Quote:
Originally Posted by ProjectM96
Yes, I replaced my plastic window for $300 at Rydon Auto and Marine in Philadelphia, PA.
That was nearly 2 years ago. Still looks like new. Very good quality DOT approved window was put in. No leaks.
When they installed it they told me not to take it to the car wash for a week and to park it in the sun for the first few days.
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Well for other members from the area reading this I have to add that I also had my window replaced there and wasn't as lucky. First, the prices went up to about $400 with taxes. The typical price for a window swap is about $500 - $600.
Second, I learned that the factory seal that keeps water from getting in at the stitch holes is lost when you simply do the "remove and stitch in new window" method. It was raining that day and on the ride home the window was already leaking from the new stitch holes in the plastic window. A silicone sealant should have been applied over the threading. And the stitch work on this day was not good. The line wasn't straight and little bits of thread was bunched up at places.
Also, there were weird creases in the canvas near the clamshell that never went away. When I asked they said "this is one is not so bad some are worse".
I also give this particular shop a very poor grade on how they put everything back together. Straps were not fastened on the interior and some glue that was separated during the removal was not re-glued and this was plaingly visible.
And most annoyingly the person doing the job did not vaccum away all of the debris left on the rear shelf.
The moral of the story is that a window swap is a time consuming job and if the price is on the low end things aren't going to be done as thoroughly. Ask about water proof sealing (as how they address this) and without sounding like an A-hole let them no you plan to inspect the work thoroughly before you get out the credit card. My plan is to replace the top altogether with a glass window but after some costly repairs I wasn't eager to spend $1,500 when $400 would hold me over for a year or two. I was also weary of putting on an aftermarket top that wouldn't fully stretch like the OEM and provided limited access to the engine bay for maintenace.