$15 Replacement Rear Plastic Window!!!

[Motobob]

The first part sounded easy...keep us updated. Bob

[blue2000s]

Are you sure you want to rate the difficulty level yet?

[mptoledo]

Finale
It is done, except for sealing the seams and taping the inside seams with more gorilla duct tape(The tape will keep it water tight and hide the threads. Now I can clean off the cat prints, cat hair and dirt(The flash made it look worse than it is).
Overall, I am really happy with the outcome. It was a lot easier to sew the bottom than I thought, as I just flipped the convertible up and did both sides from the outside. Once you get a rythym down sewing it, it wasn't really that bad. It folds nicely but I imagine I'll still have to be careful in cold weather.

Here are some pics I couldn't post in the original thread as I reached my limit.

[Boxtaboy]

Difficulty in removing: 1

Difficulty in hand sewing in a new window with top canvas still on car: 9

[mptoledo]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

Difficulty in removing: 1

Difficulty in hand sewing in a new window with top canvas still on car: 9

Yeah, I hear you. It is too cold today (36) to continue. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I picked up some coleman seam sealer at walmart today. I think I will prep the new window by glueing the edge strip on the inside of the new widow(keeps the stitches from pulling throught the window). I will also use the old window as a template to poke holes in the same places.

I have a feeling the sewing will be a ********************, as I will have to put the needle in the hole and go to the inside of the car to put it back out the next hole. 2 people would definately help in this phase. I also have to be careful in the placement of the window. i might sew it in on all 4 sides to hold it in place. I was toying with the idea using some liquid nails silone clear flexible silocon type stuff between the window and the outside edge to make it more water proof.

Side note: I do like the flexibility of the 20gauge vinyl but I have concerns about the sun beating on it and its longetivity. The way I look at it is; what do I have to lose? I was going to get a new glass top style, until I saw a plastic window in a boat and thougth, "how hard could that be?".

[kabel]

Indeed I would reconsider the difficulty rating...

Been there, did the fix myself with a kit. It is a lot of work, much more than I had anticipated.

If your on Renntech I sort-of took over another thread about a top, there are a couple pics there as well as some discussion of the process:
http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=17836&st=20&p=94287&#entry94287

If you are not a hardcore DIYer and do not have someone to help you with the stitching I would recommend you find a shop willing to stitch in a new window with the canvas still on the frame. The entire convertible top (canvas & frame) is surprisingly easy to remove. Most shops want to remove the canvas from the frame, that is where it gets expensive.

Also see this thread where we touched on the subject:
http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15564&highlight=window

See also:
DYI rear plastic window.

Cracked Plastic

Replacing plastic back window '01 Boxster's Top

[mptoledo]

Thanks, but I figured it would be a little tedious. I did read all those threads and a few others. I do consider my self pretty handy and will get this done. I figure I will take it a little bit at a time. I am semi retired and have plenty of time to do it.

I do have a few questions if you don't mind

1.) Did you do one continous stitch?
2.) Is yours water tight and if so, what did you use between the platic and the canvass?
3.) Did you use glue to hold in place?