Convertible Top Question

[rwpeders]

I have a '96 convertible with the glass rear window in the top. The seal around the glass on the outside is coming apart on the bottom of the window, so the canvas edge can be pulled back, exposing the bottom of the glass. It doesn't leak, but with bad weather coming, I thought I would get it fixed. The bad news is that the convertible top place says, they cannot reglue it or reseal it, that it is heat-sealed at the factory. They say I have to buy a new top, cost $1100. I don't really want to do this if I can find another way to reseal the top to the glass.

Does anyone have ideas about how I might do this? What type of glue or sealer to use?

 

[regalniz]

i had the same problem with my 94. the window came unsealed and every where i went they said there is no fix. everything they tried was a temporary solution. so i sucked it up. bought a new top with a glass window and all new weather stripping. i had it installed and i couldnt be happier with the results.

 

[gratuities]

Same thing as regalniz with my 94.Bite the bullet.Its worth it.

 

[XS650]

Try Goop by Eclectic products,

Goop Website

available at most hardware and many automotive stores.

The Outdoor, Marine or RV varieties would be good choices. Automotive is good too but I don't think it's UV resistant. Maybe that wouldn't matter in your application.

You will need to clamp it together for 12 to 24 hours while the stuff cures. Use a strip of thin wood or something like that over the fabric to distribute the pressure. Try to keep the Goop just between the fabric and cloth so it doesn't look ugly.

If it doesn't work, you are only out a $5 tube of Goop and some work. If it does, you postpone spending $1100.

 

[RISKMGR]

silicone sealant

It works ! Same proceedure as above.......wait till dry 2 days. Then trim excess off around window with a razor knife.

 

[XS650]

It works ! Same proceedure as above.......wait till dry 2 days. Then trim excess off around window with a razor knife.

If you're as messy as I am, mask the glass and adjacent fabric with masking tape. Remove the masking tape as soon as you are done applying the goop, before the Goop sets.

Off topic but close: Goop and thin, strong fabric like nylon makes good shift boot patches. My shift boots had three tears in them from a PO's hamfisted transmission swap. Goop and panty cloth did a good job of patching them

 

[vette newbie]

Hello, I just had my top changed from an ugly white with plastic back to a black with glass back. Did you have a problem with the gasket leaving black marks on the paint where the back of the top rests on the car? I think I read somewhere that there is something you can put on the gaskets to prevent this. Did you have this problem? If so how did you remedy it?
Thanks

todd

 

[rwpeders]

I have a '96 convertible with the glass rear window in the top. The seal around the glass on the outside is coming apart on the bottom of the window, so the canvas edge can be pulled back, exposing the bottom of the glass. It doesn't leak, but with bad weather coming, I thought I would get it fixed. The bad news is that the convertible top place says, they cannot reglue it or reseal it, that it is heat-sealed at the factory. They say I have to buy a new top, cost $1100. I don't really want to do this if I can find another way to reseal the top to the glass.

Does anyone have ideas about how I might do this? What type of glue or sealer to use?

I never did a followup on how I fixed this, but some may be interested. I have some black weatherstrip glue that I used for weatherstrips and gave that a try. It worked perfectly and is still holding. The black glue does not show with the black top.

 

[rwpeders]

Hello, I just had my top changed from an ugly white with plastic back to a black with glass back. Did you have a problem with the gasket leaving black marks on the paint where the back of the top rests on the car? I think I read somewhere that there is something you can put on the gaskets to prevent this. Did you have this problem? If so how did you remedy it?
Thanks

todd

Ecklers or Mid-America or many other Corvette catelog places have a clear plastic self adhesive strip that you can buy. Ecklers calls it a Vinyl Deck Lid Protector. It is cut to fit your model and is easily removed and reinstalled. It costs $22 plus shipping.

www.ecklers.com

 

[alka1967]

Hello, I just had my top changed from an ugly white with plastic back to a black with glass back. Did you have a problem with the gasket leaving black marks on the paint where the back of the top rests on the car? I think I read somewhere that there is something you can put on the gaskets to prevent this. Did you have this problem? If so how did you remedy it?
Thanks

todd

I am looking into replacing my top with plastic back window to one with glass back window, but I have been told it is a real hassle to do it. Did you have any problems? Was it hard to get the GM adapter kit? The window they want to put in folds when the top is down, does yours? Also, if you don't mind, giving me a ballpark figure of what it should cost. Thanks.

 

[invinceablevett]

alka1967.............I wanted to do the upgrade to a glass rear window but the upholster who installed my top told me to install the original plastic window.
His reasoning was that the glass-window top would cost more plus the added cost of the "GM modification kit" isn't really worth it.I had to replace my top because of the window being cooked by the weather.Mt top was in decent shape but eventually it would have had to be replaced so he explained that even though my window would last another 13 years(like the original one did) the top will not last much longer to justify the added expenses
It made enough sense to me that I installed the plastic-windowed top and saved a few bucks.
by the way..........no one around here had a quick fix for changing just the window.......trust me I looked everywhere !!!!!!.........just my 2 cents.

 

[XLR8]

I have a '96 convertible with the glass rear window in the top. The seal around the glass on the outside is coming apart on the bottom of the window, so the canvas edge can be pulled back, exposing the bottom of the glass. It doesn't leak, but with bad weather coming, I thought I would get it fixed. The bad news is that the convertible top place says, they cannot reglue it or reseal it, that it is heat-sealed at the factory. They say I have to buy a new top, cost $1100. I don't really want to do this if I can find another way to reseal the top to the glass.

Does anyone have ideas about how I might do this? What type of glue or sealer to use?

When the glass started to seperate from the cloth on my '94, I took it to a top man and he told me that the piece of equipment to heatseal the window when it starts to break loose was big $$$ so he didn't have one. But he did suggest Superglue would hold just as well until I was ready to replace the entire top. And he was right. Bought a tube and went back to his shop. He and I worked on it, and it was still holding when I replaced the top about 18 months later.

I'm sure some folks around here would cringe at the thought of putting Superglue on a Corvette but it sure worked for me and still looked good.

- JAG

 

[invinceablevett]

When the glass started to seperate from the cloth on my '94, I took it to a top man and he told me that the piece of equipment to heatseal the window when it starts to break loose was big $$$ so he didn't have one. But he did suggest Superglue would hold just as well until I was ready to replace the entire top. And he was right. Bought a tube and went back to his shop. He and I worked on it, and it was still holding when I replaced the top about 18 months later.

I'm sure some folks around here would cringe at the thought of putting Superglue on a Corvette but it sure worked for me and still looked good.



- JAG

I'm glad it worked out for you.My guess is that the plastic window has a different setup for holding the window.I on the other hand had to replace the window because it was faded so much that I couldn't see throught it.

 

[XLR8]

I'm glad it worked out for you.My guess is that the plastic window has a different setup for holding the window.I on the other hand had to replace the window because it was faded so much that I couldn't see throught it.

I don't know that it would work at all on the plastic window top - not familiar with the setup as you say. But I do know it works on the glass window. I was glad when they went to the glass window... IMO is much better.

 

[alka1967]

alka1967.............I wanted to do the upgrade to a glass rear window but the upholster who installed my top told me to install the original plastic window.
His reasoning was that the glass-window top would cost more plus the added cost of the "GM modification kit" isn't really worth it.I had to replace my top because of the window being cooked by the weather.Mt top was in decent shape but eventually it would have had to be replaced so he explained that even though my window would last another 13 years(like the original one did) the top will not last much longer to justify the added expenses
It made enough sense to me that I installed the plastic-windowed top and saved a few bucks.
by the way..........no one around here had a quick fix for changing just the window.......trust me I looked everywhere !!!!!!.........just my 2 cents.

The uphoslter told me to go with the plastic too because it would probably last as long as the top since I only drive the car on weekends. He quoted me $600 to replace only the plastic which is mainly labor because the top has to be removed to replace the plastic and then, of course, re-installed. He said a completely new top would be around $1200. I am trying to decide if it's worth the extra $600 since the present top is in good shape. I still would like a glass window, but the one they install folds in half when down and has a black fabric hinge across the middle which I am not sure I would like. Thanks for your input!

 

[XLR8]

The uphoslter told me to go with the plastic too because it would probably last as long as the top since I only drive the car on weekends. He quoted me $600 to replace only the plastic which is mainly labor because the top has to be removed to replace the plastic and then, of course, re-installed. He said a completely new top would be around $1200. I am trying to decide if it's worth the extra $600 since the present top is in good shape. I still would like a glass window, but the one they install folds in half when down and has a black fabric hinge across the middle which I am not sure I would like. Thanks for your input!

I don't think I'd like the black hinge you spoke of in the middle of the window... but it's hard to say without viewing it firsthand. The $1200 estimate sounds about right. I think that's in the ballpark of what I paid to replace the top (including Glass Window) on my '94.

If your heart is set on a glass window top, but your present top is in "good" condition, maybe you should go for the extra $600 and then sell your present top on eBay. Good luck whatever you decide.

- JAG

 

[alka1967]

I don't think I'd like the black hinge you spoke of in the middle of the window... but it's hard to say without viewing it firsthand. The $1200 estimate sounds about right. I think that's in the ballpark of what I paid to replace the top (including Glass Window) on my '94.

If your heart is set on a glass window top, but your present top is in "good" condition, maybe you should go for the extra $600 and then sell your present top on eBay. Good luck whatever you decide.

- JAG

Thanks for the pricing info. The window of my present top is very cloudy, so I don't think I'd get much on eBay for it.

Sounds like the quotes I've gotten are in the right ballpark. I may go with the plastic window replacement since I've seen many cars on the road with plastic and they look fine. I hardly use the top so the plastic should last for a while (the car also has a removable hardtop). Apparently, it's hard to find an upholster that will replace just the window and there is a good one here that will do it.