Transparent top crazing
03-24-2018, 12:36 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Transparent top crazing
This morning, I washed my 2014 daily driver. For the first time, I noticed crazing in the transparent top. Is there a fix or do I have to find a new top?
03-24-2018, 12:37 PM
#2
Race Director
new top. happened to my C6. loved the top. hated the craze..
03-24-2018, 12:39 PM
#3
What exactly is crazing? Pics?
03-24-2018, 01:19 PM
#5
Geez......sorry to read about this. Under warranty, I hope?
03-24-2018, 01:34 PM
#7
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"Crazing is the phenomenon that produces a network of fine cracks on the surface of a material, for example in a glaze layer. Crazing frequently precedes fracture in some glassy thermoplastic polymers. Crazing occurs in regions of high hydrostatic tension, or in regions of very localized yielding, which leads to the formation of interpenetrating microvoids and small fibrils." - Wikipedia.
Google it.
Google it.
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Skid Row Joe (03-24-2018)
03-24-2018, 01:36 PM
#8
03-24-2018, 01:42 PM
#9
Wondering if the orange peel deniers will show up here too, claiming crazing doesn't happen to C7 transparent roof panels?
03-24-2018, 01:48 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I took it out in the sun, but can’t get it in a photo with my iPhone. The crazing has been reported in the C6 forum. For now, my roof has what appears to be superficial lines. Looks like what happens to polycarbonate headlights.
03-24-2018, 01:53 PM
#11
"Crazing is the phenomenon that produces a network of fine cracks on the surface of a material, for example in a glaze layer. Crazing frequently precedes fracture in some glassy thermoplastic polymers. Crazing occurs in regions of high hydrostatic tension, or in regions of very localized yielding, which leads to the formation of interpenetrating microvoids and small fibrils." - Wikipedia.
Google it.
Google it.
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mschuyler (03-24-2018)
03-24-2018, 02:02 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
What pisses me off is the fact that carbon fiber tops were on constraint when I ordered my car. I was forced to pay extra for a transparent top that I really didn’t want.
Last edited by SRQStingray; 03-24-2018 at 02:03 PM.
03-24-2018, 02:06 PM
#13
Certainly, there's misspelled words, but mostly because of illiteracy or typos. Crazing, is a 《rather》 common term.
03-24-2018, 03:57 PM
#14
Oh dear I knew I should have ordered the solid top. I do think the Lexan top can be painted or maybe vinyl covered if it gets really bad looking.
03-24-2018, 05:48 PM
#15
In my engineering classes way back when we referred to this phenomenon as thermal stress cracking. Happens often when plastics, glasses, or ceramics are cooled unevenly and/or rapidly (from their molten state). Definitely a manufacturing defect. Should be under warranty.
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Skid Row Joe (03-24-2018)
03-24-2018, 05:57 PM
#16
Although not likely, some cleaning agents and industrial pollutants can also attack this material causing crazing.
03-24-2018, 06:00 PM
#17
03-24-2018, 08:31 PM
#18
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That is bizarre. My C5's still perfect.
New ones from China?
(the GM optional spash-guards are)
New ones from China?
(the GM optional spash-guards are)
03-24-2018, 08:37 PM
#19
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I believe the mineral deposits in hard water can do it. I don't know whether it is alkaline or acidic, though. Around here we need to dry off immediately after washing because the well water is so harsh. You can't let it air dry with evaporation because that's when it happens. Incidentally, I first heard the term when applied to pottery where it is sometimes desirable.
03-24-2018, 09:14 PM
#20
Do a search on chemical crazing of polycarbonate and you will find quite a bit. I was aware of this problem through an acquaintance in the electronics component industry who traced failure of a insulator/spacer made with a polycarb formulation to a cleaning agent used by the purchasing company during a subsequent manufacturing step.
Last edited by NSC5; 03-24-2018 at 09:14 PM.