Missing Mesh
 

My new (to me) Boxster is missing the roll bar meshes.
1. does anyone know what they're actually called, so I can search for replacements easier?
2. Has anyone come up with some interesting ways to fill this spot with something else, or otherwise found a way to create some visual interest here? Painted mesh, perhaps? Other?

Hmm this sounds like another good project for nine8six

I know they are hard to find and $$$

Check the Pelican site; they're not inexpensive!

2000 Porsche Boxster S Convertible - Convertible Parts - Page 1

Here is a used on on eBay. They are out there, just keep an eye open for them. This is one of my favorite eBay sellers for Porsche parts.

03 Boxster rwd Porsche 986 L Black Rear Roll Bar Trim Insert Plastic 73 189 | eBay

okay, so they are hard to find...it's not just me. And yes, how offensively expensive for a couple pieces of flimsy plastic.

Can anyone snap some pictures of how the original headrest meshes install? My car has none of the parts left. I'd like to see how the original pieces fit on the rollbars so I can see about making something.

Kindofa pain, but maybe an opportunity to do something cool. I've got some heat-shrink Lexan I can vacuum form to a shape. Or maybe there's a cool mesh I can find as a starting point.

I have mine tapped in, in excess of the clips, just to be sure haha. The price is definitely not cool! Hope you find some

During warm weather I remove mine and the clear wind block. On cooler days I have them in. My top is rarely up.

When you get some
 

Zip Tie :cheers:

If these could be duplicated with vacuum-formed tinted lexan with no holes then I would be lining up, cash in hand. The originals don't do much in the way of windblocking.

Mark, perhaps this is what you could use.

986 Porsche Boxster Windscreen Windblocker Wind Deflector | eBay

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MzYwWDQxMQ...UFsrs/$_12.JPG

FYI the one pictured requires the plastic roll bar wind blocker piece as well. It installs on that.

I looked at those, even made a pair myself, but they look kinda bush league with those screws through the mesh.

Also looked at the one that replaces all three pieces with one piece of full-width plexi and attaches with wire ties. Even more bush league.

But a vacuum-molded replica of the original in tinted lexan, or even a solid color - that would look sharp.

What causes the screens to come off or break? Since my car came without, I have no way of even analyzing the problem. Are they held on by special clips? I don't see any screw holes anywhere. Do they crack? Are they blown off the car? What's failing with these things? Apparently the previous owner replaced them once already, which doesn't inspire confidence in another purchase.

The inserts are molded plastic and include small tabs which clip onto the roll bar hoops. Over time, the tabs become brittle. Also, air pressure can dislodge the inserts. As Dwight mentioned, I put one small black zip tie on each, and haven't had an issue since.

Can you share a picture of where you guys are zip tying it so it's not visible? I'm always nervous about it flying out but I don't want to zip tie it if it's conspicuous.

Here you go. It's not pretty, but it works. Most people would never notice.

I bought a pair with broken tabs from a Porsche dismantler for $20. Couple of screws on the inside that you can't see. Best thing I ever bought. I also have the plexiglass screen. Bought that for $75 the same day. Bit expensive but I live literally 5 minutes from the place. Can't pass up the convenience of having all the 986 parts I could ever want near my house.

Found a pic that shows my mesh. Oh I miss the warm sunny weather when this was taken... Currently -5 wind chill in OKC http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1420732265.jpg

It just occured to me that I could probably Print one on my 3D printer in ABS plastic with some customized design of Text or logo etc.

What are they charging for these things on eBay, perhaps I could provide an alternative.

I'll have to measure mine to see if it will fit on the Print bed.

I personally think my car looks better without the mesh and clear wind blockers installed. I also don't think they do very much in the way of wind blocking. So mine are sitting on a shelf in the basement. If I ever need money to send my kids to college i'll put them up for sale lol.

I've used a small piece of double sided 3M tape under the tabs instead of a zip tie.

I've got an 8x8x8in print bed. Could make some kind of a two piece deflector. The biggest part is the model or good measurements of a stock mesh

If you read the text of the linked EBay ad early in this thread ,you'll read that the mesh contributes to wind noise. That makes me wonder why we don't try a full width Lexan windblocker. I made one for my Miata and attached it to the roll bar hoops with zip ties.It has worked flawlessly for over a year. For my XKE there is a clear windblocker that curves around at each outboard edge. You can bend thin polycarbonate/acrylic with/without the heat for a hair dryer(lots on You tube).
The 3 Porsche parts are very expensive and marginally effective. By comparison ,some Lexan/Plexiglass is cheap and this project requires no mods to the car.

Oh man, I'm so with you there! The second it gets up above 40, I'm dropping the top just to curb withdrawal symptoms.

On the windblockers, I can see wanting the pieces if you happen to like the look or you're a completionist. However on mine, one car has the full length lexan windblocker, and the other has nothing at all. To be honest, I notice no difference in wind buffeting between the two whatsoever.

The "crossfire" merely duplicates the OEM item between the roll bar hoops. The proposal was for a full width piece of lexan/plexiglass spanning the entire width of the car, including the voids in the driver & passenger hoops.
If you span the entire width with a windblocker, the mesh is redundant.

Looking like my patio door more than anything else but I'm sure it's effective ;)

http://www.yostwerks.com/BoxWindK.jpg

Source: DIY Boxster Wind Deflector

Yes, that is better !
I agree this example is clumsily detailed. The straps are needlessly large and should be silver colored to blend with the hoops.
An alternative fitting is the special screws used to fit motorcycle windshields. Get the stainless steel. They are sometimes called "Wellnuts" .Only $1 each on Fleabay
Honda Motorcycle Windscreen Screws Bolt Kit Windshiled Stainless Steel | eBay
Use tinted Lexan -color of tint to blend with car paint color. Would look OEM.

Easy to trim if the shape isn't much complex. Edges are sanded using #100, #280 and finished with wet #600. You could flame polish the edge but that never look too good... gives an irregular reflective surface (looks melted regardless of how good you do it). The wet #600 gives a nice and classy matte finishing to the edge - and it look straight.

Some tips that wasn't mentioned in the previous DIY post. Just in case one catch this thread and want to go that way

I think I've seen them for $1-150 typically.

This is kinda what I'm thinking. All this needs is a little piping around the edge to give it a more finished look. It might also be cool with a different style mesh, or maybe a metal screen material of some kind.

Doesnt look like a Chrysler

I think it is the Chrysler, SupaBlu edition

Does anyone know how the plastic trim on the roll bar comes off? I have the same issue with broken tabs and am thinking of an alternative mount or screen. Want to see if the attachment could be integrated into the trim.

It's been a while, but I believe I simply began prying gently at one end of the trim and pulling it off. The trim is held on the roll bar by several expandable plastic pins.