If your canvas top is good don't change it! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Jake D · 04-04-2011, 09:30 AM

You said it didn't take you very long to remove the canvas, so why have I seen anywhere from 9hrs to 16hrs(101 Boxster Projects) to replace the top? I mean I understand that the original top will have all the holes and everything should line back up.

I was wondering about removing the whole assembly and taking it to a shop. I was wondering if I removed the assembly if the rear part of the canvas could be unfastened and then the window sewn in. That way the whole canvas wouldn't have to come off. I'm just trying to find the easiest/laziest way to get a new window sewn in.

Called another shop today that I was referred to and they said they wont sew one in because it wont hold up and will most likely leak.. anyone agree/disagree with that statement?

mikes_box · 04-04-2011, 12:06 PM

Jake, Here are a few pictures of the top with the new window. You can hardly tell from the pictures that it is tinted as the tint is not too dark at all. Its just slightly tinted and can tell in the sun but in the garage it looks pretty clear. It took me literally 1.5 hours to remove the top. You just have to have a step by step guide to do it and follow the instructions. Its basically all screws and a few fasteners. The shop I did it was a shop that does the repairs for a local p-car dealership and they specialize in car tops and interior the stitching was sealed so no leaks.

sasha055 · 04-04-2011, 12:19 PM

Mikes_box .. just to make sure.. it took you 1.5hr to remove the canvas from the frame or the frame from the car?

As Jake mentioned I read it takes a full day to remove the canvas from frame and it takes little time to remove frame from the car..

Also how long did it take to put the canvas back on frame?

If it's that easy.. I might do it myself!

Thanks
Sasha

mikes_box · 04-04-2011, 12:32 PM

Sasha, It took 1.5 hours. I timed it as I was curious as to how long it would take. It was the removal of the canvas top off the frame. Most if not all shops will not sew a window on with the top still on the frame.

Jake D · 04-04-2011, 12:42 PM

Looks good, but like you said, its hard to tell that its tinted. I found one shop that said if I bring him the canvas he can sew one in for $155 factory green vinyl and $180 for smoked or charcoal. Going to run by his shop to see some samples in the next couple of days. Probably going to be the route I go. He said he had not had problems with leaks and I have heard good things about his work.

I love my car and have no idea what I would do if I were to sell it, but I don't have the $ to do some of the upgrades I want to reduce the chances of a major problem (ims, water pump, etc.) so I can seriously been considering selling it off. I know that having a new top might help me sell it, but I don't really want to spend $650 to replace it just to turn around and sell the thing.

I have the 101 Boxster Projects book. Is that what you used to take the canvas off or did you find something better on here?

I just bought a beater truck the other week so I can now park my car and not drive it daily. I see a new window being sewn in very soon.

Thanks Mike.

mikes_box · 04-04-2011, 01:10 PM

Jake, I haven't seen the instructions in that book. If it has step by step instructions with photos you should be fine.

jcb986 · 04-04-2011, 01:29 PM

If the top is about 10 years old, then the canvas and stitching has reached it's life span and will start to deteriorate which means you will need a new top eventually. It's a good temporary fix for now, so start putting funds away for a new GAAH top.

schoir · 04-08-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake D

.....
I have the 101 Boxster Projects book. Is that what you used to take the canvas off or did you find something better on here?
....

Here's another DIY for replacing the top: http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/replacingthetop-adiy

Regards, Maurice.

urban_legend · 04-11-2011, 05:35 PM

a note on the marine vinyl (strataglass) - looks great in the smoked tint. That is what I used but they recommend a special cleaning and treatment compound. I picked up a small sample from a marine / sailboat shop.

It is thinner - but may be less prone to cracking because it is not as stiff.
(Although, I wouldn't test this.)