Advice please...?!

[hrjs]

My rear screen has become detached from the hood. The stitching has gone on a short length - about 7 or 8 inches. What's the best way to fix it? Can I do it myself, or is it a pro's job? At the moment, it is 'duck-taped' together, which is hopeless in this weather...

[WildfireS3]

Pro job. When a pro re stitches it he need the screen as intact as possible to get the correct tension to reduce the waves. Mine went the same way, had it replaced within the week.

[F908 Tim]

Sounds like with a bit of persuasion it should be possible to feed the plastic window back into its original place in the fabric and re-sew it through the original holes.A home repair if only the original thread has broken? Yes,No?

[WildfireS3]

Doubt you could get the pressure to make it watertight by had. Someone posted a repair kit a while ago. I would still reccomend having the screen replaced. Not only will it be water tight you will get a nice new screen.

[UKbob]

Wheres the best place to order a new rear screen? Presumably all S screens the same?

I need a new one too as the stitching on mine is coming away quite badly

[RichardR]

The stiching on mine gave up the ghost (the sun deteriorates the thread apparently ) and I tried repairing it by hand stitching it. It did make it watertight, but it took bloody ages and looked like it'd been done by Stevie Wonder - it's pretty much impossible to get the needle through in the same place each time!

In the end I spoke to my insurance company and found out that it was covered on my windscreen policy (they never did ask the exact nature/cause of the problem though) and ended up paying a £60 excess (and no effect on my NCB) to have it replaced professionally. This gave the added benefit that I could actually see through the back window as well (and anyone following me could read my PH sticker!).

[WildfireS3]

I think you're the only one whos insurance covered this. Neither of my policies cover it.

[RichardR]

WildfireS3 said:

I think you're the only one whos insurance covered this.

I figure if I tell enough other people then someone else might eventually get to benefit from the knowledge!

The only reason I thought to ask my insurance company in the first place was because I read a post on here about someone else doing it!

My insurance wasn't anything special - just a bog standard NU Direct policy - I guess it's just luck of the draw as to whether it's covered, but I figure it's always worth asking, just in case.

[diamondlogger]

I was quoted just last week by A R Pound in Baldock Herts £80-100 they need the car for the whole day.
I think thats a great price.If anyone out knows anywhere in Essex it would easier for me.
Cheers DAVE

[aphelion]

RichardR said:

it took bloody ages and looked like it'd been done by Stevie Wonder - it's pretty much impossible to get the needle through in the same place each time!

... and your fingers end up with more holes in them than the roof/screen edges! We did ours 'two up' (one inside the car and one outside) but we weren't speaking to each other by the end of it ... and the b****y thing has now gone again in another area. We've decided to get the roof re-covered and a a new rear screen

[hrjs]

Right - thanks for your help folks! Looks like I need to try the insurers first, perhaps have a crack myself (destroying my fingers with needle holes in the process) before shelling out on a new screen. Anyone know a good place near Bristol?