How would I refurbish my transparent top?
08-18-2019, 10:35 PM
#1
How would I refurbish my transparent top?
I just got this car and am about to ceramic coat it, I want to get this as good looking as I can before I can do that. Does anybody have a clue how I can repair it?
08-18-2019, 11:03 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Aug 2009
Location: Sturgeon County Alberta
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Can’t tell from the pics if those are just scratches....I have used a 2 stage plastic polish from 3M with amazing results.
Last edited by Vegas1500; 08-18-2019 at 11:04 PM.
08-18-2019, 11:04 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
Is that crazing or water spots?
08-19-2019, 01:02 AM
#4
Moderator
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2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
St. Jude Donor '18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
novus makes a 3 part system for plastics, but some look deep to me.. might need heavier buffing
08-19-2019, 02:40 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
Check with a local plastics manufacturer or body shop... A buddy had to do some work on his and they were able to steer him straight... IIRC there is a coating that needs to be considered, but that was over a year ago...
08-19-2019, 07:08 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
That is the UV coating crazing, just like the problem that the C6 had with the same type of coating crazing on the headlights . The only way to "fix it" is to sand the UV coating off and then polish the top or sand the top and clear coat it
Dave
Dave
08-19-2019, 12:56 PM
#8
Safety Car
Looking thru some of the older threads in the C5 & C6 area I read reports of spider cracks / crazing - seems sanding and re-coating was the way to go. I just did a small test area with some glazing compound by hand and it helped. So with the right equipment and technique I bet it would clean up just fine. Personally I am not really a fan of the transparent top here in FL (too hot) so I think I'll just wrap vinyl mine and cover it up.
Bummer that GM hasn't come up with a better solution as previous generations of transparent plastic pieces suffer from this
08-19-2019, 01:12 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
FWIW, there have been various threads that mentioned care and feeding of the transparent top, and ammonia was mentioned as the crazing culprit, and the recommendation was to use GM cleaners and windshield washer fluid.
Figuring it couldn't hurt and was worth spending a few bucks, I bought both
Optikleen washer fluid concentrate - GM PN 1051515
Spray glass cleaner GM PN 10-816
Figuring it couldn't hurt and was worth spending a few bucks, I bought both
Optikleen washer fluid concentrate - GM PN 1051515
Spray glass cleaner GM PN 10-816
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08-19-2019, 08:08 PM
#10
Race Director
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As I recall, when I got my C5 the Manual said to use nothing on it but mild soap and water. But, in short order I opted to use carnauba paste. That was 18 years ago and it still looks fine. Guess what I use on my C7's? 
08-19-2019, 11:48 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
the clear top is actually made of some form of plastic, not glass? i suppose weight is a thing, yeah.. but still.
in any case, thats got a hot date with a rupes DA polisher and some associated gook.. not hte compounding stuff, just the stuff for polishing. find a reputable detail shop, etcetc.
in any case, thats got a hot date with a rupes DA polisher and some associated gook.. not hte compounding stuff, just the stuff for polishing. find a reputable detail shop, etcetc.
08-20-2019, 08:05 AM
#13
Race Director
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Wet sanding.
Start with 400 (if it’s really bad or 800 if not real bad) then keep stepping it up 1000, 1500, 2000 then polish with a wheel with 2 or 3 grades of polishing compound.
Start with 400 (if it’s really bad or 800 if not real bad) then keep stepping it up 1000, 1500, 2000 then polish with a wheel with 2 or 3 grades of polishing compound.
