Cabrio rear screen tear

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alexdejonghe
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Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:06 pm

Alright fellas,

Just a quickie, have any of you repaired (replaced) a torn rear screen on a non-zippy convertible soft-top with a kit like this (below) that allows you to stitch-in a zipper and new plastic sheeting?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIY-REPAIR-Z ... 1438.l2649

Any good/bad experiences to report?

Whilst I think the ad looks pants and I don't like buying generic rubbish for the E30, this is cheap and if it'd work as a short-term measure (in mid-winter) it might be worth a pop in addition to buying a hardtop off Z3I.

Cheers

Alex
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martauto
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Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:05 pm

Short term it would be really cheap and do a job. 0 .75 mm is very thin and may not stand up to a very hard winter but how long do you need it for ???
I replaced my Baur screen three years ago with 1.25 mm and should have gone more but it`s still there.
I glued mine in with a marine two pack which will never come out and water proof.

Mart. :cool:
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
Topblag
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Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:36 pm

I've sewn one in before, horrible job and hard to get the stitching to look good.
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
alexdejonghe
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Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:09 pm

Thanks lads, possibly worth a shot as a short-term (until the summer) fix then, even if attached with glue, though worried this'd make it brittle & breakable whenever the roof gets folded down. Mart have you able to collapse the roof easily with the screen you fitted? Does yours have one of these zippers? And did you cut your screen to fit or purchase it made to measure?
Topblag
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Tue Jan 08, 2019 8:36 pm

Don’t forget that the material increases with heat, so if it’s hot enough to put the roof down, the window will be warm and plyable.
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
alexdejonghe
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Posts: 1146
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2010 11:00 pm
Location: North Wales

Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:12 pm

Topblag wrote:
Tue Jan 08, 2019 8:36 pm
Don’t forget that the material increases with heat, so if it’s hot enough to put the roof down, the window will be warm and plyable.
Ah hadn't thought about that, ta. I guess a little slack needs to be incorporated then when fitting the screen in winter temps.
Topblag
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Wed Jan 09, 2019 12:09 am

I made the mistake of cutting it indoors, where it was warm and as the day grew colder, it was harder to fit and sew outside - small margins.
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
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martauto
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Wed Jan 09, 2019 3:22 pm

alexdejonghe wrote:
Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:09 pm
Mart have you able to collapse the roof easily with the screen you fitted? Does yours have one of these zippers? And did you cut your screen to fit or purchase it made to measure?
I bought the plastic sheet from e-bay and cut it with a pair of scisorrs .
I did all of this in the kitchen in early april with the french doors open and it was bloody cold.lol.
I brought the rear section of the roof into the kitchen and glued it in place but, keep the bloody doors open :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
This was marine adhesive for gluing "oarlocks" to rubber crafts so flexes really well and folds down in any temperature.
It was only a temp fix but has been there for nearly three years now.

Mart. :cool:
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
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