Replacing plastic window of convertible top

[jcs012]

Anyone with a shop to recommend with replacing the plastic window of my 2001 Boxster? It tore up one time I retracted the top.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. If anyone knows a shop in the East Bay or South Bay/San Jose area, that would be great!

Thanks!

[ericinca]

I can highly recommend Premier Upholstery in Santa Clara. I installed my own top with a glass window to save some bucks, but when I couldn't get it perfect, they fixed it right for me. High quality family shop that's been in business for decades.

[MileHighBoxster]

Any marine upholstry (which you guys have many of) or automotive upholstery shop can to an excellent job. I had it done once and my only advice is be specific to them on how to finish the welting around the window. It will be cheaper (but work fine) to have it triple stitched in but it looks best if it's trimmed out and finished like the original install. But that will cost a little more.

[jcs012]

I can't believe I'm being quoted $800-$1000 for this! Anyone who knows a cheaper shop?

[DenverSteve]

Did you check with 4-5 shops? If not, one won't do. I paid $550 for my last rear window replacement.

[Topless]

$350 at Bills Top Shop in Long Beach to PCA members.

[ChrisZang]

Originally Posted by jcs012

I can't believe I'm being quoted $800-$1000 for this! Anyone who knows a cheaper shop?

I think the complete replacement of my top with plastic window to an aftermarket glass top was around $1,200

[vijen6]

Originally Posted by Topless

$350 at Bills Top Shop in Long Beach to PCA members.

For that price, its a good excuse to make a trip down South. Did you have to provide the glass ?

[Spinnaker]

The going rate in Seattle is $385. Keep looking around for a shop that will do it for a reasonable price.
Automobile Convertible Top Sales, Installation and Repair of Seattle WA

[jcs012]

Originally Posted by ChrisZang

I think the complete replacement of my top with plastic window to an aftermarket glass top was around $1,200

If you are switching to glass, I think that's a reasonable price. But for plastic? It was too high. Ridiculous!

[ChrisZang]

Try Mountain View Auto Interiors:

1900 Old Middlefield Wy B
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 964-8096
mountainviewautointeriors@gmail.com

Bob Demarco (the owner) gave me a killer price on installing my glass top and on covering a seat in leather
Bob has done over 100+ Boxster glass tops do far, so he's very familiar with the Boxster top and I am sure he will give you a great deal on putting a new plastic window in

[silverboxter]

Bob's in Redlands, CA (socal) did my for $400. He's real busy and hard to schedule but worth it. Just wanted to give you an idea of price range.

[jcs012]

Originally Posted by ChrisZang

Try Mountain View Auto Interiors:

1900 Old Middlefield Wy B
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 964-8096
mountainviewautointeriors@gmail.com

Bob Demarco (the owner) gave me a killer price on installing my glass top and on covering a seat in leather
Bob has done over 100+ Boxster glass tops do far, so he's very familiar with the Boxster top and I am sure he will give you a great deal on putting a new plastic window in

This guy gave me the best quote. Only problem is they're only open Monday-Friday! Bummer!

[Overdrive]

As has been mentioned already, you can always go with a new top with glass instead of the plastic. The downsides to it are a smaller window that may restrict your rear view, and the glass will not fold like the plastic when putting the top in the service position. If you're ok with these two things (many people have been), and your original top could use a replacement, it's worth the cost. Just so I make sure I say it though, understand that you can't put glass into your original/current top that has a plastic window. It's a complete replacement of the canvas top.

As for the plastic replacement route, some places will do it, some places won't. Some won't stitch it in with the top on the car (hence your high overall cost due to labor for removing and installing the top), and others won't stitch it in if the top isn't on the frame for them to ensure the window doesn't sag. But as others have said, it does seem possible to have it done, just make sure it won't leak and that your top isn't looking bad overall, otherwise you might as well pay about the same and replace the whole thing with a new plastic-window top.