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Welcome to the frequently asked questions page. We try to address every issue possible ahead of time and answer it on this page so you can find help with all your concerns and be comfortable when leaving your car for installation of a new top.
What do you mean by "Top with a glass or plastic window"? |
How Many Styles of tops are out there? There are 2 styles of convertible tops available for Miatas from 1990 to 2005. 1- TWO PIECE TOP - Most 1st gen. Miatas up to 1997, came with a two-piece top from the factory (glass window are found on 1st gen. Miatas but that was not an option offered from the factory). The top is a separate piece and the window is a separate piece. Once the installation is complete, the top and window look like a one-piece top. If you have a two-piece top, you can replace the back window without replacing the whole top (assuming your top can be salvaged). 2- ONE PIECE TOP - Most 2nd gen. Miatas from 1999 to 2005 came with a one-piece top from the factory. This means that the top & the window are attached to each other and can only be replaced as a whole. |
What type of plastic is used to make replacement plastic windows?
Our manufacturer use 40 gauge plastic (required by DOT), and is the same thickness & quality equivalent to factory plastic window |
Who are your convertible tops manufactured by? Most of our tops are manufactured by ROBBINS but other brands are available, if you provide your own top the manufacturer warranty will come from the supplier where you made the purchase. |
Can I use my existing top with a new window? Yes you can. If your car has a two-piece top assembly and your top is in good shape but your window is broken, discolored or separated from the material (curtain) around it you can replace only the window section and use your existing top. |
What if I have a one-piece top and the Plastic window is faded or the glass window broken? In this case, you unfortunately have one option, to replace the complete top & window. Some upholstery shops do offer to sew in new plastic windows but the cost of removing, sewing the new window, and installing the top again costs the same in labor as replacing your old top with a new one. |
Do canvas tops last longer than vinyl tops? No, both materials will wear out at about the same rate. |
What's the deal with the rain rail? A lot of people looking for a new top ask about the "rain rail." This part, which is not visible with the top installed, is a plastic piece inside the car that runs across the bottom of the top and works as a rain gutter,draining water out of your Miata.On 1st generation Miatas, the plastic they used to manufacture rain rails 20 years ago gets brittle and will crack eventually after being installed on a car for so many years. The new ones are made of highly flexible PVC. |
What are Side Tension Cables and how do I know if I need new ones? Side tension cables hold the top down tight on the side edges (over the side windows) of the car. Top cables are not exposed and are hidden inside a pocket, if one of your cables is broken you will see part of the cable hanging. If the top is not going up and down smoothly and is binding, or if one side is getting ahead of the other, that�s a sign that one of the cables must have been stretched or broken. You can always reuse your existing cables if they are in good shape or are not broken. |
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