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Clear top louder than solid top?

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Old May 13, 2011 | 12:28 PM
  #1  
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Default Clear top louder than solid top?

I am talking about wind/air and road noise at high speed. When I bought my car, the top made a (common) popping/creaking noise and had an air leak on the passenger side. After searching in the FAQ section I found the solution to those issues by greasing the latches, weatherstrip and adjusting the strikers.

Now I notice alot of wind and air noise going over the car. The air leak, before, had a piercing sound to it (like static on the radio). This just sounds like wind outside the car but seems concentrated at the top of the windshield.

I have heard the solid top has better sound insulation, is this true? Is the sound I am hearing typical of a glass top and would the solid top fix it?
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Old May 13, 2011 | 01:15 PM
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I've got the clear top and haven't noticed excessive wind noise overhead.
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Old May 13, 2011 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Who Needs Turbo
I've got the clear top and haven't noticed excessive wind noise overhead.


Lube, lube & more lube is the key. Lube the rollers.
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Old May 13, 2011 | 01:32 PM
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The painted top is slightly quieter just by virtue of having a fabric roof panel liner glued to it.

If you have a piercing, whistle or wind noise from your transparent top you might check the fit at the front above the windshield. If one panel is sticking up in to the oncoming wind it can contribute to new and unusual wind noises as air flows over the windshield and slams in to the front lip of the roof panel. The height can be adjusted by moving the latch receivers.
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Old May 13, 2011 | 02:17 PM
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Clear top is louder....and pops and creaks more.
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Old May 13, 2011 | 02:47 PM
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I have the transparent top on my '09 which initially made noise. I put shrink tubing over the locating posts and have never heard another sound of any kind in almost three years. I also installed padded cloth headliners which insulate and add soundproofing, especially by absorbing reflected interior noise.
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Old May 13, 2011 | 03:52 PM
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my clear top (bought afterward) seems to be a bit noisier but not by much. certainly nothing objectionable.
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Old May 13, 2011 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by hawkgfr
Clear top is louder....and pops and creaks more.
True. I own both.
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Old May 13, 2011 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Scruff Vette
True. I own both.
Me too and I like the painted top better. More insulation against temperature changes and noise.

Glass top gets interior hot when sun is out.
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Old May 13, 2011 | 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by LS WON
Me too and I like the painted top better. More insulation against temperature changes and noise.

Glass top gets interior hot when sun is out.
Same here. Glass top is used in spring/fall, painted top throughout summer. (When we're not topless, that is!)
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Old May 13, 2011 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by hootie
Same here. Glass top is used in spring/fall, painted top throughout summer. (When we're not topless, that is!)
I only use glass top during winter or when there is less sun.
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Old May 14, 2011 | 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by laconiajack
I have the transparent top on my '09 which initially made noise. I put shrink tubing over the locating posts and have never heard another sound of any kind in almost three years. I also installed padded cloth headliners which insulate and add soundproofing, especially by absorbing reflected interior noise.
I have a minor air leak on the drivers side, maybe your solution will work for me, what is shrink tubing?
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Old May 14, 2011 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Shifter6
I am talking about wind/air and road noise at high speed. When I bought my car, the top made a (common) popping/creaking noise and had an air leak on the passenger side. After searching in the FAQ section I found the solution to those issues by greasing the latches, weatherstrip and adjusting the strikers.

Now I notice alot of wind and air noise going over the car. The air leak, before, had a piercing sound to it (like static on the radio). This just sounds like wind outside the car but seems concentrated at the top of the windshield.

I have heard the solid top has better sound insulation, is this true? Is the sound I am hearing typical of a glass top and would the solid top fix it?
The clear to is noisier than the solid one for sure. Its thinner lighter and has no insulation.
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Old May 14, 2011 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by JB'sVETTE
I have a minor air leak on the drivers side, maybe your solution will work for me, what is shrink tubing?
Usually black tubing that shrinks with high heat, used to insulate wiring. You can get this at Radio Shack in various sizes. Shrink it for a tight fit with a hair dryer on high heat setting.
coop
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Old May 14, 2011 | 08:01 PM
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clear tops are a lil louder
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