Can This Be True? Convertible Rear Window Cleaning

[Larry E.]

[Mark F.]

Re: Can This Be True? Convertible Rear Window Cleaning

Got the following from another forum. Can this be true? Do not try this without
confirmation. Thanks; Please comment>Larry "You are going to think I’ve gone crazy in my old age, but -my wife was helping with the detail work on my Corvair convertible by shining the stainless trim below the plastic rear window using Weimar Stainless Steel Cleaner in a spray can. Of course some of the cleaner got on the window. Amazingly, as she was wiping it off, the cleaner had turned the “foggy” plastic area under the overspray into an almost crystal clear finish. We did the whole window prior to an AACA GN making it look like brand new! I don’t understand the chemistry but it worked. "

Checking the Safety Data Sheet for Weiman (note different spelling) Stainless Steel Cleaner there’s nuthin’ fancy or hazardous in terms of ingredients they list:
Chemical Name: White mineral oil, petroleum
CAS Number: 8042-47-5
Wt % 10-30

https://weiman.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/584

My guess is the oil produced a sheen masking the crazing (optically)...IOW, the crazing is still there...
I'd be interested to see if it remained "crystal clear" 2 or 3 weeks later as the oil slowly volatilized...

I've seen this same effect using a product on an old rose granite wash stand top.
can't remember what the product was - but the deep sheen effect it produced was only temporary.

[Larry E.]

Re: Can This Be True? Convertible Rear Window Cleaning

Mark: Thanks Much for your input. Wish there was someway to test this w/o risk to the
window. Larry

[Patrick H.]

Re: Can This Be True? Convertible Rear Window Cleaning

Mark: Thanks Much for your input. Wish there was someway to test this w/o risk to the
window. Larry

wax and grease remover would answer the question quickly, I suspect.

I have used Plexus plastic cleaner on plastic windows, with good success.
Alternately, Meguiars makes a polish called PlastX that also can help.

[Alan D.]

Re: Can This Be True? Convertible Rear Window Cleaning

Used the PlastX on an original top, works well, not perfect but did not loose any points on window

[Keith W.]

Re: Can This Be True? Convertible Rear Window Cleaning

Did any of the cleaners mentioned above help with yellowing? Or, is there another product that can help with yellowing?

[Larry E.]

Re: Can This Be True? Convertible Rear Window Cleaning

Ok; we tried it with a different brand of stainless steel cleaner. The one I used was "Clean X" which is
very similar with the above brand. The results are the following:
1)It did indeed help; I would say around 30-40% improvement, Not crystal clear but did take some of the
fog out.
2)I can see better now with the interior mirror for sure.
3)Would it pass judging? I would say yes compared to what it was.
4)Will it last? Not sure; but could apply again.
5)Would recommend to others? NO; Do so at your own risk as my Top
is not an original so I would not recommend not knowing your top/window.
Pictures below but be advised my camera not the best and a lot of garage and outdoor
light floating around which can mimic fog on the window. . Results are better known with the "human eye" for sure.
Thanks and Comments always welcomed. Larry>Before and after below>Note the crossed flags on the
steering wheel and clock for reference.

[Larry E.]

Re: Can This Be True? Convertible Rear Window Cleaning

Just an update on the above. It's been awhile since I applied the S/S Cleaner. As of now 8/15/24 nothing
has changed on the Window; still holding the same vision from the start.(Was a question on how long it would last) Made a nice difference. Larry

[Ronald L.]

Re: Can This Be True? Convertible Rear Window Cleaning

No,

the yellowing is oxidation of the polymers making up the window and that goes through the plastic.

Did any of the cleaners mentioned above help with yellowing? Or, is there another product that can help with yellowing?