D.I.Y. Hood Fitting, Has anyone had success?

[ivesy]

Hello All, just wandering if anyone has any advice re. fitting a replacement hood yourself.

I'm considering buying a hood from the states and attempting to fit it but I am a bit worried about screwing it up. I'm pretty good at the dirty work but not too sure about all this glueing business,

PLEASE ADVISE!

[Topblag]

I think the response above is about fitting a new hood with frame, the question is about fitting a hood on an existing frame.

I've sewn in rear windows before but wouldn't tackle the entire hood, get yourself to a local trimmer and they'll probably be wanting a few hundred quid for the job.

[Baurluvva]

I have undertaken a hood swap on a baur - only the rear hood but it wasn't such a big job really. You just need to get some good strong glue and check how it was glued to each part (do one side exactly as it was on the old hood then the other, then trial fit the front bar and see how tight you want it.

[sharpster73]

Hi all, i had some experience with some convertibles in the past and i came to realise that fitting a hood is somewhat of an art and its best left to trimmers. Carhood Wherahouse in Chessington is who i used for my last two covertibles and i can't praise them enough. They use US made hoods as well and at least you get waranty for the hood and the fitting. It might be worth checking it out.

Good luck

[ivesy]

Yes I have had a price from the Chessington guys but it is £600 without fitting new tension straps or seals, seems a bit steep?

[sharpster73]

The things to remember buying second hand is this: mohair material goes britle after 12-14 years, so unless the hood is 1-2 years old i wouldn't bother; refitting a second hand hood has you in the same predicament as fitting an US model (not easy to do right and it will sagg in the corners or the window will not be tight when the hood is up) and lastly, you will not have that nice finish that a new hood brings to a car (i should know ).

bottom line is this, it all depends on what kind of finish do you want (cheap hood also means cheap look).
This is just my opinion so take it as such.
Regards

[mrLEE30]

a good idea on what is onvolved here

http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/proj ... 17,00.html

i bought my roof from BAS International based in Wales about six years ago, very good price and good quality (original Sonneland material) (goggle BAS international to find them)

I also toyed with fitting myself but in the end went to a local upholsterers, i watched they guys fit it and to be honest i could have done it myself but would have likely screwed it up (and i am quite handy on this type of thing), if i was to watch them do it a few more times i would have a go,

but for the first time with no experience...i advise not to as a cheap poorly fitted roof will knock more than 500 quid of the price of your car, so its money unwisely saved if you get my drift.