Glass top cracking?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 2
From: New York
This past winter (2010) my 2006 Vette also began with that same problem. I took it to my local Chevy dealer and they said GM would have only covered it within the first 3 years or 36,000 miles. My Vette has only 19,300 miles but 5 1/2 years old.
I have been advised that the plastic will be sound and will not break with the spidering cracks. My spidering cracks is only on the drivers side. That plastic is the same material that the military uses in their fighter jet cockpits.
Regards
I have been advised that the plastic will be sound and will not break with the spidering cracks. My spidering cracks is only on the drivers side. That plastic is the same material that the military uses in their fighter jet cockpits.
Regards
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
No one has found a way to stop the "crazing" once it starts, but you can help it from getting worse by avoiding large abrupt temperature changes (squirting COLD water on a hot top), and especially by avoiding most chemicals. Many window cleaners can cause this problem, the GM Glass Cleaner (white foamy stuff in a spray can) works well on plastic or glass.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 40
From: Osage Beach,MO,USA
No one has found a way to stop the "crazing" once it starts, but you can help it from getting worse by avoiding large abrupt temperature changes (squirting COLD water on a hot top), and especially by avoiding most chemicals. Many window cleaners can cause this problem, the GM Glass Cleaner (white foamy stuff in a spray can) works well on plastic or glass.
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Milton GA
I have an 08 coupe that I bought in April that was still in warranty, so I just got a replacement. There was no crazing (spider cracks) in the top when I bought it and it got really bad in the few months I owned it and was fortunate enough to get a new one. Now I have a theory on how they developed that may help avoid them getting worse. It seemed that the crazing got worse the more I removed the top and handled it when it was hot. I live in the South and the temp of the roof in the heat of the day can get pretty high, so as you remove the roof from one side, the uneven loading from how you hold it c
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
From: Visalia California
There is a service bulletin number 08-08-67-001 on this problem. I had the top on my '06 replaced under this. I don't know if they will honor it after warrenty has expired but it might be worth a try to bring it to their attention. ( See thread "anyone else mysteriously get cracks in their roof" posted by Vettedaddy on 3/4/07 )
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to be sure what caused the crazing in any particular case. But speaking generally-
Window cleaners that are not specifically formulated for plastic use, have a long association with crazing in plastic windshields on light airplanes. We have also had reports of this problem with Corvette tops.
I've also seen reports of sudden temperature change causing crazing in clear plastic.
Since "Association is not causation", we can't know for sure what caused the crazing in these cases. But the association is strong enough that I avoid the issues (most glass cleaners, cold water on hot top) and have put about 10 years/150k miles on three Corvettes with only the transparent top, none of them developed any crazing while I owned them.
Just trying to load the dice in my favor.
Window cleaners that are not specifically formulated for plastic use, have a long association with crazing in plastic windshields on light airplanes. We have also had reports of this problem with Corvette tops.
I've also seen reports of sudden temperature change causing crazing in clear plastic.
Since "Association is not causation", we can't know for sure what caused the crazing in these cases. But the association is strong enough that I avoid the issues (most glass cleaners, cold water on hot top) and have put about 10 years/150k miles on three Corvettes with only the transparent top, none of them developed any crazing while I owned them.
Just trying to load the dice in my favor.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I can't understand why they use plastic for the tops.
I owned a 89 Turbo Trans Am with removable T-Tops ... They were glass panels and not plastic.
Obviously, I never had a problem with those tops.
I owned a 89 Turbo Trans Am with removable T-Tops ... They were glass panels and not plastic.
Obviously, I never had a problem with those tops.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
A one-piece glass top would be pretty heavy. Difficult to remove/install, and adds weight up high to the overall car. Probably more expensive, also.
A two piece top would be easier to handle, but I really disliked the center bar on our '98 Camaro T-tops.
Weight and cost are the two things Corvette engineers are always trying to reduce.
A two piece top would be easier to handle, but I really disliked the center bar on our '98 Camaro T-tops.
Weight and cost are the two things Corvette engineers are always trying to reduce.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Aug 28, 2011 at 02:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Thanks everyone for the responces.I have never put any cleaner on the top i did put some wax on it.I do live in Fl so it is very hot when i got the car.I do like taking the top out when it is hot.Well it's not a big deal was just seeing if there was anything i could do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,497
Likes: 127
From: Kissimme now from LI,NY
ya, I'm pretty pissed that my 08 top is doing this also... Obviously out of warranty and I don't think my extended warranty covers it.. Shame on GM... I've never used anything on it to cause this either..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Thanks everyone for the responces.I have never put any cleaner on the top i did put some wax on it.I do live in Fl so it is very hot when i got the car.I do like taking the top out when it is hot.Well it's not a big deal was just seeing if there was anything i could do.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 40
From: Osage Beach,MO,USA
Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to be sure what caused the crazing in any particular case. But speaking generally-
Window cleaners that are not specifically formulated for plastic use, have a long association with crazing in plastic windshields on light airplanes. We have also had reports of this problem with Corvette tops.
I've also seen reports of sudden temperature change causing crazing in clear plastic.
Since "Association is not causation", we can't know for sure what caused the crazing in these cases. But the association is strong enough that I avoid the issues (most glass cleaners, cold water on hot top) and have put about 10 years/150k miles on three Corvettes with only the transparent top, none of them developed any crazing while I owned them.
Just trying to load the dice in my favor.
Window cleaners that are not specifically formulated for plastic use, have a long association with crazing in plastic windshields on light airplanes. We have also had reports of this problem with Corvette tops.
I've also seen reports of sudden temperature change causing crazing in clear plastic.
Since "Association is not causation", we can't know for sure what caused the crazing in these cases. But the association is strong enough that I avoid the issues (most glass cleaners, cold water on hot top) and have put about 10 years/150k miles on three Corvettes with only the transparent top, none of them developed any crazing while I owned them.
Just trying to load the dice in my favor.