New Member, Z-Art Question - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

morbidelli17 · 02-11-2021, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTele58

Start here: http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/69896-z-top-thread.html

Search the forum for zeintop. There's a ton of info.

The link above will keep you entertained for hours. It's the best z-top build I've seen.

I have lurked on that thread for months. That car is so gorgeous that it even convinced my wife that a Porsche would be a good idea. That gentleman's work was detailed and meticulous and the finished product was amazing.

JBauer · 02-12-2021, 07:55 AM

Heres a pic of the inside.
Just my 2 cents though. You really dont want to do this. It will just look tacky and ruin your top. They arent made to be cut.

morbidelli17 · 02-13-2021, 08:03 AM

Thanks for the pic - and the advice. I'll keep an open mind until I can get a good look at whatever arrives off the slow boat from China. And there's a shop near me that specializes in sunroof installs. I'll see what they have to say there.

If I've learned nothing, it's that listening to expert advice is usually a pretty good idea. On the other hand, some of the best moments of my life have come shortly after saying, eh, what's the worst that can happen?

Appreciate the input. Gonna take the car for a spin today ...

JBauer · 02-13-2021, 10:17 AM

Once you get it you'll see what I mean. The fiberglass on the middle of the roof and hatch is not thick, double walled but thin. I think cutting a big hole would effect the structure integrity. They flex some anyway without a hole. If you need anything once you get it just let me know.

morbidelli17 · 03-10-2021, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBauer

Once you get it you'll see what I mean. The fiberglass on the middle of the roof and hatch is not thick, double walled but thin. I think cutting a big hole would effect the structure integrity. They flex some anyway without a hole. If you need anything once you get it just let me know.

So it's allegedly gonna be here sometime between two and six weeks from now. Two questions:

- I think you'd suggested getting new trunk brackets and having the new set permanently attached to the hardtop. Would you suggest also getting a new trunk latch?

- Did you actually pull the brake light from your trunk lid, or did you buy a different "third eye" brake light? If so, what did you use?

Thanks!

Qingdao · 03-10-2021, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morbidelli17

So it's allegedly gonna be here sometime between two and six weeks from now. Two questions:

- I think you'd suggested getting new trunk brackets and having the new set permanently attached to the hardtop. Would you suggest also getting a new trunk latch?

- Did you actually pull the brake light from your trunk lid, or did you buy a different "third eye" brake light? If so, what did you use?

Thanks!

Dunno about the trunk brackets. Like the latch that closes the trunk? I think they come with the kit.

I think the high mount brake light comes with the top. I got mine and the third brake light was inop. So I just bought a motorcycle red LED brake light and stuck it in the place behind the glass for the high mount light.

JBauer · 03-10-2021, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morbidelli17

So it's allegedly gonna be here sometime between two and six weeks from now. Two questions:

- I think you'd suggested getting new trunk brackets and having the new set permanently attached to the hardtop. Would you suggest also getting a new trunk latch?

- Did you actually pull the brake light from your trunk lid, or did you buy a different "third eye" brake light? If so, what did you use?

Thanks!

I bought an extra set of hinges and a second trunk latch just to leave on my top. Make switching and adjusting it easier. The 3rd brake light that comes with the top is a cheapo $10 light. I bought an led strip brake light to go across the top of the window.

Qingdao · 02-13-2021, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morbidelli17

Thanks for the pic - and the advice. I'll keep an open mind until I can get a good look at whatever arrives off the slow boat from China. And there's a shop near me that specializes in sunroof installs. I'll see what they have to say there.

If I've learned nothing, it's that listening to expert advice is usually a pretty good idea. On the other hand, some of the best moments of my life have come shortly after saying, eh, what's the worst that can happen?

Appreciate the input. Gonna take the car for a spin today ...

Keep the bits they cut out. Worst case scenario you have to glass them back in. If you glass it well it should be mostly unnoticeable.

Glass the outside from the inside first so any "lumpy" will be inside the two panes of fiberglass. Then glass the interior; any lumpy glass buildup can be covered with a headliner.

morbidelli17 · 02-14-2021, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qingdao

Keep the bits they cut out. Worst case scenario you have to glass them back in. If you glass it well it should be mostly unnoticeable.

Glass the outside from the inside first so any "lumpy" will be inside the two panes of fiberglass. Then glass the interior; any lumpy glass buildup can be covered with a headliner.

I road race motorcycles, so I've got a little experience with fiberglass repair ...

But yeah, that's part of what I was thinking, that if I keep the pieces that are cut out, they can always be 'glassed back in. If the job is out of my league, I know a guy who's been doing fiberglass boat repair for a few decades now. I try to always have a backup plan or a plan to revert back to the original state.

Will have to look at the top when I get it to check for rigidity, curvature of roof, etc. What is it they say - no plan survives first contact with the enemy? If the removable panel doesn't appear feasible, there's always the idea of pulling a mold from the roof, using the mold to do a Lexan panoramic panel and figuring out a way of installing that. But we'll see what we're working with first.

And JB, seriously - I really don't think of red as a Porsche color, but yours is the nicest red one that I've seen since the Herrmann and Attwood one from 1970.

p.s. Anyone, your experience with the Wurth wheel paint? I have a couple of scuffs that I'd like to fix ...

JBauer · 02-15-2021, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morbidelli17

Anyone, your experience with the Wurth wheel paint? I have a couple of scuffs that I'd like to fix ...

I bought 2 cans, looks like a match but both cans were defective because of a recall they had several years ago. The seller woudnt replace the cans, but did refund my money, so make sure you dont get any old cans.
Thanks for the compliment. I've gone green temporary.

Starter986 · 02-15-2021, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBauer

I bought 2 cans, looks like a match but both cans were defective because of a recall they had several years ago. The seller woudnt replace the cans, but did refund my money, so make sure you dont get any old cans.
Thanks for the compliment. I've gone green temporary.

The red looked great... best yet I've seen.

The green has been growing on me. You nailed the wrap. The car looks great, JB.

morbidelli17 · 02-15-2021, 05:17 PM

That's a wrap? Very nice ...

solo118 · 02-15-2021, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBauer

I bought 2 cans, looks like a match but both cans were defective because of a recall they had several years ago. The seller woudnt replace the cans, but did refund my money, so make sure you dont get any old cans.
Thanks for the compliment. I've gone green temporary.

Looks AMAZING! What are those headlights?

Qingdao · 02-15-2021, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morbidelli17

I road race motorcycles, so I've got a little experience with fiberglass repair ...

But yeah, that's part of what I was thinking, that if I keep the pieces that are cut out, they can always be 'glassed back in. If the job is out of my league, I know a guy who's been doing fiberglass boat repair for a few decades now. I try to always have a backup plan or a plan to revert back to the original state.

Will have to look at the top when I get it to check for rigidity, curvature of roof, etc. What is it they say - no plan survives first contact with the enemy? If the removable panel doesn't appear feasible, there's always the idea of pulling a mold from the roof, using the mold to do a Lexan panoramic panel and figuring out a way of installing that. But we'll see what we're working with first.

And JB, seriously - I really don't think of red as a Porsche color, but yours is the nicest red one that I've seen since the Herrmann and Attwood one from 1970.

p.s. Anyone, your experience with the Wurth wheel paint? I have a couple of scuffs that I'd like to fix ...

AHRMA? Recently I've got the inklin to try out flat tracking. My buddies dad did it back in the 70s and 80s, but I figure it might be terrifying enough for me.

You seem like you got more experience than me on glass. I just lived aboard a boat for a few years. That'll teach anybody how to "make it work", but make it pretty is a different story that I never read. lol

morbidelli17 · 02-15-2021, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qingdao

AHRMA? Recently I've got the inklin to try out flat tracking. My buddies dad did it back in the 70s and 80s, but I figure it might be terrifying enough for me.

You seem like you got more experience than me on glass. I just lived aboard a boat for a few years. That'll teach anybody how to "make it work", but make it pretty is a different story that I never read. lol

I can do racer-quality glass that gets the bike to the next race - it looks good when I'm on the track and you're in the stands! But that's enough to give me an idea of what's possible.

I've done AHRMA a few times (my one and only "National"-level podium on a nasty custom Single) but I usually race WERA West. And it's funny how everyone has different fear triggers. Flat track, like motocross, looks terrifying to me. Knee-down at 120 mph in Turn Eight at Willow, though - no problem ... :dance: