Soft Top Help and Advice Please!

[Tims450SL]

*Is there a way to fabricate some rear plastic windows on a top that had them exacto knifed out at the perfect edge of the canvas? Yes- Some Yahoo did that- and my top is original and in 99% perfect condition...Gosh...Why do normal earthlings mess with a car of this stature?? I am sick sick sick! Please help! I could cry.... I have bought the top down cover and the top up cover from Performance in the event I take the hard top off- and I am not subject to a major down pour while driving...but is there a way that a alternative 3 sections of plastic could be used? I did try a marine top maker- and they seemed un interested in helping...there has to be a clear imaginative soluti to this...I appreciate any and all (even funny ) Ideas..Thanks!!!!!

[dugald]

The MB manual gives instructions for replacing the plastic windows, but as you might guess, it requires removing the canvas top from the car.
If you go to the trouble and expense of removing the canvas, you may as well just install a whole new top.
Re-stitched windows are unlikely to look perfect anyway.

[Graham]

There are companies that offer soft top window replacement. I would think that in Florida there would be dozens. But as Dugald says, it may be just as cheap to replace the whole top.

This is a Ca company that has some info on window replacement:

http://premierupholstery.com/services/convtop/pwindow

I did see a discussion somewhere regarding DIY window replacement for cases like yours. No idea if it worked or not. What was suggested, was to cut out new vinyl windows that are 3/8-1/2" oversize all round. Then edge with a fabric hem that has narrow Velcro sewn on the one side. The other half of the Velcro is adhered to the inside of the top either using an adhesive or stickyback Velcro. Because the Velcro may not be enough to hold window in all conditions, writer suggested adding small snaps to mechanically hold the window in place and just leave the Velcro do do the sealing.

In fact you may be able to dispense with the Velcro and just glue the fabric hem to the top.

Might work and if it doesn't it won't have cost much?

[8092400e]

I have been contemplating changing my windows out in a similar fashion, buying the windows from www.sailrite.com and using a PVC type glue. My canvas is perfect, the side windows have the typical crease crack in them. I have not gotten as far as trying different glues on samples yet, but thats the next step.

[Tims450SL]

wow! Thanks! I am impressed- Maybe the velcro deal would work...I know the top is exensive- It is just wasnt on my budget- but I like that idea- where do you think I could get some lastic that is close to being good enough?

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Tims450SL

wow! Thanks! I am impressed- Maybe the velcro deal would work...I know the top is exensive- It is just wasnt on my budget- but I like that idea- where do you think I could get some lastic that is close to being good enough?

Sailrite is one place, but a local sailmaker, or anyone who makes boat tops should have the material. The stuff they use for windows in sails takes quite a beating, so should work fine.

One of those boat top companies would probably make up the windows if you told them exactly what you wanted to do. They may even have some good ideas on how to improve on the Velcro attachment.

[Tims450SL]

Im going tday- Thanks everyone! I appreciate it alot! Tim