I'm posting this for my sister. She has a 02 Boxster and the rear window ripped while she was lowering the top.

The window was getting old and discolored, so no big deal. Who do you all recommend in Nor Cal to change out the rear vinyl window?

If it matters an East Bay shop would be much preferred.

Thanks in advance.

 

Mt View upholstery (650) 964-8096
or
Palo Alto upholstery (650) 326-6414

They will cut out the rest of the torn window and sew in a new (thicker and better) window, double (instead of single) stich it in.

 

Thanks Brian, appreciate it.

Cheers.

 

Drop the plastic.

Have them install a Robbins Top w/ glass window for $300 more.

http://www.topsonline.com/index.php?CarmodelID=887

 

Plus labor to replace the top
or
go just replace the plastic and save more than $300

 

I have heard some of those glass windows will rip out due to the stress it puts on the top when opening and closing.

It would be nice to have a defroster...

 

I believe the issue was taken care of.

Doesn't hurt to make some phones calls though.

 

when i had that problem with my 2001 Boxster S, i was told with replacing just the crap-*** plastic window, the stitching would not line up and it would look like crap. i ended up going with an entire new top from Porsche with plastic window. i had considered going with an aftermarket top with glass but didn't want to put something on the car that was different from what Porsche had put on the car originally. i learned the hard way NOT to put the top down when the temps were cold as it would crack the plastic window.

 

Hi,

Something you may or may not care about, that’s the material. I’ve got the same problem, did some research. There’s a couple new options with window. One is supposedly has some marvelous coating…much better than stock vinyl (http://strataglass.com/ ). There is another material that isn’t even vinyl made by BEYER I believe if you google “convertible window” you’ll find on about the 3rd page. Supposed to be the cat’s meow.

Problem I found was that they are available only in fairly large chunks. It’d take some hunting to find them in usable sizes,

Tip from my reupholster buddy, Vinyl comes in a couple grades, it’s all double laminated. There’s German Japanese and US vinyl. Germans a bit better but hard to find. Japanese only heard off it, probably a little better quality.

The short story though is vinyl is vinyl, all last about 3 yrs, top is good for about 7 yrs.. If your top is on it’s second window, by the time the vinyl’s shot, you roof ain’t going to be far behind.

Regards, PK

 

Hi,

Something you may or may not care about, that’s the material. I’ve got the same problem, did some research. There’s a couple new options with window. One is supposedly has some marvelous coating…much better than stock vinyl (http://strataglass.com/ ). There is another material that isn’t even vinyl made by BEYER I believe if you google “convertible window� you’ll find on about the 3rd page. Supposed to be the cat’s meow.

Problem I found was that they are available only in fairly large chunks. It’d take some hunting to find them in usable sizes,

Tip from my reupholster buddy, Vinyl comes in a couple grades, it’s all double laminated. There’s German Japanese and US vinyl. Germans a bit better but hard to find. Japanese only heard off it, probably a little better quality.

The short story though is vinyl is vinyl, all last about 3 yrs, top is good for about 7 yrs.. If your top is on it’s second window, by the time the vinyl’s shot, you roof ain’t going to be far behind.

Regards, PK

 

@PK2,

Would I still have to 'chop' the top with that Strataglass stuff?

 

Has anyone done the top install themselves, using the replacement from topsonLine.com or any other top?

I've done interior work, just wondering how difficult it might be to replace the top itself, and the headliner.

 

No not really,

As best I can tell it's just a good quality vinyl with a extra coating on it that presumably makes it more durable. Some guy on ebay sells it with a "Boxster windows kit" (I wouldn’t buy it, entails thousands of tough hand stitches) Might PM him and buy a Boxster size chunk of the stuff and let someone else install it though.

Good luck.

I’m doing a expedited DIY window replacement experiment. If it goes well Ill post it. So far, look'n petty good.

 

Well even though the "glass" is ahead of the vinyl my Sis is going with the vinyl.

Main reason less blind spot.

Thanks to all for your opinions.

 

I agree. Besides those aftermarket glass tops look weird, much smaller view, Reminds me of a little “concerto” window on a old Thunderbird.

Besides, by the time that new vinyl window is shot, your canvas will be to.

Good Luck.

P.S. My expidited buget vinyle replacement worked out pretty good.