Cracked Plastic - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

rock88hard · 04-29-2008, 05:02 AM

This morning was very... brisk, but the sun told me to put my top down. The rear plastic cracked pretty good. I bet I'll need to replace the whole top. But i'm afraid to have anyone touch it since one of the hydrolic arms needed repaired/replaced 2 years ago and it seems a little uneven when putting it up. And here's the biggy, i wanna wait until my cheap @$$ gets around to saving the $1000+ that it will cost. So for now, i have it ghettod out with electric tape.

Any suggestions, anyone else do a temp or even permanent rig that didn't look bad?

E Kaplan · 04-29-2008, 05:39 PM

You can sew the ends together with fishing string. It is fairly strong and water proof. Pretend your a surgeon and closely sew the pieces together about 1/8 inch from the ends. It will look much better than tape.

Good luck!

blinkwatt · 04-29-2008, 05:42 PM

Try packaging tape,it's clear and doesn't stand out.

Don't buy another plastic top,replace it with a glass top so that doesn't happen again.

Lucky you,you plastic top has cracked. I've been trying to get my top to crack for a long time now and it won't. I've even closed the top without chopping it,no luck.

gmboxster · 04-29-2008, 07:10 PM

Hehe Blinkwatt ! That is too funny. I almost wish my plastic window would crack too so I could replace it. I just hate to replace a whole top when the rear window is still ok.

djomlas · 04-29-2008, 08:54 PM

ever since i bought mine i never chopped it lol
i do have a tiny little rip on the end (or side) where the top folds.
o well, once that thing breaks, ill try sewing a new one in, and then update to the new top if i keep the thing long enough

robkc1943 · 05-30-2008, 09:32 AM

Nobody told me about the "Boxster Chop" even when I had the first rear window replaced. Now I've got another small crack.

Does anybody know where - near Atlanta - you can get the glass conversion done?

I love my Metropole Blue top and hope I can keep it.

RandallNeighbour · 05-30-2008, 09:39 AM

The glass conversion is the whole top, not just the window part...

If you buy through GAHH, they will work with a warranted installer in your area and you'll pay the installer (he buys the top from GAHH if I'm not mistaken).

This is a good way to go because if the top develops problems, the top itself and the labor to fix it or replace it is covered by GAHH.

joshua6060 · 05-30-2008, 10:29 AM

Hi Randall, you always have good advice, do you have any idea/guess how much it might cost to have GAHH fix the top? I would drive to ATL (for the fun of it) to have it done if the price is reasonable. I have a crack in my window and I am trying to find the best way to get this thing fixed......

RandallNeighbour · 05-30-2008, 11:09 AM

When I called GAHH to have them sell a top to me through a local installer, the price was around $1200. I'm guessing your price would be similar.

I'm not sure if this is reasonable to you or not.

GAH does offer discounts to forum members, so click on their banner ad at the left side of the page and contact them, asking for the best price and see what happens.

Best of luck to you on this one... I want a new GAHH glass top myself, but can't seem to find the cash and like others, my plastic window is in great shape

joshua6060 · 05-30-2008, 01:12 PM

these guys just told me that they could replace my vinyl cracked window for $450.....does that sound reasonable?

Hansaplastique · 06-01-2008, 06:38 AM

My rear window has a little crack, and I'm considering fixing this ... now Porsche charges me $500 to exchange the rear window only and claims I cannot install a glass window (I suppose I would have to exchange the entire top right?).

GAHH offers a few options, but (since I just purchase my Boxster - woohoo!) I'd rather keep some money on the side for possible repairs/maintenance (it's a used Boxster).

I did find these guys http://www.emiata.com/BoxsterWindow.htm offering a replacement window for $89 ... anyone out there having experience with that.
I know it's a cheap fix and it might crack eventually as well, but like I said before; the first few months I'd rather keep some money for possible issues first. Later I might replace the window for a glass one (unless a more affordable option is out there).

Anyone any tips/suggestions?

Cloudsurfer · 06-01-2008, 08:29 AM

I think the whole problem with replacing the plastic is that the factory plastic is pulled taut, glued, AND stitched. When you replace the window, with the top on the car, all you can do is stitch it. It also can't be as taut as when the top was manufactured.

My understanding is that you can certainly do this, and it should be a durable repair, but that it will never quite fit the way the factory plastic did.

I'm planning a glass top for mine sooner or later, although that comes with its own set of compromises.

Patrick

Hansaplastique · 06-01-2008, 08:45 AM

Thanks for your quick response bmwm750 ...

I can see your point ... I'll see how long I can stand having a little crack in my rear window and save up for glass.

"I'm planning a glass top for mine sooner or later, although that comes with its own set of compromises."

Since I'm all new to this; what compromises (beside an empty wallet

) are you referring to?

kabel · 06-01-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hansaplastique

replacement window for $89 ... anyone out there having experience with that.

.
.
I have, not that exact kit but a similar one... previous discussion and my experience on it here:
Replacing plastic back window '01 Boxster's Top

Hansaplastique · 06-01-2008, 10:58 AM

Wow, sounds like a major headache to do this yourself.

Does anyone have any experience with the GAHH glass top (for an older Boxster - mine is a 2000)? What's the difference between German canvas and Sonnendeck canvas (besides $100 price difference)?

I'm a little surprised to hear that my local Porsche dealer only charges $500 ...?
(I expected more)

Hansaplastique · 06-01-2008, 11:02 AM

Already found one of the answers I was looking for;

"German canvas is made of a polyester blend, and the American canvas is made of a cotton blend. That is the biggest difference. As far as quality, BMW tested the American canvas for years for fading and quality, and determined that the American canvas held up to the German canvas the same. They started to use the American canvas in 1994, and continue to do so."

Also the glass window is smaller;

"The glass window is smaller than the original plastic window, so that it will fold properly."

Oh and the do not support DIY installation - it will void warranty ...

ddb · 06-01-2008, 12:34 PM

I've had a glass GAHH on my 2000 for some years now, and love it!

Some of the early versions, including mine, had defective seams that sealed the glass which caused separation. GAHH has great customer service and replaced the tops.

Yea, the glass is smaller than the plastic window so it takes a while to get used to a more limited view out of the rearview mirror. For me after a few drives I forgot all about the larger view from the OE window.

There's limited access to the engine compartment because the glass window won't fold. Thus far I've been able to do everything needed on top of the engine rather easily with my glass top.

The other benefit is you will have an electric defroster with the glass top.

Best of luck,

ddb

Hansaplastique · 06-01-2008, 01:08 PM

Thanks ddb for the good info!
Did you have to have it installed by a "specialist"?

ddb · 06-01-2008, 01:43 PM

Hansaplastique:

Yes, my tops were installed by Upholstery/Convertible Top specialist. I believe the GAHH website lists recommended installers in most major cities. If not, they may be able to do so by phone. In my case GAHH knew and recommended a couple of installers they had been doing business with for years (long before they started producing glass-window Boxster replacement tops).

For a couple of reasons I switched installers for my second top (replacement for the defective top) which was blessed and paid for by GAHH.

ddb

Benny986 · 06-11-2008, 01:04 AM

For me replacing the top with a glass one would have been nearly $2500. I had a new plastic sewn in for just over 600. I'd do that again until the fabric is worn out. The remove the top, remove the plastic, sew a new one one, and use some kind of adhesive around the corners to prevent leaking, and to hold the plastic in place.

for 450-500, that some of you have posted, that is VERY cheap. If they are reputable, and if they have done boxtster work in the past, I'd jump on it, My place is where the local Porsche dealer sends their boxster tops to be repaired. : )