Mazda Miata: Rear window replacement

In article <supernews.com>,
"Mike" <att.net> wrote:
 

An auto/boat upholstery shop can sew it back together without removing
the top from the car.

--
Lanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA
'94C
the alignment page:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

The plastic rear window on my 94 has become discoloured, brittle and has
cracked in several places. The top is still in excellent condition, so I
plant to replace only the window. What manufacturer's window have you
installed ? Did you do the installation yourself ? Was it difficult (would
you do it yourself again ) ?

In article <com>,
"John Mallam" <rogers.com> wrote:
 

If your zipper's still in good shape, consider having a boat upholstery
shop sew a new piece of vinyl into your existing rear curtain, without
removing it from the car. Should cost under $100, since you dodge the
big labor.

---
Lanny Chambers
'94C, St. Louis
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

i think that lanny's advice is probably, as usual, is the best solution, but
in the sprit of making an informed decision here's another... someone
regularly sells a plastic windows repair kit on ebay for about $50.
currently it is found under item number 8006868654. it amounts to cutting
out your current window but leaving a small portion of it behind to which
you glue in the new piece. it doesn't sound particularly hard to do but i
suspect it looks a bit sloppy even if done with care and patience. but if
you can't find a shop to do a professional job for you, you now have another
option. i replaced my entire top with one that has a glass window. it is
good looking, but more importantly it is now so much safer to drive. if you
are up to the task of replacing the entire top yourself then if can be done
for under $500 including the glass window (even if you need new cables and
rainrail). let us know how this all works out for you.

"John Mallam" <rogers.com> wrote in message
news:com... 

ps. that seller has a web site where the kit is sold for $10 more than on
ebay... and where instructions can be found. my previous description was
not right about the messy look... it appears that if done with care it will
only look messy from the inside...
http://www.emiata.com/MiataInstructions.htm
ps. this seller also has a wooden cup holder insert for the center console
that i never saw before...

"Christopher Muto" <att.net> wrote in message
news:gsv3f.7850$.. 

On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:08:49 GMT, "Christopher Muto"
<att.net> wrote:
 

If you are a do it yourselfer go to a plastics place and get a piece
of 1/32" lexan (polycarbonate) plastic. Carefully cut out the old
piece, use it as a pattern, cutting about 1 and 1/8" wider all the way
around. Glue it in carefully with a good quality CLEAR contact cement
and everything looks great!
A tip: put a drop cloth in the carpet area in the back before dripping
contact cement on it. And don' use the more common 1/16th inch thick
lexan. It will come loose at the bottom after a few times of lowering
the top.

Has anyone actually installed this replacement window?
I am looking at replacing a decent top just to correct a cracked and
cloudy window in my 94 Miata. This could be the cheapest solution, if
only to hold me thru another year or so until I need a new top.
thanks...


Christopher Muto wrote: 

Has anyone actually installed this replacement window?
I am looking at replacing a decent top just to correct a cracked and
cloudy window in my 94 Miata. This could be the cheapest solution, if
only to hold me thru another year or so until I need a new top.
thanks...


Christopher Muto wrote: