put the hood down and managed to split the rear screen!!

I've seen some posts on other forums RE: replacing this with 4mm perspex, but

(a) is that doable?
(b) is there a better way to resolve?
(c) surely the perspex needs to fold?

Hope someone can help!!

That's why you ALWAYS unzip the rear window before opening the top. Paticularly when it's colder as the plastic goes brittle and as you sound out cracks.

A better alternative to perspex is a glass rear window, easy enough to modify the frame so it doesn't fold the top in the middle of the screen.

[mneame]

As a temp measure you can buy repair tape. I think you can just have the window replaced for the long term. Not sure if it's DIY though.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Richyvrlimited said:

A better alternative to perspex is a glass rear window, easy enough to modify the frame so it doesn't fold the top in the middle of the screen.

Hmmm. This is something I did already know but it's made me think... It doesn't help the OP at all and I've never really thought about it before but would it be possible to modify the frame so that it goes down without folding the rear window but leaving the plastic window in? I guess the window might need some stiffening to make it stay flat while folding but would that be doable?
It doesn't matter to me at all, just interested

[jimslops]

Richyvrlimited said:

That's why you ALWAYS unzip the rear window before opening the top. Paticularly when it's colder as the plastic goes brittle and as you sound out cracks.

A better alternative to perspex is a glass rear window, easy enough to modify the frame so it doesn't fold the top in the middle of the screen.

Not all have zips unfortunately so a case of being very careful or don't do it at all.

[Risotto]

If the zipper has 'MX5' stamped on it, I believe it's OEM, in which case you could buy a replacement rear section and it will zip onto the hood you have.

Mind you, if it's a 1989, the chances of it having an OEM hood are pretty slim. Replacement rear sections are getting thin on the ground too.

Edited by Risotto on Tuesday 24th January 12:05

[jimslops]

It is possible to have a window put in, you just need to find the right comnpany.

I have another hood lying around that I might be looking to get fixed, so I might be able to give you good price.

[Richyvrlimited]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Hmmm. This is something I did already know but it's made me think... It doesn't help the OP at all and I've never really thought about it before but would it be possible to modify the frame so that it goes down without folding the rear window but leaving the plastic window in? I guess the window might need some stiffening to make it stay flat while folding but would that be doable?
It doesn't matter to me at all, just interested

Yes, the hoop just above the rear window needs to be disconnected from the frame a-la the MK2 frame.

[Raffles]

I DIY'd the zip-in plastic rear window in mine and found it an easy enough job.

[daemon]

Richyvrlimited said:

daemon said:

Just bought a 1989 MX5 / Eunos / Miata with the flexible plastic rear screen yesterday, put the hood down and managed to split the rear screen!!

I've seen some posts on other forums RE: replacing this with 4mm perspex, but

(a) is that doable?
(b) is there a better way to resolve?
(c) surely the perspex needs to fold?

Hope someone can help!!

That's why you ALWAYS unzip the rear window before opening the top. Paticularly when it's colder as the plastic goes brittle and as you sound out cracks.

Aye. Found that out the hard way. I'd a mk2.5 mx5 and an mg tf last year, both had glass screens so i'd never thought about there being any issues with the perspex one.

[daemon]

mneame said:

As a temp measure you can buy repair tape. I think you can just have the window replaced for the long term. Not sure if it's DIY though.

I've duct tape on it as we speak. In for some bodywork, so that'll do til i get the time / info to sort it

[daemon]

Raffles said:

I DIY'd the zip-in plastic rear window in mine and found it an easy enough job.

Where did you get the zip in part? Mines a zip in one - the cars in a bodyshop now, so cant currently check if its a genuine hood.

[jimslops]

daemon said:

Where did you get the zip in part? Mines a zip in one - the cars in a bodyshop now, so cant currently check if its a genuine hood.

try mx5 heaven

[daemon]

jimslops said:

daemon said:

Where did you get the zip in part? Mines a zip in one - the cars in a bodyshop now, so cant currently check if its a genuine hood.

try mx5 heaven

Cheers.

Will do.

[Raffles]

daemon said:

Where did you get the zip in part? Mines a zip in one - the cars in a bodyshop now, so cant currently check if its a genuine hood.

I got mine from MX-5 Parts