has anyone ever DIY a vert window replacement?

[Julien]

I've always assumed this to be impossible to do without taking the car to a upholstery shop... has anyone successfully replaced the plastic window on the vert by themselves? If so, can you give me some tips on how to do it?


Thanks :)
Julien

[e-durty]

my vert top had a zipered window on it
i i unziped the old window out
i went to downtop foudn the same size sipper (bought a couple feets or so)
i went bought a new plastic window sheet from a local upholstery shop for about 80 bucks
i put the old window ontop the new window sheet i traced it n cut it to its size

then i had the same local shop sew the cipper on the window for 25 bucks

and i zipped it in

i guess i got lucky when i picked this top up at the local yard cuz it had the original izppered window form

[aworthybrother]

do you know if you have a zip in window?

[jw 325ic]

If you sew it in...good luck. Hope you've got long arms and a back of steel. I sewed a new one in on my old top, and worked on it an hour or two a day for a lil over a week.

1. line up replacement window in the fitting and pin it in place.
2. poke little holes through all the stitching holes and through the window to make threading easier.
3. Double check everything (might wanna do this before #2 also)
4. Stitch it in.
5. Squeeze a fabric glue or some kind of seal for water proofing.
6. Get drunk and be happy you have a window.
7. Ask yourself why you didnt spend a couple hundred more and do the whole top in less time...

Good luck.

[Julien]

it's sewn in...

[jw 325ic]

what i wrote up there is exactly what i did and had no problems for about 7 years. I finally replaced my top with one off ebay in stayfast canvas for 300 and it's actually pretty nice. Took me a few days to put it on but could have done it in one if I just kept on it. What's wrong with your window? is it fogged up or cut/torn? rest of the top okay?

[Julien]

rest of top is pretty nice..

and I already have the kit.. Guess we'll see, thanks for the help!

[downernsp]

I am sure it will be very difficult to do, I had same issue. I said screw trying all that and just found another one to replace sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[jw 325ic]

it's really not that difficult. Just don't rush yourself. I mean...it's pushing a needle through a hole time after time and making sure it's in a straight pattern....just take your time. When you're done with stitching, just squeeze the sealant in between the fabric and window as close to the stitching as you can. That bites that that happened to the window though man. Sometimes replacing the top is easier, and maybe you could sell the top to someone. But if you have the kit it's worth a shot...especially if you have some time to kill.

[reelizmpro]

Since your top looks mint, try ordering a window from Emiata.com and get some friends to help you lined it up and sew it in. Be patient though, I hear it's a very tedious job but just like a dash swap it's totally worth it.

Call around and see what upholstery shops want to charge for changing the window first. Might be worth it.

[jw 325ic]

^ if the price isn't bad--would be worth it...

[Mossman]

Don't do it!!! Wasted a day and did it as "by the book" as possible, it just wasn't happening. Sewed in the whole top part of the window only to find that neither bottom corner reached the top. Used my old window as a pattern to punch the holes, and lined them up. WTF indeed. I could have folded the rear part of the top up to stitch it but it would have torn that canvas out in no time. Emiata kit didn't have enough "slack" around where I punched the holes to add a 1/2" or so and make the tension not so severe. So I wrote that off and started installing my new ebay top yesterday, should have it done tomorrow and working hopefully. It's a semi glossy vinyl like material, not canvas, but I kinda like it.

[87-325ic]

if you get the ebay top, get the good canvas. not the shiny vinyl shit.

i tore a hole in my replacement top/ frame moving it on a cold day. the window shattered even though its plastic.
so i bought an ebay top, with the "german" canvas, and installed it myself in an afternoon. Very easy. and great results. if you can do a valve adjustment, you can change your convertible top.
i paid 300 for my cloth top.

[Mossman]

if you get the ebay top, get the good canvas. not the shiny vinyl shit.

i tore a hole in my replacement top/ frame moving it on a cold day. the window shattered even though its plastic.
so i bought an ebay top, with the "german" canvas, and installed it myself in an afternoon. Very easy. and great results. if you can do a valve adjustment, you can change your convertible top.
i paid 300 for my cloth top.

I just shat a brick. I got the vinyl one, which I gotta say I kind of like the look of better than black cloth...something about black cloth tops looks schlumpy to me. Didn't expect it to be vinyl, just ordered the cheapest one on ebay with a cryptic fabric description and this is what I got. Anyways I got it on today and have no real qualms about quality so far, but the bonded and not stitched rear window had me scratching my head a little bit. Also it's missing some fabric flaps to cover the rear bottom seal part of the frame. And I had to do a little trimming in the C pillar area, but no biggie. Anyways...I pray it doesn't die a premature death, I took a lot of care putting it on and if I had to replace it soon I doubt I'd have so much patience the next time.

[MAXELHOFF]

glued

Just use glue. Leave about 3 inches overlapping the canvas. Apply pressure during drying time. I did it to a pals canvas non-zippered top, worked well. Gonna be time to get a new top soon enough, unless the car is garaged and pampered. Good luck.