Someone sliced my plastic rear window!
 

So I go out to my garage to twiddle around and clean up some odds and ends and as I walk by the rear of my car I noticed that there is a slice in my rear window. Its in the lower left (driver's side) corner almost right up against the canvas. At first I thought that it may have been a stress crack from putting the top up/down. So I get in and start putting the top down and notice that there is very little stress in the corner and that it couldn't have been from simply putting the top up/down. Also, my window is still very pliable and doubt it was from stress anyways.

The slice is basically the shape of an obtuse "\_" . I frantically called my insurance company (with whom I've never filed a claim) and discussed the issue and basically I'm covered for the repair. I then call the local Porsche dealership who informs me that they can have just the plastic replaced for $750. The service guy I talked to said they take the top off and send it to a local upholstery shop who sepcializes in automotive tops and upholstery. So, I'll skip filing a calim with my insurance and pay out of pocket to have a new plastic window sewn in. But I was so pissed off that some little bastard did this. There was nothing left in plain sight in the car either, so someone just did it out of spite.

By the way, the dealership wanted $5,500.00 to retrofit a glass windowed top with new frame to my car. Decided to pass on that obviously. I'll keep you all posted with the results.

Jeff

why not just file a claim to get the whole top replaced, and just pay the deductable?

Well, I thought about whole top replacement, and even considered an aftermarket GAHH or Robbins top, but I would prefer to stick with OEM. And to to a new canvas top with plastic window at the dealer is $3,800.00. If I claimed that on my insurance I'm guaranteed higher rates come renewal time. I'd rather not claim something like this anyway. $750 is no big deal out of pocket and my top is in great shape otherwise so I can't justify an entirely new top. I'd be happy with a new claerer plastic window.

Jeff

Why go through the dealer
 

Who will take his cut. Go to the upholstery shop directly. The going rate for rear window plastic replacement is $400.

And you can replace the top yourself.

See Here

If you were to file a claim and then switch insurance carriers, would the new insurance company be aware of the claim since it wasn't a DMV related incident?

My top was slashed as well about a year or so ago.
I had a GAHH top with a glass window installed by my local Porsche dealer, ran about 1700 or 1800 bucks..if I remember.

top
 

Beware Of Insurance Fraud!!!!

I am very sorry to hear about your window. Let me know if you want help torturing the inconsiderate sob who did this to you.

Don't know if this will matter to you or not, but you do know that when they sew in a new plastic window, they have to cut out the old one, so when they sew in a new one, the replacement window will be slightly larger than the original one. Not a big deal, but it won't be the same size as OEM. If your insurance co. is willing to cover a new top, why not just get a glass windowed GAHH or Robbins top? No more worries of someone slicing your plastic window right? ;)

I think I paid 600.00 to have the plastic window replaced by one of the best (and most expensive) shops around.

Ed

:cheers:

Does anyone have any thoughts about how I can fix the cut while I decide what to do? I mean, is there a product that can chemically mend the cut back together so that water doesn't seep in?

Jeff

2 words..

DUCT TAPE :)

sorry

If you're going to tape it, might as well go for clear packing (shipping) tape - at least it will be less noticeable that way. It won't hold up for years (will likely yellow over time) but will look better than silver/grey for the short while that you'll need it.

or just get a hardtop hehe

Well, if anyone quotes more than $2k for replacing the top with a GAHH or Robbins GLASS window top... you're getting ripped. Each of those tops can be had for less than $1k, and a top/auto/boat/upholstery shop should be able to do the install in about a day's worth of labor, if not less.

Yes, there is something perfect for that. Go to Lowe's and buy Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic Flexible Adhesive. It's about $5.99. I put a stress crack in my window over the winter and used this to glue it together. So far it has held perfectly, and I've put the top up and down a couple of dozen times. My tear is right against the fabric and you can't even tell it's glued together.

Great, thank you Chills,,,thats exactly what I was looking for!

Jeff

Awesome, I'm gonna try that Loctite adhesive out too!

A little hint in applying the glue: use a toothpick. Dab a drop or two onto the tip of the toothpick and then lightly spread it onto the crack. It is a bit time consuming, but this will keep the glue from gooping up. Put on a thin coat, let it dry for an hour, then put another coat on. I probably did this 4 times to make sure I got a good seal.

I've washed my car 3 times since then and drove in the rain. No leaks (knock on wood :) ).

Chills comes to the rescue again. I just developed a 3" crack and will be headed to Lowe's this weekend.

When my plastic window was slashed last year, my ins. co wrote me an estimate for replacing the top with aftermarket... Not many insurance adjusters are savy enough to know that a plastic window can be sewn in. I got a brand new GAHH top out of the deal.

It is worth a try.

Best of luck.

Oh no! Now that I've already learned that the 03 and newer cars have a glass windowed top, I kinda wish I had bought an 03 or newer instead of my 02. I missed by one year!

Is there any way to put a glass windowed top on a car that came with plastic? I"m guessing it's expensive enough that it wouldn't be worth it, but who knows, I've been surprised by things before.

GAHH top installed for about 900-1200, OEM porsche glass window top with the required new framing @ 5000$. the aftermarket tops are very nice, the window is smaller, but it is hard to notice really.

awesome directions
 

I'll be installing the GAHH top myself with the help of this set of instructions. Thanks!

Jon

I got a new GAHH top (glass window) put on yesterday: literally.

After 6 years, clouds and cracks in the plastic forced my hand. My car was 100% OEM -- so I didn't take the decision to go with a non-OEM top lightly.

I could not be happier. The top is of equal/better quality and fit to the OEM top and the smaller window seems to give it a ever-so-slightly more streamlined profile. I like the look better than the OEM. I don't think anyone other than a Boxster owner would know it is not from the Porsche factory.

Also fully loaded cost was $2200 -- I'll pocket the differential between this and the OEM.

Long way of saying -- OEM is great. But so is the GAHH top!

Depending on how big your cut is, I used silcon (pliable) cauking to keep the rain out. If the cut is big you can always use a needle and fishing line (clear) to get it close enough to use silicon cauking. The cauking remains pliable so you can still lower and raise your top.

Duct tape on a Porsche? Are you nuts!! :eek:

You can install a used OEM glass windowed top from an 03 or 04 very easily on a '02, and there is no re-wiring or other parts needed. You can get the top from a junkyard or from someone who is setting up a dedicated track car. The going price for the complete top and frame assembly varies between $750 and $2500 and the whole conversion process takes less than 2 to 3 hours.

Regards, Maurice.

Gaah Replacement
 

The Gaah replacement with the glass window fits and works great. The glass window is a little smaller than the stock plastic window, so you wind up with a bit more in the way of blind spots. Don't bother with the Porsche Dealership, they just farm it out to the local upholsterer anyway.

i've got a small crack in my window 1-2mm from the edge/seam where the plastic meets the window.

does that loctite stuf dry CLEAR?

is the loctite stuff better than the silicone caulking idea? both sound like good ideas for a temporary fix. my tear is so small - maybe an inch long at most...I'd rather fix it this way, and then wait until I "have" to fix the window - as the rest of my window is pliable and clear looking.... once it totally goes bad, I can see springing the money for a new upgraded GAAH top or something, but for now, i'd be happy to just "ghetto" fix it as long as it doesn't look tacky. my crack is small and given the lcoation, this idea to DIY might work fine.

my car is not a DD, and when it's out on the road, 99% of the time the top is down anyway..to for now it's more just to keep it from getting any worse and for the rare occasion when I could get trapped in rain.

I used a clear vinyl pool liner repair kit.

Cut a patch for each side of the rip.

Almost invisible repair and very water tight.

Later,
Mark1999

My top has a sewn in window replacement, it leaks.

I'd go for a new top at the insurance companies expense and change companies if they raise your rates.