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I just purchased an '00 Silverstone (my first ragtop). Some Miata guys I know told me I needed to unzip the plastic window from the top when I drop it to prevent folding it. When I tried to unzip it, a rubber seal just past the second piece of velcro began to tear. Before I do something dumb, can someone tell me if I'm supposed to be messing with this zipper?
Oh and don't listen to those Miata guys. If you are worried, there are a couple of sponsors folks sell in window protector tubes (Muz is one of them) It's basically a pool noodle, cut slightly larger than the width of the window and covered in a soft fabric. When you drop the top, stop about half way down. From outside the car, roll the tube into the pocket made by the window. Finish lowering the top.
Another guy had a lot of luck by just putting static cling type window tint on the rear window.
The zipper is not suppose to be used at all. I'm not really sure why it's there, but I remember someone saying that it helps with the removal/installation of the entire back piece.
Just for the record, the Miata guys weren't totally wrong. The zipper does need to be unzipped before a Miata top goes down. They probably thought this was the case with our cars, too.
Some people do make them out of pool noodles but my tubes are actually made out of good quality rubber (with a velour outer sleeve) that will always retain it's shape. Pool noodles are a hard foam if I'm not mistaken.
After scratching up my original plastic window so badly that I had to get it replaced, I always put a towel underneath it and also into the fold from the outside when I lower the top. Of course, I hardly ever put the top up. If you're too cheap to buy a roof well mat and protector tube, use a towel. But use something or you will scratch it.
I am a user not a seller of "stuff" but I will
tell ya you gota have the roof well mat and protector tube or go with the towel. If not your
rear window will be a mess of scratches and wrinkles in a very short period of time.
newbie plastic window question
If you are worried, there are a couple of sponsors folks sell in window protector tubes (Muz is one of them) It's basically a pool noodle, cut slightly larger than the width of the window and covered in a soft fabric. When you drop the top, stop about half way down. From outside the car, roll the tube into the pocket made by the window. Finish lowering the top.
