Topic: Cold Weather Soft Top Question

[99SENewbie]

Well, it's starting to snow here. I recently got a new sailcloth soft top, and was wondering how people clear ice off the plastic windows during the winter?

[Jesse-James]

I had a half top last winter and the back window is a screen with plastic on the inside. I gave up and used the mirrors.




Of course now I have a hard top. 

[adkfred]

Living on Maine with a soft top can be challenge in the winter,  I was worried about the same thing last year.  If you keep your windows clean and treated most of the year, Ice will never be much of a problem, it will usually just brush off, brush being the key word.

[Jeffy]

Well, it's starting to snow here. I recently got a new sailcloth soft top, and was wondering how people clear ice off the plastic windows during the winter?

Be very careful with frozen windows.  They will tear if you're not careful.  Don't try to fold the front windows.  The best way is to probably wipe off any dew if there is any and then just turn on the heater.

[blacknblue]

I live in Chicago and get a lot of snow...in fact it's snowing right now!  Do NOT use any kind of scraper or your top WILL get scratched.  Even using the brush end can leave fine scratches.  I usually just tap the inside of the drivers and pass. windows and that knocks off the heavy stuff and then you just have to let the heater do the defrosting.  I have noticed if you don't let your jeep warm up until the temp gauge is at least 150- 210 it will run like crap, and probably cause more wear on your engine.  Remember to wash your ride in the winter too, road salt kills.  I know you shouldn't use an automatic car-wash with a Jeep...water WILL leak in,  but I admit to using it for the convenience of it during the winter.  Probably a good idea to stay away from those ones with the cloth that spins around...I imagine that would scratch up your windows.  I use Novus scratch remover kit when I need it.   

[jeepheap]

i have a hatd top for thw winter, but one of my buddies dosen't. he uses a tarp an four bungee cords to warp his jeep likea present every night when he getts home from work. we've evn been at the bar and it was going to snow and he asked me to come out in the freezing a$$cold to help him put it on! but i got a free pitcher out of the deal.

[SKI BOY]

I live in Maine also, and that can be a problem! Snow will usually fall off with a few raps on the frame, as for ice/frost ups, I've found that pouring warm (not hot) water on the outside clears the problem quicker than waiting for the defroster to get up to temp. I would not put a scraper or brush to vinyl windows ever!! Just my $.02

[DodgeMudder]

I always just tapped in the middle of the window and watched the ice fall off, if that doesn't work, the defroster will get to it eventually.