DIY Rear Window Protector

[Gubi]

I'd been looking for a while for a better way to protect the rear window on my Spider. This time of year here in California I almost always have the top down when I'm driving, but I put it up and unlatched when I park the car at night to keep the dirt out (open garage area). I usually keep a folded towel in the rear window to keep it from scratching when the top is down, but this had been getting on my nerves because it's a bit of a pain to get it spread out and keep it in place when folding the top. Also, I've been finding that the added bulk of the towel makes it harder to get the top fully into the stowed position.

The BMW Z3 comes with a nice microfiber protection cloth that hooks onto the frame to hold it in place, so I decided to build something like that. Basically it's just a big piece of thin, soft cloth with elastic straps that attach to the top frame. I couldn't find hooks that looked like they'd work well, so I just added snaps to go around the frame piece.

Overall I'm quite happy with it. Now in the mornings I can just pop the top down and go without having to fiddle with it. It ain't pretty, but the only time it's visible is when the car is parked in my garage. A simple little hack job, but I figured someone else might find it useful.

[Gubi]

The straps are just a tube of fabric with elastic down the middle. I would've rather gone with black fabric, but they didn't have anything in the thin/soft/durable category in black so I went with gray. As this is a functional rather than a cosmetic improvement, color is the least of my concerns.

[Gubi]

This is the snap on the inside...it just loops around the top frame piece shown. As you can see from the tear in the piping this top is starting to go, but the rear window is still in good shape. Mostly I just wanted to have something ready and in place for when I replace the top next year.

[GTD]

Gubi
Perhaps using Velcro instead of snaps would allow for easy machine washing when soiled.

Just a thought!

[Gubi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTD Gubi Perhaps using Velcro instead of snaps would allow for easy machine washing when soiled. Just a thought!

[Davy13]

That's a great idea... I've always done the same thing with my top -- using a towel to keep the shape of the window... Perhaps you can mass produce them, and sell them in the International catalog for $179 ;-)

[High_Ram]

I like it! Guess I'll go look for some material and make me one too!