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Banging snow off soft top

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Old 12-06-2007 | 07:47 AM
  #1  
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Question Banging snow off soft top

I was wondering if this had any ill effects on the soft top- If i hit the top from the inside when theres snow on top? What about the windows? Just wondering if anyone had any bad stories about this.

-Seth
Old 12-06-2007 | 07:51 AM
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I did that this morning on the way to work. Just don't punch it, you might skin your knuclkle flesh.
Old 12-06-2007 | 07:52 AM
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When it's cold enough for snow, you want to leave your soft-top's plastic windows alone entirely! They become too brittle in cold temps to "scrape" or "smack," and you'll end up scratching the holy h311 out of them.

Best bet is to turn up the heat full blast and wait a few minutes - the heater is so powerful, the snow and ice will slide off the windows in no time!

As for smacking the top, I think you're fine (within reason). No Tyson-style uppercuts or anything, or you run the risk of overstretching... then again, the material is so thick, I don't think that you have much to fear here.

BTW, if your soft-top is covered in snow and you're being tailgated, a quick punch to the roof = "snow bomb."
Old 12-06-2007 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by MJS_Jeep_888
No Tyson-style uppercuts or anything
darnit, your taking all of the fun out of it!!

Thanks a bunch guys! and helpful tip for the tailgaters, that will show them not to mess with us jkers
Old 12-06-2007 | 08:02 AM
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watch out for snow balls too.....
Old 12-06-2007 | 08:20 AM
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I generally hit the underside of the soft top in my YJ to clear it of snow as I drive (not with cars behind me, though). Works like a champ. And letting it run and heat up will clear the windows pretty well. But I do not have that problem as the windows are not yet back in my Jeep. Guess now that we've started to get some snow, it might be time to put them back in. I still have a ton of snow in the back from yesterday's "clipper" that hit us here in the Mid-Atlantic states!!!

Last edited by Gloworm19; 12-06-2007 at 08:23 AM.
Old 12-06-2007 | 08:26 AM
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I thought i was such a genious once in my TJ when i realized that i didn't have to get out and brush the windows, that i could just knock on them from the inside... well, i was only a genious until i shattered, yes thats right shattered the rear window. Yes it was a softop with the plastic windows. It turns out it was actually cold enough to make them that brittle. one little knock and two or three triangular shaped pieces broke off and fell right out. I was like AAAHHHH What the hell??? anyway, i ended up getting some packaging tape until they put the besttop RAT with tinted windows and sailcloth on sale. Then i upgraded to that and sold it shortly there after for my JK. Anyway, pounding on the top, no problem, the windows, i would strongly advise against it.
Old 12-06-2007 | 09:36 AM
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Yep, always cleared the to with a few whacks to loosen and then a poke with the brush to slide it off.

If you MUST clear a window, just hold your hand against it and let the heat of your hand melt the ice. Depending on thickness, you can do it outside or inside. I prefer the inside and then you can usually just pick the ice off. Clear enough to see out the side and to the mirrors and then in 5 minutes the heat wil clear the rest.
Old 12-06-2007 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by sbaglin
I was wondering if this had any ill effects on the soft top- If i hit the top from the inside when theres snow on top? What about the windows? Just wondering if anyone had any bad stories about this.

-Seth
I'm just shocked there is another Seth out there. Seems we are so few and far between.
Old 12-06-2007 | 11:09 AM
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I was driving in the snow last night and it must have built up some ice/snow mixture across the front edge of the soft top. It started making a loud whistling noise. The faster I went the louder it got. At first I thought that the rubber seal had gotten so cold it shrunk and was causing an air leak. I tried banging on the inside of the roof to try and knock the snow off but it didn't help. When I got to where I was going I got out and tried to pull some of it off. It didn't make the sound on the way home....


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