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MG MGB Technical - MGB SOFTTOP WINDOW TORN

Can anyone advise hoe to repair or replace side windown in MGb softtop? I am running out of ideas.

Si

S D Brown

If as I asssume, you are talking about the clear plastic quarter window that is part of the top then you have to ask yourself if your top is worth replaceing one of the windows and leaveing the other yellow ones [next to the new one they will look yellow] in place? Another consideration is how will the replacement window be held in place as the originals are heat sealed in place and the new one most likely will be stitched.By now you are thinking no problem I'll have all the windows replaced, good thought, ask to see an example of his/her[your chosen top tech] work and get a nail down price compare it to a self installed top,
[this you can do] Go have a beer or two while you decide which is the best deal. Let us know what you do and how it turns out. RIC
PS in ansewer to your original question, any good trim shop will get you started.
RIC LLOYD

I had new windows sewn in by a trimmer once. It was reasonably priced and they lasted for several years until I rplaced the complete hood.(He was based in Croydon) However with the price of the lowest spec new hoods, (see the "trade" hood at Don) it does make you wonder if just putting an expendable replacement on is the right way to go.
Stan Best

Another thought - there are varying qualities of plastic in the hood windows. I bought a new hood when I rebuilt 4 years ago, and within 2 years the windows had deteriorated (kept the hood down too long).
Then my upholsterer showed me the different qualities before he repaired the hood - the windows are now much more transparent than those in the replacement hood (and about 50% thicker). It was also much cheaper than a new hood.

David
David Overington

Si. You no have the information available, all of it correct from the writer's perspective.

There is no way to replace the windows in the manner that the top was originally made--the plastic heat sealed to the vinyl.

The windows can be cut out and a new piece of clear plastic sewn into the opening. This will not be quite so water proof as the heat seal process, but is fairly water proof. It is, also, somewhat expensive and replacing only one window of an older top can point out show shabby the others now look due to aging.

So, the age and general condition of your current top, along with the price the upholsterer wants to do the job are the factors that you may wish to consider when making your decision.

As to the "cheap tops", I do not recommend them. Living in Arizona, the tops are seldom used on my cars. (In fact, I only bothered to install a top of one of the two roadsters. The second has no frame to allow a little more cargo room. But, these cars are my daily drivers.) Hence, I made the mistake of having a cheap top installed. Spends most of its time folded behind the front seats, under the tonneau cover, while being baked in the deadly sun. (109 deg F. yesterday--what fun.) Inexpensive tops are made of less expensive materials by people being paid less money to assemble them. They do not hold up as well as the slightly more expensive tops which are both better made (easier to install) and use better quality components (last longer).

Between all of us, I hope you have sufficient information to allow you to decide what you want to do with your car.

Les
Les Bengtson

A number of years ago with my '71, I did as Stan did: Had a new rear window sewn in where the torn one had been. (That's the same time I learned to NOT lock a convertible; stolen tunes are cheaper than a cut top AND stolen tunes.) The quality wasn't bad at all, really.

Rick Stevens

A longtime ago after replacing my top with a new one, somebody tied to breakin my 74B by cutting a quarter window with a sharp knife. The got in but stole nothing due to nothing there to steal. I tried plastic clear tape for a while but it didn,t stay clear enuf. Finally I used adrill to make 1/16" holes along each side of the cut and then used grasstrimmer line to sew the window back together. This did the job very well and after 20 years its still fine. Since I live in San Diego rain is no problem (It does leak) and I do not ever drive it in the rain anyway. Also most if the time the top is stowed away anyway. Thats why the top has lasted so long. It may not look great but it does work very well here. I think it was a Robbins Top. Bob
Bob Ekstrand

Interesting feedback, I did wonder about the low cost tops, maybe just buy one and change after 2 or 3 years but went for a better quality as it did not seem you could get much service at the price. Seems this was right. Also when I had the windows sewn in I went for a better quality clear plastic delta was about £20 and the were still fine when the rest of the hood reached a point where a case could be made for replacing it. I took the attached in the car park at a local car club Christmas dinner in 2006, the cross of St George is a mystery, I don't think I owned one then but it does seem to be on the B, of course I am 100% entitled to fly it if it is on my car.

Stan Best

I have sewn new windows in my own tops, the most recent having lasted 3 years so far. I thought the top itself would only last a year or so, but it's still hanging in there.

If the window is heat welded, I recommend sewing the new window in, then cutting out the old to keep align ment as close as possible. The windows on my most recent one mentioned above were sewn in, so the job looks much more original because the old material could be removed completely. Just a few needle holes that aren't very noticeable. The clear plastic I used was not as thick as the original, but hasn't caused me any grief. I did use glue along with the stitching, but I don't think it would leak much if at all if you just sewed the windows in.

You probably already have installed a new top, just thought I'd add my dos pesos.
Tom

At one time I got a place to sew in new plastic. It look terrible. All creased and crinkled
You can get a top made without corner windows and a zip down back window for around 150 pounds. Like the RV8.
About three years ago I had mine made by midland sports and classics. It's a daily driver and still looks as new, except the front inside (where it folds back and up) has faded a bit from the sun. My only complaint is that they made it a quarter inch shorter on one side. http://www.midlandsportsandclassics.co.uk/

The absence of the corner windows means that the top folds back very easily without all that unclipping and getting out of the car.
Prestige have a very good reputation. But they charge more.

http://www.prestigeautotrim.com/usa/images/mgb/mgb_cabriolet/mh1075r.jpg
My next one is going to be one of these,(if the current one ever wears out) but without the headlining to save some money.

I don't much like the look of their glass version
http://www.prestigeautotrim.com/usa/usa/mg_home.htm
too small I think.
Peter

This thread was discussed between 19/05/2008 and 23/05/2008

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