Taking the top off then putting same one back on

[patssle]

I have a tear in my window and am pondering the decision of taking the top off myself and having a new window sewn in or having the shop do it. It's a $750 vs. $150 decision. I've read several of the different how-to's and it looks to be an annoying job - plus I'm hardly crafty when it comes to fabric.

Aside from the adhesive tape - do I really need any new parts as these guides are saying (but for a completely new top) or will utilizing the same top let me use the existing parts (such as the sliders?). What should I buy before I do this project so I'm not stuck with a top I can't put back on?

[Bfan]

I believe you can have a new plastic window sewn in without removing the frames if you find the right shop with a long arm sewing machine

[Carlisabadman986]

Originally Posted by Bfan

I believe you can have a new plastic window sewn in without removing the frames if you find the right shop with a long arm sewing machine

This is exactly what I need to do. My top is in pretty good shape but the window is cracking and starting to come apart. I think its the result of not having a garage for the first few years of ownership.

[antny]

I just replaced my top with a glass window top last week. It really is not hard to do. I didn't even have wrinkles and it was perfect the first go at it. It really is not as bad as it seems.

[mump]

I took my top off and put a new window in. I did it all myself, well me, my wife and a friend. Taking it off wasn't hard, maybe a 10 min job. A little tip, mark with a sharpie where the arms are down where you pop the cups off.

With that being said, I will never do it again. My wife hand/sewn the window in. It took forever and the fabric was so tough to push a needle through. When she was all done, I dumped a bucket of water on it, leaked all over the place. Granted, next time I will need a new top anyway but if I was to only replace a window, I will pay a shop to do it.