The dangers of ice on your rear screen.

[Whiplash]

Went to put the targa roof panel back on the Chim and rear plastic window gave out an almighty bang.

It had cracked from one side to the other. Looked like someone had stuck a knife in it.

The car is currently at Austec getting a new rear screen stitched in.

I can't believe my luck. Apparently "this is common" when you have ice on the car.

Has this happened to anyone else?????

[Barreti]

Yep, trying to squeeze Christmas prezzies onto the rear shelf of the Mrs MGF a few years back.

[V8 GRF]

The plastic screen does become brittle with age and less flexible when the weather is cold, I notice a difference in the 'pliabity' of my screen between Summer and Winter. I'd suggest using a product that keeps the the plasic softer like 303 Aerospace protectant. It definately makes the screen softer and improves the transparency of the materrial, you ccan use it on other plastic parts like your dooe seals to stop them hardening

[chrispitman]

I can recommend this stuff 'Hindsight Plastic Polish' two tubs one is a polish which removes scratches and the whitening of the plastic, the other is a protector.

My rear screen was knackered inbeaded dirt and some paint over spray, it took the whole lot off and really sofened the plastic.

[V8 GRF]

chrispitman said:

I can recommend this stuff 'Hindsight Plastic Polish' two tubs one is a polish which removes scratches and the whitening of the plastic, the other is a protector.

My rear screen was knackered inbeaded dirt and some paint over spray, it took the whole lot off and really sofened the plastic.

Yep I can recommend the Hindsight product as a restorer as well, but I use the 303 as a regular treatment after washing as well. A lot of people recommend the Renovo screen restorer but I've no experience of it.

[T40ORA]

http://www.hindsightuk.com/default.asp
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__aerospace+303+prote...

So these ones?

[wanacoop]

what a bugger!

My rear window is split, from old age i think.

Do you mind me asking how much it's costing you for the new one?

[V8 GRF]

T40ORA said:

http://www.hindsightuk.com/default.asp
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__aerospace+303+prote...

So these ones?

that's the stuff.

[glow worm]

I wouldn't bother with Hindsight...thought it was useless and very expensive....gave mine The Surveyor and he gave it me back.. so must crap .... Renovo best I've found.

[JamesSim]

I have only ever used the Renovo product and wasn't disappointed,although all this care was taken after I had split the screen on my S3 in a winters day, was @ 10deg c and sunny outside but my garage was still about freezing, when I removed the roof.
10 years ago it cost me @ £240.00 to put right.

Best regards,

James

[Dave_M]

As said, the cold makes them brittle which is probably OK until you raise or lower them. I had one replaced about 2 years back for about £200. that was done using far better quality material than the original (thicker and more pliable) and by a specialist trimmer. It was an excellent job though, all unstitching, stitching done by hand.

I would think constant exposure to the sun (!!) would also make them brittle.

[The Surveyor]

glow worm said:

I wouldn't bother with Hindsight...thought it was useless and very expensive....gave mine The Surveyor and he gave it me back.. so must crap .... Renovo best I've found.

Yep, didn't rate the stuff, which is why you got it back . Renovo was much better..

Paul

[.Mark]

wanacoop said:

what a bugger!

My rear window is split, from old age i think.

Do you mind me asking how much it's costing you for the new one?

Some insurance companies will pay for the replacement just leaving you to pay the XS. Ring them and find out.

[V8 GRF]

glow worm said:

I wouldn't bother with Hindsight...thought it was useless and very expensive....gave mine The Surveyor and he gave it me back.. so must crap .... Renovo best I've found.

I disagree that Hindsight's crap. It worked very well for me on my screen and brought back an absolutely knackered one on my sisters Z3. Granted it took over two hours to do both the inside and out with both compounds but as I'm not the only one recommending it

Keith and Paul obviously didn't apply the required elbow grease