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Stitching coming undone by window

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Old Mar 10, 2004 | 08:58 AM
  #1  
JustinDubose's Avatar
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Car: `92 Camaro RS
Engine: v8 305
Stitching coming undone by window

On my rear window a small area of stitching came undone about a week ago, no bigger than two inches. Being the procrastinator I am, i figured I would just take care of it later. However, yesterday on my home, while looking in my rearview mirror, I saw the hole become about a foot bigger, stretching almost across the entire topside of my back window. From what I can tell its just stitching that has come undone.

What can I do, or what kind of shop should I take it to to get repaired, or can it even be repaired and I will have to buy a new top?
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Old Mar 11, 2004 | 09:25 AM
  #2  
JustinDubose's Avatar
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Car: `92 Camaro RS
Engine: v8 305
Well, got my own question answered, but have some others to. The upholstry shop I went to said he would replace my plastic window and sew in the new one into the same top. Said would be done in about 2 days and cost around 350.00.

Is 350 to much? I was checking out the topsonline.com selection and the tops their are less than 350 (some more, like the glass ones) Which brings up another question. Should I replace my entie top with a glass window?
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Old Mar 11, 2004 | 10:42 AM
  #3  
Widowmaker's Avatar
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Clinton,MS
Car: 1991 Bird
Engine: sLO3
Transmission: 700R4
I had the same problem, it only gets worse. The threads are rotten and probably the rest of the top is soon to follow. I replaced mine myself and got the top from topsonline.com

Good luck
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Old Mar 11, 2004 | 01:07 PM
  #4  
JustinDubose's Avatar
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Car: `92 Camaro RS
Engine: v8 305
Whats the difference between pinpoint and stayfast?
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Old Mar 11, 2004 | 02:19 PM
  #5  
Widowmaker's Avatar
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From: Clinton,MS
Car: 1991 Bird
Engine: sLO3
Transmission: 700R4
pinpoint is vinyl=crap

Stayfast is the original style canvas. Very sharp. I got the plastic window but you may want to spring for the glass. However, it is smaller and will limit your rearward visibility even more than the plastic. It is definitely nice looking though.
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Old Mar 12, 2004 | 07:27 AM
  #6  
Speedgraphic's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 595
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From: Albany GA
Car: '90 RS Vert
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700-R4
This is probably not a permanent fix but worth looking at - Check out this thread

I had the same problem when I bought my vert. The window was coming out while the rest of the top looked good. Unfortunatly to sew the window back in the top had to be removed. If you are going to pay for the labor of top removal and installation you are better off just getting a new top put on.

I read the thread above and when I eventually have the problem again, hopefully not any time soon, I will most likely give it a try.

If you do replace the top GET STAYFAST. Pool liners belong in swimming pools not on convertibles...

Good Luck!
Speedy
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 01:22 PM
  #7  
Matthew91-Z28's Avatar
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,333
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From: Texas
Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 with Eaton posi
Yes...agree with above. I kept mine rigged for over a year by drilling tiny holes in the bottom of the plastic window along the line the thread sewn in and just popped in a few rivets. One entire corner came loose on mine. All scufffed and brown from UV rays. *** that thing was ugly!!!! Had to wipe off the tonneau cover every time it rained.


Get the new top!
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Old Apr 12, 2004 | 06:38 PM
  #8  
92Z-666's Avatar
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From: Northeastern MD
Car: 92Z
Engine: 6.6
Transmission: 6
Mine cama apart too. I used something called FIRELINE, its fishing line that is super strong. UV hasn't bothered it in a year. It took me about half a week of doing it stitch by stitch, an hour a night. Yes I counted the stitches... no I can't remember how many. it was alot. you can see I messed up at the left side.. missed 2 holes somehow and it skewed the plastic window (BTW, anyone know who sells that top?? it came with my car used)

http://www.dzy.org/92z28/92rearwindow.jpg

Bottom line, $350 is alot for just the window. you could have done it, and yes, the rest of the thread will likely rot soon. Mine is, anyway. Luckily I'm not into appearance.... it hasn't blown off yet
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Old Apr 13, 2004 | 02:25 PM
  #9  
dual_88s's Avatar
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From: In my own little world - but they know me well in here
Car: 88 Sport convertible
Engine: 305TBI
Transmission: AUTO
Axle/Gears: 3.42 rear end
My window is brown and cloudy and to the point that I cannot see out of it at all...

Two different upholstery shops quoted me 350 to replace the window..most of it labor to pull the top and replce it.

Well, for 399 I bought the glass window top from topsonline. I have an appointment thursday to get it replaced for 240....

My vinyl window appears to be smaller than the window on my son's IROC (same year) ....the glass appears to be about the same size as what i currently have....BUT since I can't see out of what i have now at ALL, even a smaller than original window will be better than what i have

Last edited by dual_88s; Apr 13, 2004 at 02:36 PM.
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