How to Clean the Plastic Rear Window: BMW Z3
How to clean the rear plastic window, a common issue on the Z3. We look at a couple of possible products to use and go over some general guidelines to follow to protect your window.
Plexus Plastic Cleaner:
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Invisible Glass:
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Plast X:
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Full disclosure: I am now an Amazon Associate, the links above if you will earn me a small commission, but will NOT increase your costs
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Good morning from California. I will be washing my Z3 within the next hour. Great to see your video. Hope your Memorial Day weekend is relaxing.
Enjoy! Washed the wife's Mazds this morning.
I've been using the Meguiars Plast-X on my Z3 rear window and headlights on all my car's for years. However I found another product that really compliments the Plast-X cleaner when applied afterwards, 3D Poxy. I've used the 3D Poxy to wax my Z3 and the results are amazing, deep luster, no swirl marks, easy on and easy off is always a big plus when waxing. While cleaning the headlights on my wife's Edge (outside car / guinea pig ) with the Plast-X I thought what would happen if I followed it with the 3D Poxy? The results were amazing, just like it came off the showroom floor!!! So I decided to give it a shot on all my car's including my Z's, same result different car's. I then had the courage to use this product ( Plast-X 1st followed by 3D Poxy) on my 24 year old original Z3 back window and again the results were amazing, just like new. Just for the record: I'm not affiliated with 3D Poxy in any way shape or form and not receiving any royalties. I'm just passing along my delightful experience with the product and the amazing results, Carry On...
Thank you so much! Appreciate all the comments- please share your knowledge!
Thanks for the informative video! Well done!
Thank you for watching!
You put out the best Z3 videos, Moment of Zed. Have you had any camshaft position sensor problems?
Thank you so much! I have not. Spoke to someone who did the other day, he and his son managed, insinuated that it wasn't easy. However, neither is a mechanic by trade and they were successful. Happy holidays!
@@MomentofZed Thanks. Your car looks great. Happy Holidays to you as well.
Just bought my z3 - $4500!! Needs some paint and a clutch. But happily driving my 120k mile 2.8. Thanks for inspiration. Cleaned out my garage to park it in tomorrow to clean this out.
Jim- great buy! It's good to see some affordable ones are left- thinking about making a vid about prices in general.
Love you'r video from Alloa scotland
Thank you for watching!
Great Job.
Thank you and thanks for watching!
I have owned my 99 Z3 for 20 years The best product that I have found to clean the back window is called acrylic werks polish It's kind of expensive $25 but works the best has to be applied with a damp microfiber cloth
Thank you for the tip and thanks for watching!
Hi Mark, been meaning to respond. I had good luck prior to your video with Meguiars Clear Plastic Cleaner #17 then per instructions apply Meguiars Clear Plastic Polish #10. My results were pretty dramatic as were yours. I also have a bottle of Meguiars Clear Plastic Detailer #18 that is meant as a daily / regular maintenance cleaner. These are all new to me as recommended by the previous owner for this convertible top. A final note: for my all my of car's plastic headlights I have been using Meguiars Plastic-X as far back as my 2013 Dodge Dart. They all look as-new to this day. Enjoy your channel!
Appreciate that Brian! Seems like there are a few ways to go with this job, but they all seem to do pretty well.
I used plexus yesterday. Really satisfied. I see why you didn’t video cleaning the inside surface. I think most of the yellowing was on the inside. I can see clearly. 👍👍
Great stuff! Glad it worked for you!
I just got my first car, z3 with 79k miles🤗
Congratulations! Send it in for zed of the week when you get a chance! Enjoy it!
I live in Arizona have a 2001 Z3. I found that the scratching can't be avoided unless you change the felt pad that it sits on When it is Down. I found out the hard way that this needs to be replaced after I put in a new top and it scratched right away.
I've had people say they use a towel. Also that scratching is often attributed at least partly to the folded window rubbing against itself. Our cars supposedly came with a cover for folding the top down. There is a Coolcat Terri vid out about it.
*Update to ebay soft top. The quality was great for the price ($165 shipped), and got a local shop to install it for $180 and they took about 4 hours to fit it. So if anyone is weary about replacing the entire top because its old or you just want a different color, ebay z3 soft tops are a-okay.
Appreciate that update! You're not in jersey are you? Got a guy looking for a good shop up there.
@@MomentofZed no sir sorry
Any recommendations for a cheap plastic window replacement? Someone cut my rear window while my vehicle was parked overnight..
If you have a factory soft top you can replace it. You can tell if it’s OEM if it has a zipper. Look on eBay, there are several. Some have the rubber seal and others have the canvas fabric that will create the seal.
@@MSFerrari248F1 Looks to be stitched in, I cannot find a zipper anywhere. Do you have any experience with the aftermarket soft tops on ebay? Found a top for $189 usd that includes the rear plastic window.
@@alepepperoni2563 I don’t unfortunately.
Sorry to hear that. The OEM window (zipper) is $410 At Pelican Parts. That seems crazy expensive as always with OEM. I just looked at those tops on Ebay; unfortunately I don't have any experience with them. Seems crazy cheap! OEM tops are more than $1500. here's a middle of the road option: www.autotopsdirect.com/BMW-Z3-Convertible-Tops-s/54.htm Don't know your budget or if you need the whole top; if not, maybe buy an aftermarket window and let an upholstery shop do the work of fitting it for you?
many years ago i had a canvas shop stitch a plastic window into the existing window opening of my austin healey. he cut out the old window leaving about 1/2" of the old window in place. it worked really well. that should be a cheap fix
if its scratched you have to buff out it out with a polish. Also, I put an old towel over the window when I take the roof down to avoid the roof and bars scratching it in the first place.
Good point. Mines more hazy than anything. Damage to mine done by POs. Towels a good replacement for the stock cover few of us have.
next time use lemon pledge :)
Thats what the Plexus smelled like!
@@MomentofZed you are probably aware that the rear window is zippered in place.. i don't know where you get replacements or what they cost.
@@gilbertpataky8221 Funny thing is mine isn't! But I think my top is not original. Let me look, I never really have as mine is in decent shape.
@@gilbertpataky8221 See my answer to Ale Pepperoni in the comments below.
i can barely see thru my rear plastic ;)
Try the stuff in the video and if that doesn't work, might be time to replace!