I recently acquired a OEM windscreen for my cabrio but the mesh was stained and had holes in it. So I set out to find suitable replacement mesh and figure out how to successfully replace it. My frame also had a bend in it but with the mesh removed I was able to gently bend it back into shape. What I ended up with is a better than new windscreen!!
I found that the material that worked best for me is called Poly Mesh. It is a jersey type material and you can find it in various colors and various hole/perforation sizes. I used a black material with smaller holes which resembles the original material. I also bought white material that I am tempted to have silk screened with a custom design for the upright screen.
* This procedure is much easier if you separate the two halves of the screen by removing the phillips head screw on either side of the screen.
First locate the seem of the rubber strip. Use a small flat head screw driver to gently pry out one end of the locking rubber strip. Once you have one end loose pull it completely out.
After the lock strip is removed the screen is free and should fall out easily.
In this picture you can see the bend in the frame.
Next lay the new material over the frame and align the pattern on the material with the frame as best as you can. It helps if you have someone help hold tension on the fabric as you start the lock strip. Don't worry about pulling it tight at this point you just want it straight and equally stretched all the way around. Work the lock strip back into the frame but don't push it completely down. It will take a little bit of massaging to get the fabric and locking strip in perfectly. DO NOT PUSH THE LOCK STRIP COMPLETELY IN AT THIS POINT!
Once you are happy with the placement of both the strip and fabric, use a new razor blade to trim the excess fabric. Trim it just below the cap of the T shaped lock strip. Once it is trimmed use something to press the lock strip down, I used a rolling pin with great success. Now your are done!
Before:
After:
And Installed:
Thanks for looking! I hope this helps someone!
I found that the material that worked best for me is called Poly Mesh. It is a jersey type material and you can find it in various colors and various hole/perforation sizes. I used a black material with smaller holes which resembles the original material. I also bought white material that I am tempted to have silk screened with a custom design for the upright screen.
* This procedure is much easier if you separate the two halves of the screen by removing the phillips head screw on either side of the screen.
First locate the seem of the rubber strip. Use a small flat head screw driver to gently pry out one end of the locking rubber strip. Once you have one end loose pull it completely out.
After the lock strip is removed the screen is free and should fall out easily.
In this picture you can see the bend in the frame.
Next lay the new material over the frame and align the pattern on the material with the frame as best as you can. It helps if you have someone help hold tension on the fabric as you start the lock strip. Don't worry about pulling it tight at this point you just want it straight and equally stretched all the way around. Work the lock strip back into the frame but don't push it completely down. It will take a little bit of massaging to get the fabric and locking strip in perfectly. DO NOT PUSH THE LOCK STRIP COMPLETELY IN AT THIS POINT!
Once you are happy with the placement of both the strip and fabric, use a new razor blade to trim the excess fabric. Trim it just below the cap of the T shaped lock strip. Once it is trimmed use something to press the lock strip down, I used a rolling pin with great success. Now your are done!
Before:
After:
And Installed:
Thanks for looking! I hope this helps someone!
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