Plastic rear window...change in my process for detailing

[razingkane]

My BMW Z3 rear window is plastic. There's a rule in the family that if the top is down then the blanket is on as I replaced the plastic window last April. This blanket is an upgraded version of BMW's rear window blanket having extra padding in specific areas.

3 times a year I use Meguiar's 3 step program for plastic windows. 17 Cleaner, 10 Polish, and 18 Detailer with 18 being used after each car wash. As with other Meguiar's products....these products work great.

I have some very light scratches so I'm gonna use PlastiX. It says it's a Cleaner & Polish so do I skip 17 and 10 and just use 18 the Detailer after using PlastX?

[CieraSL]

Re: Plastic rear window...change in my process for detailing

Yes. PlastX is just an AIO for plastic, rather than having to do the separate steps. So yeah, PlastX and then the plastic detailer.

[TOGWT]

Re: Plastic rear window...change in my process for detailing

Rear Window (Roadster)

The fogging on polyvinyl occurs when the plasticizers in the material evaporate due to UV radiation and heat exposure. The plasticizers maintain its softness and flexibility; a good plastic polish (Plexus) will remove scratches and the fogginess and maintain its flexibility.

To avoid friction of the vinyl rear window material of a roaster or convertible, place a 100% cotton micro fibre towel, front and back, before putting the top down. Do not use terry cloth towelling, as this is abrasive and will cause scratches.. This will also avoid any transfer of product to the rear window from the tops fabric dressing.

Avoid putting the top down when the material is damp or wet as this encourages mould and mildew to form

The material used for the 'plastic' windows in convertible tops, soft-tops, is a specialized type of vinyl called 'Pressed Polished Sheets'. This material is actually composed of two layers of non-colour vinyl laminated together under intense pressure and high heat; this process squeezes out all the impurities and renders it optically clear. If the glass begins to separate from the fabric; use a suitable adhesive and reaffix before it separates

To restore clarity use a specialized polymer (303™ Space Protectant) it does this by making the light go straight through the almost invisible, tiny scratches which are still there causing the light to bend slightly, reducing the clarity.

Application: spray on and then wipe completely dry. Using a second clean and dry micro fibre towel to remove any excess product and polish to a high gloss. This product provides an invisible, non-oily, protective finish that is repellent to dust, dirt, fingerprints, etc. Your treated vinyl will stay cleaner longer and clean up easier the next time you clean it. Periodic cleaning and re-treating maintains this clarity and repellency, and will also provide UV protection.

Renovo Liquid plastic window polish, restores transparency, removes cloudiness, reduces scratches and staining, cleans and conditions in minutes, wipe it on and polish it off



An extract from “Convertible Top Detailing and How-to extend its life”, one of a series of 120 unbiased technical papers “The Science of Detailing”, a library of educational materials that has become the #1 reference for car care on the Internet

Chances are you'll learn something about detailing if you read any of these; although these articles will not improve your detailing skills, lead to a successful business or change your life. Applying what you learn from it, however, will. That's where your commitment comes in - you need to make a commitment to yourself right now that you will take action on what you learn.

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[Michael Stoops]

Re: Plastic rear window...change in my process for detailing

My BMW Z3 rear window is plastic. There's a rule in the family that if the top is down then the blanket is on as I replaced the plastic window last April. This blanket is an upgraded version of BMW's rear window blanket having extra padding in specific areas.

3 times a year I use Meguiar's 3 step program for plastic windows. 17 Cleaner, 10 Polish, and 18 Detailer with 18 being used after each car wash. As with other Meguiar's products....these products work great.

I have some very light scratches so I'm gonna use PlastiX. It says it's a Cleaner & Polish so do I skip 17 and 10 and just use 18 the Detailer after using PlastX?

Yes, PlastX would essentially be like having 17 & 10 in the same bottle, plus a little bit of protection as an added bonus. Great stuff, and it should serve you well. Sounds like you're doing a great job of otherwise protecting that window when the top is down!