TRANSPARENT TOP CRAZING question
 

Two years ago I bought a used clear top from a forum member for my 2011GS. It was from a 2009. Well, it finally developed the crazing. Can't really tell from inside or more than few feet away outside but it still bothers me. A few years back I had a company put a window film with graphics on my business store front windows. From inside you look out and do not see the graphics, only a darker tint. Pretty neat actually. Up close you can see into my store like looking through dark tint. If you look at the film up close from outside it is actually not solid but has tiny holes/perforations throughout. I was wondering if covering the top in this black film might be a solution. It is an exterior product that you can still see through. It would not be as glossy and it would probably cost $100 or less. It should hide the crazing. I just hate to spend another $800 for that piece of polycarbonate plastic(crash panel?) Any thoughts/ideas?

Hmmm Good question! I just bought a new top off a forum member and have been considering having the top I replaced covered with that carbon fiber overlay I have seen advertised. Not sure if that can be done with the crazed top?

How would they seal the overlay you are considering? I fear the direct sun may be the enemy.

It is applied pretty much like the inside window tint film but it is an exterior product. It could be cut to fit right up against the molding on the top. It should handle the sun as it is made for exterior windows but not sure of long term durability.

I can't see it hurting anything. Try it out and let us know how it works!

yes let us know !

if it makes you feel any better mine is crazing also

Bought it from a forum member a year ago and it was fine but I leave mine on the car all year except in the summer months when its to hot

Started to notice the crazing while looking out from the inside a certain way into the sun .... cant see it from the outside yet and most of the time you cant even see it from the inside but I can assure you its there and can only get worse
Dave

they all do it at some point.. pisses me off to no end but I do like the look of it from the inside and outside so I deal with it..

I now have a spare transparent top (crazed & spider webbed) that I was going to cover with a gloss black wrap, and add the interior headliners to make it much like a solid color top, but lighter.

I'd be interested in finding out how this exterior tint would work. I see a piece of 20% exterior window tint (6'x5') is less than $60.00 from Windowtint.com

If you decide to go this route, let me know the outcome. It would be nice if it did indeed hide the crazing-spider webbing effect.

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Crazing on top remedy
 

I bought a used top that was crazed took it to a bodyshop they sanded the crazing out and shot urethane clear on it looks like new.

I heard of this. How long is the process of sanding to remove all the mess, and the cost. Would they ever do it again, or an experiment that was done once.

Yes I would like to know the same ....

Wondering the same as well. Discovered some crazing on my transparent top after seeing it in the bright sun. Disappointing :( Would love a way to get this fixed without ordering a brand new top.

The only way I could see that working is if the urethane somehow penetrates the tiny cracks to make it more invisible like a windshield repair. It would be interesting to know what kind of urethane they used. I also wonder if it would work on headlight lenses.

Top crazing
 

they had the top for 3 days . I live in sierra vista az . They got all of the crazing out i just have two small cracks on the edge that can't be seen. The cost was 350.00 to 400.00 the body shop is the name of the shop located at 588 myer dr. 520-459-2047

The crazing is caused by the type of clear gm used on the lexan top by sanding the clear off and buffing it and spraying a clear coat that flexes works . The surface is smooth from the sanding and buffing.

The crazing is in the clear coat used.

How much did the shop charge you to fix this? I may check out some shops when summer is over and I put the transparent top back on.

Really .. makes sense , must be the same coating that they used on the headlights ....

Dave

Has anybody ever tried this solution.
It helps to protect your paint from chipping
it could also help protect you roofpanel.
When applied correctly its not visible


Maybe some of the forum sponsors will sell the foil.