Window zip in the roof

[SASteve]

Hi
The handbook for my 2002 TF states that when lowering the roof I should unzip the back window and lay it as flat as possible on the parcel shelf before folding the rest of the roof down. Pretty clear. The problem I have is when putting the roof back up I can’t get the zip done up past the first corner (top right, facing the back of the car). Has anyone else had this problem?
Two questions: is it really necessary to unzip the window at all? If so, what am I doing wrong to make it so hard to get the zip done back up?!
All suggestions welcome, I struggled for nearly half an hour with this a few days ago, I must be doing something basic, wrongly!
Thanks in advance.

[Geoff.F]

Do you fit the window before latching the front.???
Geoff.F

[Bazzajay]

The window should be un-zipped to enable it to lie relatively flat when the roof is folded.

To re-zip the window fold the latches out so that they rest on the top of the catches when you fold the roof forward. The roof is then not in tension and you can zip the window up more easily. Once you've re-zipped the window you can then re-set the latches and lock the roof down.

[Reckless Rat]

The reason for unzipping the plastic window is to preserve the plastic. If you regularly fold the hood without zipping out the screen then the plastic folds in the middle. This isn't that problematic if it's nice and warm, apart from the friction and wear which eventually dulls the plastic and hampers rear vision but the first time you do it in the winter the screen will most likely crack. Then you're stuffed.

It's important to release the tension from the hood before unzipping and to re-zip before latching the hood down.

Unless you've got a glass screen of course... I have unzipped my glass screen on a very hot day but run with the roof ON to let some air through. It gets hot down here.

[RobboMC]

This is why you unzip the window before folding the roof:

This was a new hood with a new back window when we got the car,
we didn't bother unzipping the hood when folding the roof down and 4 years later I was replacing the back window.

Now I unzip every time!

[talkingcars]

When I had a plastic rear screen and I wanted to lower the roof I would reach in to the car and release the catches and start to open the roof.
I wood then make sure the screen was starting to roll with no creases before fully opening the roof.
I even did this in -2' snow with no problems.

I only unzipped twice, the first time I lowered the roof and then I couldn't get it done up again, and the only time I used a hardtop and new it the soft top would be down for a few months.

The plastic screen gets brittle if you let it oxidise and get cloudy. Keep it clear and supple through regular polishing with graygate polish.
Or fit a glass screen.

[Charless]

In well over 200k miles with my Fs, top down far more of the time than not, I never unzip but I always fold the window down carefully ensuring a constant curve as it folds. If any sign of a crease starts, I reopen it a little and carefully press it out so there is always a constant curve. I also put the roof back up often without latching if I am leaving the car for any length of time.
Two of my cars have their original screens 22 and 26 years later, the other one had a window crack 13 years (170k miles) ago.
I suspect being left down, when not driving, for any length of time (particularly when crushed beneath a hard top for months) is far and away more damaging. So I would suggest unzipping is a completely unnecessary faff if you are careful; it was probably put in the handbook to head off any possible claims!

[mowog73]

In the 10+ years I have owned my F, I've never unzipped the rear window before putting the hood down but I do have a large bath towel that I fold/roll up and put on the window as I start to put the hood down, which helps ensure that the window curves as the hood is lowered and have never put a crease into the window material.

[Geoff.F]

In the 10+ years I have owned my F, I've never unzipped the rear window before putting the hood down but I do have a large bath towel that I fold/roll up and put on the window as I start to put the hood down, which helps ensure that the window curves as the hood is lowered and have never put a crease into the window material.

So correct. Albeit these days I run a "F GT" viz I removed the hood and only have a hardtop, I used a piece of water pipe insulation foam to fold the hood window for at least 15 years.
Geoff F