jjaaam

My glass top on my 2003 has the crazing on it. Actually, I was dumb enough to think that it was supposed to have a "frosted" finish on it when I got it...and quite honestly, the "hazy" look doesn't really bother me all that much.

What DOES bother me is that it looks like it has what I'm calling "water lines" on it. I'm not close where I can take pics, and that might not be the best description, but it looks like the top was wet or had soap on it and it was then driven. You know how water moves when a car is in motion....it looks like that.

I'll try to get pics later tomorrow (I'm at work ).

Problem is I thought that I could get these marks out. I can't. Tried rubbing compound and everything.

If what I am saying makes any sense am I looking at a whole wet-sand/polish job? Like I said...the haziness doesn't bug me but the marks do...

Sorry if I'm not describing this right...

rrichar2591

The targa top contains a Lexan material that can scar easily. I really wouldn't want to use a rubbing compound on it. You now may be faced with either a complete refinish or finding a used top in good condition if you can. You also could post this same question in the car care section and see what kind of response you get. There are some pro detailers that hang out there.

I think I also read a thread here about a potential group buy on a clear top. Good luck

jjaaam

Just posted it over there. Thanks!

Vetteman Jack

You might try a little vinegar mixed in some water and see if that takes the spots out. Also, perhaps using a claybar with some detailing spray would get the spots off.

allred

http://www.astrotops.com/97_present.html

jcsperson

If it's true that their tops won't craze, that's a heck of a deal.

I got some minor parking lot rash on my driver's side door that needs to be fixed. When they're shooting that I'm considering having them do my top too, it's starting to look nasty.

Puniphorous

Not sure if you have tried Mop-n-Glo, but it's magic on small clear plastic parts. Dilute with water apply with a spray bottle. Worth a try if you are gonna replace the lid anyway.

nschiff

There is some sort of a protective coating on the lexan. The only way I could get mine to shine was to wet sand and buff the hell out of it to remove the coating. What worked the best was to use 3M Super duty rubbing compound with a buffer with a wool pad. Dont get it too hot and keep it moving. Once the coating is gone then sand with 2000 grit and move on to lighter compounds with a foam pad. It takes a while and if you are not comfortable with color sanding and buffing you may want to find a detail guy. It will shine up.

Fcar 98

The lexan top is coated with clear. Just like the rest of the car. My opinion, the top deterioration is because they are not protected from the sun. My top is as clear as the day I brought it home. 22 years ago. Since day one it was polished with zanio that has UV protection. Some don’t know what to do with that roof.

nschiff

It is a clear but not like the rest of the car. It is much harder and thicker. Defiantly not the same clear. Whatever it is it more prone to UV damage. Not many of us are lucky enough to acquire a car that has been cared for like yours.

heggsc5

There are many threads about refinishing your top here if you want to try it yourself. I don't really like my transparent top, so I figured what the hell and refinished it myself. It's not perfect, but it's about 90%. Started with 400 grit because that was the only thing that would get through the top coat and ended with 3000. Spent about $100 in materials (probably could have spent less) and took probably 10 hours one weekend.

Bubba1951

If anyone has ever used window cleaner with ammonia (most windex type products) it jumpstarts the crazing process on anything lexan. Once you get it started your pretty much screwed. I know a lot of boat hatches have been ruined by those products. Don’t know if corvette owners have done this but it may explain why some seem to be doing fine while others are a mess.

Fcar 98

Are the boat hatches clear coated? The lexan top on the corvette are. I don’t know if ammonia will affect the clear like that.

Bubba1951

They have some type of a coating but do not know what it is.

Ramets

Original post is from 2014?????

jjaaam

LOL...yup, and I’m the OP.

I ended up dealing with it for several more years, and then last year I bought a replacement. Several times I tried the refinishing routine and it always looked terrible.

Ramets

I wish I had seen the original post. I've refurbished a couple tops, and they both came out like new. I could have walked you through the process.They're really not hard to do, just takes a little time.

Fcar 98

If you replaced it with another Lexan top my key is polish it every time you polish the car.

STALION

PITA to refinish. Can be done, but takes a lot of time. In the end I had mine painted and color matched.

Ramets

Not really, I've done two, and each one took a day. See above at my before and after pics.