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MG MGF Technical - Your experience with Soft Top Windows?

Despite all the advice on the board about cleaning the rear windscreen (I've tried AG Fast Glass, AG Super Resin Polish, Greygate, the BMW stuff, Mer and copper polish!) the brownish blobs have won. A year after puzzling Dieter with the meaning of "splodges", the lichen or stain has spread to may rearward vision impossible

As the nights draw in a replacement is required and Soft Top Windows seems the way to go. A few questions first about your actual experiences fitting the replacement:

1) Someone posted the comment that the STW replacement window was of better, thicker and yet more flexible stuff. I thought that they reconditioned windows so is the "new" one actually better or just clear?

2) MGR said that the screen is stitched and riveted at the bottom, but the instructions from STW only talk about riveting. My car is an early Mark I, in case that makes a difference and I can check tonight, but does anyone know for certain?

3) The zip tooth size was changed (when the hood design was changed?) - did that cause anyone a problem? I'll ask STW, anyway.

4) A number of posters said that they were going to fit the window themselves...anyone do so and have any tips?

Thanks all

Chaz

C Golvala

Some answers from talking to STW. I was wrong about the reconditioning, they fit new (better, thicker, more flexible) plastic to your existing surround. Zip compatability not a problem since it is your zip that is used. New plastic sewn in with double stitching to existing holes (better than original and no returns according to STW). So much for nos 1) and 3).

Cheers

Chaz
C Golvala

and 2). the 'window' is stiched in at the bottom, but you send that whole piece to STW.
Will Munns

Thanks Will, that now makes sense. So the hood fabric at the bottom of the screen is just attached to the hood frame by the rivets. Does that leave a gap at both ends of the bottom bit of fabric? May be that gap is already there or overlaps with the sides of the hood - I'll look when I get home.

How did you home-riveters get on?

C
C Golvala

Chaz

We all have different priorities but I would rather pay the £50 fitting charge for a drive in/drive out service @ STW site.

Fitting a window doesn't look that difficult and I'm sure many have already done it but ...
John Ponting

Well, telephone conversations have overtaken the thread and I'm booked into Soft Top Windows on Saturday. I figured that after buying a rivet-gun, probably finding I needed a different drill bit and paying myself for the time it would take (at £300 per hour, of course) another £50 to STW to fit it would be a good move. Any excuse for a drive up the A21 with the top down on what should be the last sunny day for a few.

Still curious as to how the DIYers got on...

Chaz
C Golvala

This thread was discussed between 03/09/2003 and 05/09/2003

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