e36 convertible roof
Discussion
Had a bit of an accident whilst cleaning my roof and the stitching at the top of my plastic rear screen has split.
It seems that there should be a "sandwich" where, in profile, the stitch goes through canvas, window, and canvas again.
I was considering finding some sort of glue as I don't fancy the expense involved in removing the roof and restitching.
However, research has shown that the e36 has a "zip in" window that can be replaced diy in a couple of hours for less than 100 quid. I like this idea as my rear screen is a bit scratched and creased. However, I can't see how this would work with the stitching on my car. As far as I know the car doesn't have an aftermarket roof,it certainly looks 16 years old! If it makes any difference, my car is a very late e36, 99 on a V.
Are there any pointers to a non original roof? I have seen photos with a double seam at the rear of the roof above the window, but mine is only single.
What are my options?
Will post pics later.
It seems that there should be a "sandwich" where, in profile, the stitch goes through canvas, window, and canvas again.
I was considering finding some sort of glue as I don't fancy the expense involved in removing the roof and restitching.
However, research has shown that the e36 has a "zip in" window that can be replaced diy in a couple of hours for less than 100 quid. I like this idea as my rear screen is a bit scratched and creased. However, I can't see how this would work with the stitching on my car. As far as I know the car doesn't have an aftermarket roof,it certainly looks 16 years old! If it makes any difference, my car is a very late e36, 99 on a V.
Are there any pointers to a non original roof? I have seen photos with a double seam at the rear of the roof above the window, but mine is only single.
What are my options?
Will post pics later.
Sorry NCoT, I saw your post on the other thread whilst out and about the other day and forgot to reply to you.
I did replace my rear screen myself in the end with some assistance from BigAl - what a pain in the arse! The screen, not BigAl (although he has his moments...
). From your picture I can't actually work out what you've done...
Here's a pic of the way the screen fits:
B & C pics are from the inside of the car.
It looks like you've actually managed to split the canvas away from the upper area of the screen, and that the screen itself is still zipped in?
I did replace my rear screen myself in the end with some assistance from BigAl - what a pain in the arse! The screen, not BigAl (although he has his moments...
). From your picture I can't actually work out what you've done...Here's a pic of the way the screen fits:
B & C pics are from the inside of the car.
It looks like you've actually managed to split the canvas away from the upper area of the screen, and that the screen itself is still zipped in?
Thanks for the response!
It's tricky to see in my photo, but there is no zip in the pic above, the window appears to be stitched directly to the fabric - look just to the left of my hand and you can see the difference in colour between looking directly at the white gaffer tape backing and looking at it through the screen.. Looking at your pic it seems the zip is stitched to the hood, which zips in to that.
Does that mean I have an aftermarket roof? Anyway of telling?
Does that mean
It's tricky to see in my photo, but there is no zip in the pic above, the window appears to be stitched directly to the fabric - look just to the left of my hand and you can see the difference in colour between looking directly at the white gaffer tape backing and looking at it through the screen.. Looking at your pic it seems the zip is stitched to the hood, which zips in to that.
Does that mean I have an aftermarket roof? Anyway of telling?
Does that mean
I'm not aware of any versions with 'stitched-in' screens so it's possible yours is aftermarket or the whole roof has been replaced at some point with a non-standard roof. If it's pretty much watertight and you can live with the screen as it is, I would glue it back together.and leave it be.
That's what I'm thinking. Will ask my local trimmer tomorrow and if they can't do it without removing the roof (or can remove the roof & fix for a reasonable amount) I will use some 3M VHB tape and some glue/sealant.
The roof is not perfect but is (was?) leak free and I have just spent 3 days and about £50+ cleaning, restoring, and reproofing it
Weird though - it is a 99 car, it's been in the family for at least 5 years and the roof has always looked commensurate to the car's age, so if it was replaced it was early in the car's life. Would seem strange to use a cheap knock-off hood on what then would have been a pretty valuable car...
The roof is not perfect but is (was?) leak free and I have just spent 3 days and about £50+ cleaning, restoring, and reproofing it
Weird though - it is a 99 car, it's been in the family for at least 5 years and the roof has always looked commensurate to the car's age, so if it was replaced it was early in the car's life. Would seem strange to use a cheap knock-off hood on what then would have been a pretty valuable car...
Funk said:
Mine's a 98 so yours should be the same as mine.
Out of interest, how did you do it?
Was cleaning the roof (as per instructions!) with a brush to shift mould, and as I did above the window the stitching just went - I suppose the scrubbing weakened the stitching. Wish I'd not bothered now Out of interest, how did you do it?
Any suggestions on adhesive to use? I'm thinking of some kind of marine application would be best.
Here are some better pics:
Ouch; actually that looks a little more severe from those pics. Definitely not a standard screen/roof join... I'm not sure glue will hold that if you ever try to put the roof down? It doesn't look like it would be particularly strong even when it's not f
ked... If you ever need to replace the rear screen in future (and you might do - mine split after many years) then it'll be a pain in the backside.
Worth trying to find a replacement roof off a breaking one perhaps?
Edit: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-3-Series-Convert...
Replacement screen is about £60, here's the one I bought: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131197053511?_trksid=p20...
He took an offer at £65 so try your luck if you go for it!
ked... If you ever need to replace the rear screen in future (and you might do - mine split after many years) then it'll be a pain in the backside.Worth trying to find a replacement roof off a breaking one perhaps?
Edit: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-3-Series-Convert...
Replacement screen is about £60, here's the one I bought: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131197053511?_trksid=p20...
He took an offer at £65 so try your luck if you go for it!
Edited by Funk on Sunday 12th April 21:01
Thanks funk. Not what I wanted to hear though!
I think if it can't be replaced or reglued I will get somebody to restitch my window, even if it means the roof coming off. The roof's in reasonable shape, as good as any off a breaker. Just cross with myself that it is a problem of my own making
I think if it can't be replaced or reglued I will get somebody to restitch my window, even if it means the roof coming off. The roof's in reasonable shape, as good as any off a breaker. Just cross with myself that it is a problem of my own making
I know it's possibly not you want to hear as well....but...re-stitching it might weaken the screen plastic if the stitches aren't in exactly the same place on the screen. It's definitely an unusual way of putting it together.
I can only imagine the volley of swearwords that must have ensued when you felt the stitching go..
I can only imagine the volley of swearwords that must have ensued when you felt the stitching go..
Yes, there was a cooling of the atmosphere...
Just been to my local trimmers - it is apparently an aftermarket roof. £400+ to remove the roof, remove from frame, restitch and reattach. New roof is £650. He did say it could be handstitched but said it would look rubbish and didn't seem at all keen on doing it.
So - forget the middle option, there is no point is spending hundreds to have the same old roof with the slightly misted rear window. At the same time, spending more than £600 on a car worth £1500-2000 on a good day that has a perfectly good non leaking roof (that has just bloody been cleaned, restored, and reproofed!!) seems excessive, especially as I was thinking of selling up this summer.
How bad could restitching in situ look if done by a trimmer? Would something like 3M VHB tape and some marine sealant do the job? Found this website that would suggest it would be OK:
http://www.wikihow.com/Reattach-Rear-Window-Glass-...
Just been to my local trimmers - it is apparently an aftermarket roof. £400+ to remove the roof, remove from frame, restitch and reattach. New roof is £650. He did say it could be handstitched but said it would look rubbish and didn't seem at all keen on doing it.
So - forget the middle option, there is no point is spending hundreds to have the same old roof with the slightly misted rear window. At the same time, spending more than £600 on a car worth £1500-2000 on a good day that has a perfectly good non leaking roof (that has just bloody been cleaned, restored, and reproofed!!) seems excessive, especially as I was thinking of selling up this summer.
How bad could restitching in situ look if done by a trimmer? Would something like 3M VHB tape and some marine sealant do the job? Found this website that would suggest it would be OK:
http://www.wikihow.com/Reattach-Rear-Window-Glass-...
Hmm. Given the cost I'd say you have nothing to lose by trying to tape-and-seal it, see how it goes.
The thing to bear in mind is that whilst the car's worth £1500-2000, it's not without a sealed, waterproof and working roof - I'd be pulling your pants down as a buyer if I were looking at it.
If the worst comes to the worst, that breaking roof is £100, new rear screen £65 so you could be back up and running for sub-£200 if you're confident enough to fit it yourself. What about asking the local trimmer whether they could sew a zip in instead so that it works as per factory spec? Then if you ever need to change the screen again for any reason you'll be saving a huge amount of hassle?
The thing to bear in mind is that whilst the car's worth £1500-2000, it's not without a sealed, waterproof and working roof - I'd be pulling your pants down as a buyer if I were looking at it.
If the worst comes to the worst, that breaking roof is £100, new rear screen £65 so you could be back up and running for sub-£200 if you're confident enough to fit it yourself. What about asking the local trimmer whether they could sew a zip in instead so that it works as per factory spec? Then if you ever need to change the screen again for any reason you'll be saving a huge amount of hassle?
The guy at the trimmer said the stitching was rotten. I think me scrubbing at it with a stiff brush has finished it off. It looks ok at the sides and bottom. Just gaffered it up temporarily and ordered some 12mm VHB tape. I am hoping if I stick it together slightly slack then there won't be any much lateral force on it and it will hold together. We'll see.
Failing that, hopefully I can find some boat shop who will do the stitching.
Lesson to be learned - never clean your car
Failing that, hopefully I can find some boat shop who will do the stitching.
Lesson to be learned - never clean your car
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