Rear window plastic.
10-05-2009, 09:24 AM
#1
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Rear window plastic.
Does anyone know of a suitable source to buy some plastic to replace my rear window? I want something similar to the original window that can withstand regular folding. I assume contact adhesive should be suitable for sticking it in once I have cut the old one out. I have tried searching but most people seam to buy replacement windows but I would rather make my own due to cost.
10-06-2009, 02:47 AM
#2
TBH I think you are going to struggle on two counts:
1) I doubt you will find suitable plastic that is flexible, easliy bonded to vinyl and UV stable.
2) The plastic screen is heat bonded into a vinyl panel that is zipped in to the hood, just gluing in a new plastic piece is not going to last long.
The two cheapest options you have are get a hood company to replace just the screen or fit a used later glass screen hood.
FWIW I'd buy a new aftermarket hood.
1) I doubt you will find suitable plastic that is flexible, easliy bonded to vinyl and UV stable.
2) The plastic screen is heat bonded into a vinyl panel that is zipped in to the hood, just gluing in a new plastic piece is not going to last long.
The two cheapest options you have are get a hood company to replace just the screen or fit a used later glass screen hood.
FWIW I'd buy a new aftermarket hood.
10-06-2009, 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted by mikey k,Oct 6 2009, 10:47 AM
1) I doubt you will find suitable plastic that is flexible, easliy bonded to vinyl and UV stable.
2) The plastic screen is heat bonded into a vinyl panel that is zipped in to the hood, just gluing in a new plastic piece is not going to last long.
2) The plastic screen is heat bonded into a vinyl panel that is zipped in to the hood, just gluing in a new plastic piece is not going to last long.
The replacement plastic window costs around £50 from a dealer but it would cost around another £400 to get it installed as half of the roof has to be removed to do it properly (I had one replaced under warranty a *long* time ago)
You are better off replacing the whole roof with a replacement that has a glass window for not that much more.
10-06-2009, 08:40 AM
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On a friends Renault 19 convertible many years ago we replaced the rear window with plastic but cutting the old one out and then gluing in a plastic one in underneath. It didn’t look perfect but functioned quite well and only cost about £10. So I am going to try something similar as my window is now cracked and not very water tight with tape on it. After my wedding (in 3 weeks) when I have more spare cash I may well later replace the whole roof.
In the mean time the plan is cut out the old window then glue on a bit of 1mm flexible clear PVC, over the top. 3 edges are hidden by the hood anyway and the bottom edge I will cover in black vinyl to tidy up. I am thinking contact adhesive to stick it but might try liquid cement or other glues. I am sure it will not look perfect but hope it will not look too bad and should be water proof and easier to see through than it currently is.
In the mean time the plan is cut out the old window then glue on a bit of 1mm flexible clear PVC, over the top. 3 edges are hidden by the hood anyway and the bottom edge I will cover in black vinyl to tidy up. I am thinking contact adhesive to stick it but might try liquid cement or other glues. I am sure it will not look perfect but hope it will not look too bad and should be water proof and easier to see through than it currently is.
10-06-2009, 09:02 AM
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Someone on here used a place in Preston years back that effectively cut the old plastic out and bonded a new piece in for a good price. BUT... that's all I can tell you - it was probably 4 years or so back.
10-06-2009, 09:59 AM
#7
Originally Posted by Rob88,Oct 6 2009, 05:57 PM
Sounds like a good plan.
If it's buggered anyway it's not like you're going to make it any worse.
If it's buggered anyway it's not like you're going to make it any worse.
Nothing to lose giving it a try in the short term!
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10-06-2009, 10:35 AM
#8
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http://www.tarpaulins-togo.co.uk/category-...Tarpaulins.html
Cut the middle out of one of these and you'll have enough for years.
Although on a serious note, it's bound to be weatherproof and suitable for folding.....
Cut the middle out of one of these and you'll have enough for years.
Although on a serious note, it's bound to be weatherproof and suitable for folding.....
10-07-2009, 02:17 AM
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I've been thinking about this and looking at my window.
Assuming it's a bit of a do-or-die mission, you could take a stanley knife to the currenct screen and cut it clean out, including into the seams where it's heat bonded leaving a channel where you cut it out.
Cut some new material to size, fill the channel with silicon sealant and push the new panel in.
For the new window, try a wreckers yard and look for any other convertible with a plastic window and just rip it out and cut to size.
Assuming it's a bit of a do-or-die mission, you could take a stanley knife to the currenct screen and cut it clean out, including into the seams where it's heat bonded leaving a channel where you cut it out.
Cut some new material to size, fill the channel with silicon sealant and push the new panel in.
For the new window, try a wreckers yard and look for any other convertible with a plastic window and just rip it out and cut to size.