Best glue for gluing rear screen?

[JonRB]

Hi folks

The stitching is going on the rear screen of my Chimaera and the rear window is coming away. It is only an inch or so, so I'm thinking of gluing it is an interim fix.

Does anyone have any recommendations for which glue to use? Araldite contact adhesive or one of the two-part epoxy resin glues spring most readily to my mind.

(I know this subject has been covered before, but with the search engine down it is difficult to find the previous threads)

Thanks in advance
Jon

[PhilipC]

Not sure what to use, but you need to think about the effect on the mohair. I was recently quoted ~£200 to put in a new back screen, or ~£800 if the mohair needed replacing. You probably don't want to use a glue that won't come off the mohair once you get a real repair done. Noel at V8 used something rubbery, combined with a stapled wooden baton, as a temp fix on mine. Admittedly it didn't work for more than about a week or so, but it's not left any lasting problems with the roof.

[Big Al.]

I would take the restitch approach, glue could cause problems to the mohair.

[matttav]

I had the same thing happen.... basically caused by the stiching rotting.. once its gone.. its gone.

So yup.. would also suggest a re-stich and possibly replace the screen if its warn as adds little additional cost.

Hunting around could get the job done for the £100 mark in my experience.

Cheers
Matt

[JonRB]

Trouble is I've only just spent £1500 on having a cracked head repaired, and the Corrado has just cost me £1000 too.

The wife is not going to be understanding when I tell her I need to spend more money on the cars having just shelled out £2.5k this month.

>> Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 24th May 14:06

[seasider]

JonRB said:

The wife is not going to be understanding when I tell her I need to spend more money

Lie

Or buy a needle & good quality nylon upholstery thread.
An inch or two either side of the damage and follow the old holes, mine has lasted for ages.

Might be worth getting some seam seal from a camping shop this soaks into the stitching, only use it on the inside as it can leave a waxy residue....

[matttav]

Simple..... sell the wife.....

Thinking of a flaw........ give me a min

[GreenV8S]

It is possible to stitch it yourself in situ if you have plenty of patience. In my case the stitching gradually rotted over several years and then suddenly failed all at once, so if you're considering a DIY it maybe worth doing it sooner rather than later?

[JonRB]

GreenV8S said:

In my case the stitching gradually rotted over several years and then suddenly failed all at once, so if you're considering a DIY it maybe worth doing it sooner rather than later?

Indeed. Given that it is a 1997 car that is kept out in all weathers at the moment, I think the stitching rotting is extremely likely.

[edward1]

I have a similar problem, used glue temporariy (not the most uitable just what was handy at the time), and have hand stitched the failing section following the old stitch holes. I found it a painful process, after sticking the needle through the fingers several times. Sealed it to the weather by a thin bead of clear silicone along the joint. Hopefully this will come off without a problem when required and funds allow a new window to be stiched in.

[steve1c]

Try bird shit, that never comes off.

[ntel]

steve1c said:

Try bird shit, that never comes off.

[parrot of doom]

Don't try and glue it - its very difficult to do, and it probably won't stick anyway, its difficult to get plastic and fabric to weld together. Also, the glue won't come off.

Buy some black gaffer tape, and patch it up temporarily. You'll have to renew it every couple of weeks, but its the best solution. Wait until you can get it restitched, will only cost you £200 tops.

[JonRB]

parrot of doom said:

Buy some black gaffer tape, and patch it up temporarily. You'll have to renew it every couple of weeks, but its the best solution.

You seem to be implying that any self-respecting TVR owner, especially one who owns a copy of The Great Book my Steve "Prophet of Gaffer" Heath, wouldn't already own several rolls of it.

Yes, I was thinking of gaffer too. Trouble is I thought if I used it then nismobrown might start to make comments about our cars being held together with gaffer tape.

[vinnymyboy]

Hi I just had the same problem, the stitching went on my car when it was being cleaned and the window fell in to the car, I got it re stitched all round and it only cost me £150.00 I thought that was great let me know if you want the guys number who did it. Vinny [e-mail]

[millie]

I too have a rear screen with the structural rigidity of sliced ham and need to get it fixed - anyone any contacts for the Towcester / Northamptonshire / Silverstone area ?

Ta

[stringbag]

How much time do you have on your hands?
Reason I say this is that the rear screen on my Griff had parted company with the stitching over a gap of 6 inches or so. The previous owner had glued it back, which made a right mess and it came away again fairly quickly.
A trimmer will stitch it for about £30, but it will cost you £100 for them to take the hood off the car, cover off the frame and stick it all back together again after they have spent 5 mins running it through their sowing machine (it is stuck to the frame). Bastard of a job. Get it wrong and your rear screen will always be twisted and look crap.
So, if you have loads of time, have lots of space and patience, take it off yourself, send/take it to a trimmer (any out of the yellow pages), 5 mins later on your way home and put it all back together yourself.
If you don't have the time or patience (or skill - in my case!) live with it until you can take it to one of the trimmers in the back of Sprint.
Don't, however, stick it down or use any form of gaffer tape. Your bill will go up £100 for a new screen in about as long as it take to say 'b@ll@cks, wish I hadn't done that'

[steve1c]

In all seriousness...could it be done by hand? Surely, if it's going to cost £150 - £200 then even if it took all weekend it would be worth it. Some decent black/coloured cotton, a few good needles... with the centre roof off so you can get your hands around everything. I don't know if it's possible, but it could be worth a go.
Steve.

[stringbag]

Worth a try I suppose. You'll need one of those metal sewing things that your mother had to go over your finger and a fairly sturdy needle. Give it a go and see. Can't find a sewing smiley!

[ntel]

I have approx 2" of stitching to replace on each side of the hood. I'll be hand stitching it on Saturday. I found a good heavy cotton and an upholsters needle in my mothers sewing box, so I'll give it a go with that.