This is what the windows on the soft top of my recently purchased wrangler looks like. From the outside, closeup, and inside. Guessing that its severe sun damage. Is there any saving them with some kind of harsh plastic polish or are they a lost cause? This is what they look like after putting some VRP on them, as well. They did look even worse.
Any saving these windows?
- Thread starter KingEarthGod
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- help soft top window
Mostly likely going to need to purchase new windows. Also not sure if you can get that color. I've only seen black.
Spend a day with polishing compounds. You will get physically worn out before they get perfectly clear again, but they will be much better than what they are now.
A bit of light oil will help temporarily. Dust collects fast and kinda spoils that, but it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
You can do it by hand but an orbital polisher would be better. Too much elbow grease and the flexible plastic can deform permanently. A super light touch with the orbital is a better option.
If all else fails, you give up on it and you consider it junk and only as a last ditch effort would I try this. I've never done this. Remove the window and lay it on a flat surface, grab a propane torch and see if you can slightly melt the surface of the plastic. You want it on a flat surface so it doesn't deform. My theory behind this would be the same as plastic trim, where it looks chalky and faded. You hit it with a propane torch and the plastic slightly melts, and it looks black and shiny again. Once again, I would only try this as a last ditch effort and I have never tried it myself.
I got so tired of dealing with this crap we bought a hardtop . You may be able to deal with it by the polishes and buffing if your Jeep spends most of it's time on pavement . However if you drive on muddy , snowy , dusty , mountain dirt roads it's a lost cause. I've polished , clean and finally replace the soft top windows.
If your Jeep is a off road toy , you may be able to get by with polishes , If you commute in the winter on dirt roads , you will hate them . Having a soft top rear window that you can't close , if you open it it the winter was another minus for me .
If your Jeep is a off road toy , you may be able to get by with polishes , If you commute in the winter on dirt roads , you will hate them . Having a soft top rear window that you can't close , if you open it it the winter was another minus for me .
This is a diminishing returns option, but it's a real last ditch option.
Looking closely that looks like small fractures in the plastic. If so polish is a no go
Best Top sells a window-cleaning polish that works pretty well. Don't use harsh chemicals, or it will become brittle.
After watching a video on Novus, I would start with that.
After watching a video on Novus, I would start with that.
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The best solution I’ve found to keep my windows pristine is to leave them hanging in the garage eight months outta the year. With a soft blanket over them Mine are six years old and look brand new.
This is a back window that is used for trails, so it gets scratched and abused. 10 minutes with a random orbital buffer and it's usable again. In your case, you'll need to do multiple steps, from course to fine buffing pads, and different compounds. In the end it will be much better, but not perfect. What you're okay with is totally up to you.
The sexy silhouette in the shower , just isn't the same thing when looking out the rear window of a Jeep. 
Is 8pm tonight too late for me to drop mine off for a buffing? I'm forced to park my Jeep in my brother's yard because of HOA rules where I live. Damn sap on my Jeep windows and F'ing mice have destroyed my car inside the cabin air filter box.
p.s. Note to everyone with mice issues. NO natural sprays or packs with mint, cinnamon, or pepper actually work. This is the only solution. You choose.
P.p.s. The Lizard will eat the entire mouse/rat. My cat chews the heads off and leaves the remains to thank me.
p.p.s. Her Dentist says she's doing things right.
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I changed my mind about your rear window after looking more closely at the cracks. I had an off-the-pavement or something like that soft top. I purchased the bestop rear window for $120 new. It was not the same brand, but it fit perfectly. You can't polish a turd. Keep the old one for the trails.
https://www.bestop.com/products/service-part-service-ctn-5472035/?sku=485.90P
If the polish doesn't get it done, you could definitely wet sand with 1000grit, 2000grit and then go to compound and then polish.
Years ago I had the issue where trail use with the rear window rolled up and the dust that got in there caused scratches and compounded and polished mine and then treated with a Meguiar's PlastX. It's held up for many years, but I don't use my soft top regularly and zip out the windows entirely now.
Years ago I had the issue where trail use with the rear window rolled up and the dust that got in there caused scratches and compounded and polished mine and then treated with a Meguiar's PlastX. It's held up for many years, but I don't use my soft top regularly and zip out the windows entirely now.
Is 8pm tonight too late for me to drop mine off for a buffing? I'm forced to park my Jeep in my brother's yard because of HOA rules where I live. Damn sap on my Jeep windows and F'ing mice have destroyed my car inside the cabin air filter box.
p.s. Note to everyone with mice issues. NO natural sprays or packs with mint, cinnamon, or pepper actually work. This is the only solution. You choose.
P.p.s. The Lizard will eat the entire mouse/rat. My cat chews the heads off and leaves the remains to thank me.
p.p.s. Her Dentist says she's doing things right.
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You're always welcome to drop by, during regular business hours!
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