Porsche Boxster: Vinyl Window Replacement
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- Опубликовано: 11 ноя 2014
- How to replace just the vinyl window in a soft top. I'm working on a Porsche Boxster 2001 but the sewing will be similar for any soft top.
Tap Plastics is local for me so I just pick it up at the store in the bay area. If you're not in California then you can order a sheet online here: bit.ly/1xKHUS0
Keep in mind you need this kind of vinyl because it is thick enough, meant for auto applications, and it is UV protected.
You'll also needs some black UV protected thread: amzn.to/1sBTN98
Black Silicone Sealant along the edges for weather proofing: amzn.to/1u9rhQP
Some beefy needles:
amzn.to/1u0eGxI
And a set of thimbles so you wont prick your fingers:
amzn.to/1pPqd4x
The clear vinyl and the UV protected thread is a bit special and it'll be hard to find substitutes. For other products, I recommend to get them at a local Daiso for $1.50 each. If you have no such luxury then you'll have to get them online. .
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Fantastic job. You have convinced me I will pay someone else to do it for me or I'll replace the entire top. I do not have the patience you do and I am afraid my result wouldn't look as nice.
It is indeed a paint and I dread redoing it because it has a little ripple in it. Thankfully , the ripple relaxed a bit more and looks passable now. I think it's about $500 ish if you find a low price place to do it.
Thankyou for your informative videos
I have much admiration of your patience and hard work
In Sydney Australia and just purchased a 1997 boxster
+Cory Lom Patience or just plain crazy. Hours or manual sewing thick as leather cloth is pretty brutal. I assume you are looking at this because your new used boxster has a yellow rear window?
A valiant effort! I did this once before, and it was the most boring weekend and my hands were really sore. I only managed to lightly poke myself a few times. Next time I'm going to replace the entire top with one that has a glass window. If anyone really wants to do this, a sail cloth awl is easier but even with that it was excruciatingly slow. Maybe ask upholstery shops if they have a heavy duty sewing machine with the right sewing pattern?
I did mine a few years ago... I think I re-used the existing needle holes, too. It took me two or three concentrated afternoons using a ship sail awl. I would've bought the replacement top with a glass rear window had I known how long it would take before starting. I got a bump in the same corner of the vinyl after I was done!
Your video is the best so far . So many try products that would never work. Most give up at the first sign of learning something difficult.
I know this is hard to do and I'm ready.
Thanks! I dunno if I would do this again. I think my car will die before I have to do it again.
Well done!!!
I'm contemplating this replacement and I have concluded that a new top with glass window is the way to go
Great job!!!
Thank you
I just repacled a new top with glass, 10hrs, was my first porsche but have done others, trimmer by trade
Hi, I am in the process of doing exactly the same, I can totally agree, if I knew how awkward this job is I certainly wouldn't of started, Yours makes mine look like a pigs arse, Well done for your determination and patience, Oh by the way i very rarely pay anyone to do anything , but this is a job for the proffesionals or someone with vice fingers
Once again You did a great job
Elliot
Great info! Very nicely done for the DIY. Thank you!
You are amazing person! thanks for sharing this video, I just get my Porsche Boxster
Your videos are amazing. Have one question though, can I remove the convertible top and drive the car with hard top? Will the car start and run?? Thank you
Great job! Way to just go after it. I'm about to try the same thing soon. Also awesome idea taking the top off the vehicle, I'm definitely doing my that way. 👍
This is a fantastic instructional video. Thank you, Nice.
You're welcome. Apparently, if you can find a place that has a canvas sewing machine, they can do it pretty cost effectively if you remove the top yourself. I like doing stuff myself no matter how hard. Specially then look I get when I tell people I sewed every stitch on it. O_O
Persistence and patience! Tip my hat to you!
Yes! Thank you!
great detail in removing the top. Super helpful
Thanks!
You have more patience than I I think I would bring it to the boat canopy makers to sew it by machine.
you should use 2 long nose pliers !! i used to repair my top easily like that! Your patience is admirable, good work!
+lucoche Thanks much! Yeah... I tried using pliers but then it would break my cheap $0.99 needles. Perhaps should've gotten better needles.
+BeatTheBush you just have to pinch the needle lower to avoid buckling and make sure you give the pressure as axially as you can
+lucoche Yep, I did that but they break after 20 ish times of stitches. Oh well, I'm NEVER doing this again. LOL. Glad it worked for you tho. =)
do you know why the edge of convertable top doesnt go into channel on its own and also does that wire edge screw to car
Your videos are great. It appears you replaced your plastic window in 2014. I'm about to do mine. Do you have any recent "ah ha" moments or tips to share before I begin?
I wonder if you could pre-drill holes in the PVC?
I know this is a PITA but replacing the entire top is also brutal a.f.
Final result looks really good imho. You're sposeda drive the Boxster with the top down in any case. It's just nice to have a window that isn't full of holes and disintegrating.
Excellent video. I had a question about the "backside" of the window. When I look at my boxster, it looks like there is a backing material which overlaps the window. If you cut the new window with some excess material on the inside, how would that backing material overlap it when you are sewing it in?
Same way as before. The vinyl is sandwiched between the canvas of the top and the backing material. You sew through all of it.
Thanks a lot for the reply. I've ordered the window and material and hope to do it in October before it gets too cold around here. Thanks again for the great video.
Hey, thanks for the video. I actuall found a used top with a glass window and thought it would be real easy to just swap the top. It was pretty easy, but I am having one problem ... getting the third bolt (the one furthest toward the front of the car) back in. it seems like if the other two are in that the third should go in easily but I am really struggling to get it lined up and since it is a little inaccessable. Any ideas or tips on how to do that?
Jonathan Chartrand I found it pretty hard too. Maybe try putting the third bolt in first and then do the other two. I had to wiggle the whole thing a bit to get it to go in. Also try closing the latch inside the cabin, it might just be enough twist in the assembly to get the holes to match up.
How do you stabilize the vinyl at the start. Of the sewing
Where do I buy this material? Is it special material or just simple vinyl?
I have the same problem on my 99 Boxster. I have the DOT vinyl and am considering gluing it to the old window. I was going to leave a 1/2" of the old window to glue to and use HH-66 vinyl cement (this is what the marine repair shops use). Im sure I could complete the repair in a hour or so. It might not look as nice as the sewn in window but it would be much easier to do.
+Ed Kinakin If gluing to the remaining 1/2", I wonder if the remaining old vinyl would crack at the edges and cause a leak. I suppose you can fill it with something. I mean if you're okay with the look of it being glued on, its a good way to save A LOT of time.
+BeatTheBush I appreciate you posting this video as it gives me an idea of what is involved and why the repair shops quote so much to do this job.
+Ed Kinakin Thanks for watching the video. =D But then the repair shops would usually use a commercial sewing machine making the 20 hours of sewing turned into 30 minutes.
How is your glue solution? I need to replace my window now, and want to borrow from you guys experience. Thanks.
@@BeatTheBush Hi, I am also live in Bay Area, do you know where can I find commercial sewing service? Thanks.
Bought the material from Tap Plastic. Visited Jacquie's Sew & Sew at Palo Alto, they suggest me visit Palo Alto Upholstery which is professional, they need me remove the roof from car and also remove the frame before send to their place, and the labor is $325 for the sewing only. I will try to find some other place with better price or DIY.
thanks for the video and great job! sadly it's not a fix for my 2001 audi TT that has a glass rear window... cheers!
Hmmm, if it has glass, I supposed you have attach it to the canvas in other ways. Thanks for watching! =D
factory has it stitched glued and stretched. you did awesome for DYI
thanks! as you can see from the vid, it was pretty painful.
Good work man, it beats having a yellow cracked window lol.
Wavy clear window is certainly better than cracked yellow that you can't even see through.
Bro you have the patience of a Saint
What is the vinyl you search for. What is it called?
How's it holding up after 2 years? I want to do this project as well on my 986!~
It's better because the plastic relaxed a little bit more and looks a bit flatter now. Not perfect but good enough for me.
So...fabric glues won't work for this job? what are the alternatives for stitching other than replacing the entire cover ?
+RK RK I doubt fabric glue will have the strength of constant flapping and the sun beating down on it. It'll last a good week in a hot summer day tops. I supposed you could just cut the old yellow vinyl out and just glue the new one back in from the inside. The type of glue needed will be tricky since the vinyl needs to bend in the middle. I cant think of a one that would have the strength to last a long time.
just bought a car like this. and my top is in great shape like urs but the plastic window is starting to come out..... dont understand why its not glass.... my cheap Miata has glass lol. anyways.... how long did it take to get the top on and off? u made it seem fairly easy. just tight spots. great video. i may have to try this since i dont want to spend another 500 just for a 30 dollar window.
Wasn't too hard to get the top off. The sewing takes much longer.
Love your video
Thank you!
Yo, Man, thx for video. I've just finished mine 986 window replacement - it took 8-10 hours of work. So my tips is
1. I used big needle and pliers to operate it - it's much easier than use your fingers.
2. I used original holes in tent, but not every hole - my step was 1 cm
3. I always waxed thread with candle wax and no leaking at all.
4. Just take black thread (in color with roof) and nobody will see anything
Thx again for inspiration
Nice. The pliers is needed to make it faster. Need a tough needle then.
That is a lot of work!
***** Lol, yes, I'm a little crazy. At least I saved about $1500 doing it myself =D.
+BeatTheBush my dad just bought a '97 Boxster and the previous owner started installing a new top. I'm in the process of finishing the new top installation and it is difficult and time consuming.
What a nice son you are to take on such a time consuming task for you dad! I agree its insanely difficult and I've been dreading redoing it so that it's more straight.
are you in socal? and recommended shop to do a glass swap?
this look like a ton of painful work, even with cheerful music in the background i can tell you're exhausted.
I'm not in socal but you can see from this vid, I only know how to do it myself. lol. It was a total pain I tell you and my hands ached after. One thing is for sure, I'm not doing it again. I like to do difficult things at least once.
Can a sewing awl be used?
took me 4 days, n only $20. my fingers hurt but u saved me $1000. also how do you apply the silicon? cuz im noticing water is able to go through
You're welcome! Put more from the inside where it leaks.
Hey how did it hold up over time? I’m also a Bay Area local and might do this myself!
It lasted longer than my car. Mechanical issues kept piling on and I decided to switch to a new car.
I give you a lot of credit, you have a lot of patience. My window is cracked and yellowed, I think I'll try to replace the top myself it's 16 years old. I think I'll stick with the plastic window it's around half the price of a glass one.
1955Cal Thank you! I heads were sore for a week after I did all that hand stitching through that ultra strong canvas. Sounds like you are opting to replace the whole top including the canvas? I guess the need to replace the canvas too depends on how much sun it got over the years.
BeatTheBush The top is 16 years old but in decent shape, I'm thinking about buying a dark blue one since my car is Ocean Blue metallic. Autoberry seems to be the cheapest at $299.00 plus $15.00 shipping. I would like the glass one but I don't want to spend that much. I was quoted a price of $1,800. from a local shop for one with a glass window. The top was around $900. and so was the labor. Good luck with your car, my immobilizer just went out from water damage, so that's $500. to get repaired and I can't drive the car without it.
1955Cal I looked at replacing the whole top also and that process is pretty involved but not as involved as resewing the window. Good luck on replacing it!
BeatTheBush Thanks, I'll let you know how it turns out. I found the best price so far at www.autotopsdirect.com and decided to go with the Sonnenland material. I probably won't get to it for a few weeks, when I'm on vacation.
1955Cal Cool, let me know. That looks like a pretty good deal! What a job this is going to be. The plastic lasts for a good 10 years so I'm wondering if the engine will last that much longer, haha.
Don't think I could do this but awesome
=D
Hello Antony pleasure, I write from Italy Torino, I wanted to compliment you and thank you for your video on the Porsche Boxster very useful. I have to do your own work on the roof replacement vinyl window, you can kindly tell me the measurements of vinyl window that I need to order from Tap Plastics? Thank you for your response and your help, thank you very much!
Not sure if Tap will mail internationally. They sell a kit that gives you a large sheet of vinyl that is much larger than what you need. If you buy it locally, you just need the size of your window plus about 3" on all sides. I would go even 5" to give yourself some room. It gets trimmed off at the end but it helps in the stitching process.
Hello thank you very much for your response and your help! I still wanted to ask you a favor ... if you can tell me how much it costs no hurry "the vinyl + shipping box me in italy + your trouble. I can pay before you through PayPal and then you send me. If you can not thank you too !
antonio cefaly Wait, why would you want to do that? I'm pretty sure they will sell a sheet of UV resistant vinyl somewhere near you. Wait, TAP sends them internationally. Product is $12, shipping is $112 O_O.
Hello I sent a message to Tap Plastics' I did not understand the measures that you gave me ... height + length? Thank you
antonio cefaly There's only one size for that roll, it's big enough to cover the window.
so clever.
Thanks! =D
NIce boxter shorts...
Oh no... did it make an appearance!? =/
Where do you get the vinyl?
check the video description. Its from a store that sells various plastic products based in California.
Good video, although I will do a few things different but that's neither here nor there. To get back to why I'm commenting I had the chance to sit in a boxer was a glass retrofit rear window top. I did not like it the window was smaller ended up structured my rearview Vision considerably. So if you're planning on putting glass back there I highly recommend you sit in one first and see if it meets your approval. Good luck.
Hello excuse me if I tell you now, you're right shipping is too expensive, for sure I can find it near my area, I thank you so much, after work I send you pictures, hello!
See, what I mean. Yeah sure, you can send me pics via the email address on my channel page.
Nope too thin. The one in my video description is 0.04" or close to 1mm thick.
Then just 1mm thick ok?
Kindly can you tell me if this is ok? EBay item number: 222275233211
antonio cefaly I think so. Too thin, it'll crack. Too thick, it wont fold very well.
damn!that's really too hard job!!!! better dont try!!!))) but you have been great!!!! \m/
gil barren Well, if you ever need to replace your vinyl window, you'll know what you're up against before attempting this.
Good for you for doing it but that looks like hell. I need mine done on my 996 and I’m not excited to do what you’ve done here lol
I would not repeat this again either. Great experience tho.
removing the top alone without the frame and having a shop stitched in a new plastic window for you would have saved a LOT of time...my 2 cents
Yeah... probably a lot.
I dont know I would think if thr needle and thread are so much bigger I would deemed a new hole....I don't have the ability to stay with such a tedious task with out monetary pay off I can see....
+Sislertx I guess if you do that, you'll leave a much of previous holes there and it wont look as nice. For mine, other than the slight ripple, it's less apparent now that it got worn in a bit, people cannot tell its hand sewn unless I tell them. It's hard to tell even if you look very closely. I guess the monetary pay off here is about $500-600 for the work because that's the cost it takes to get a shop to do it.
yes amazing your willing to do 20 hours of stitching, plus couple hours for removal and installation. Thinking someone has to make a hand held sewiing machine....
I didn't know until timed myself lol. I might not do this again.
Hellllll nahhh I'm paying someone to do this on mine...
lol ok
This looks painfully long
It does take too long. lol.
You didn't have to stitch that many stitches you could have just used a really good adhesive and it'll stay up that it's not going to go anywhere and just put stitches every say inch and a half 2 in all the way around two two and a half inches apart and if you're not happy with that you can also use Velcro. Then just use a sealer for the velcro and that industrial velcro will stick to just about any damn thing and if it doesn't you could use three of them industrial strength adhesive for interiors.
When you buy a Porsche but cant afford the upkeep. Should've got someone who knows what they're doing to replace the top for a couple of grand.
Since this video, I junked the car a few years later and now drive a Tesla.
Such a rude and meaningless comment. Get a life.
DIY is enjoyable and time saving and he did a great job
Never remove the existing perspex window it holds the correct profile of the window size from underneath place your new window pespex then sew around the perimeter using a industrial sewing machine the cut out the old window to expose the new one all done in 4 hours removal and install, this video is a waste of time and such a poor result
Do you have a vid of this process ?