roof re-trim... diy or not.
Discussion
Dropped chim off yesterday at RT racing in Sheffield. I enquired about getting the roof re-trimmed as it is on its way out, the seals on the targa don't fit etc. I was told £700+ Vat . That was material, rear screen and all new seals etc. This about right, I have seen companies that provide the bits for £350-400, but think fitting it/ recovering myself is a bit of a challenge.
any other trimmers in the Yorkshire region that anyone has used?
any other trimmers in the Yorkshire region that anyone has used?
Hi Robert,
Unless you struggle to use a spanner and have no talent at all for DIY
, re-trimming the roof isn't actually such a big deal. Years ago I put together a guide for re-covering the targa section. Last year I recovered both the targa and folding hoop section. I keep meaning to write a guide for the folding section, but nevr seem to have the time, though I'm sure I can knock together a bullet point guide pretty quickly.
My experience was that it took 2 - 3 days to do yourself, though if your car isn't used daily (as mine is) you can obviously take as long as you want. In terms of hood... I've had experience of two companies; BAS International and Mazdahoods.
Bas Int., in my opinion, produce a slightly better quality hood material that was identical to the original TVR roof material, however, they are slightly more expensive. In addition, the targa material has to be stitched on the window sides, using a sewing machine, to produce the seams that over hang the windows.
The quality of the Mazdahoods material is good and I went for this the second time around based on recommendations on PH's and the fact it was cheaper than BAS. While I personally prefered the material from BAS, it is a good quality hood and is completely ready to fit, no additional stitching required.
The fitting process is not particularly difficult and the main thing is to take lots of photos as you go so that you have images to refer to when it comes to putting it all back together. All in all it's a good way to learn about your car and it's approx half the price of taking the car to a shop trimmer.
Unless you struggle to use a spanner and have no talent at all for DIY
, re-trimming the roof isn't actually such a big deal. Years ago I put together a guide for re-covering the targa section. Last year I recovered both the targa and folding hoop section. I keep meaning to write a guide for the folding section, but nevr seem to have the time, though I'm sure I can knock together a bullet point guide pretty quickly.My experience was that it took 2 - 3 days to do yourself, though if your car isn't used daily (as mine is) you can obviously take as long as you want. In terms of hood... I've had experience of two companies; BAS International and Mazdahoods.
Bas Int., in my opinion, produce a slightly better quality hood material that was identical to the original TVR roof material, however, they are slightly more expensive. In addition, the targa material has to be stitched on the window sides, using a sewing machine, to produce the seams that over hang the windows.
The quality of the Mazdahoods material is good and I went for this the second time around based on recommendations on PH's and the fact it was cheaper than BAS. While I personally prefered the material from BAS, it is a good quality hood and is completely ready to fit, no additional stitching required.
The fitting process is not particularly difficult and the main thing is to take lots of photos as you go so that you have images to refer to when it comes to putting it all back together. All in all it's a good way to learn about your car and it's approx half the price of taking the car to a shop trimmer.
I think i have seen the guide ( and downloaded it!). The bas looks good.
I can use a spanner, but I'm still not allowed to use glue as I make a mess!
The hood is ok but s bit tatty where it velcros to the body, the little flsps on the in side have nearly come off and the seals on the targa don't fit fkush with the window so the wind noise above 80 is pretty bad. Also it has been done prev in black cloth and I don't think it suits the starmist blue car. I would prefer mohair blue.
I can use a spanner, but I'm still not allowed to use glue as I make a mess!
The hood is ok but s bit tatty where it velcros to the body, the little flsps on the in side have nearly come off and the seals on the targa don't fit fkush with the window so the wind noise above 80 is pretty bad. Also it has been done prev in black cloth and I don't think it suits the starmist blue car. I would prefer mohair blue.
lestershaw said:
dont you have to factor in the 2-3 days of your labour?
Yes, but isn't that the case (or the point) of all DIY jobs, be it a car or in the home? You don't charge yourself a labour rate so you're only using up your free time and learning something in the process.However, as Russell Mc says, if trimmer shop prices vary so much and you can find a good trimmers at a cheap price it would probably be worth doing that instead.
i suppose it all depends on how much spare time you have, whether you can earn more than paying someone else to do it, but the MOST important thing is if the finished product is as good as the professionals. On something like re trimming the roof, how would you benefit from learning about it, probably only gets done every 5 years.if you were talking about changing disks, pads, or other servicing type of work i would agree with you.
in my case there is absolutely NO chance of it looking any good when i had finished it. I have sent an email to Dave the Trimmer and await the reply
in my case there is absolutely NO chance of it looking any good when i had finished it. I have sent an email to Dave the Trimmer and await the reply
Anyone had the roof retrimmed in the Northwest area. If so, where and how much.
Hope to do mine next year as the rear window stiching is coming undone and the rear screen isnt as clear as it should be.
It would be good to compile a list, quality of work, price,location, etc, to have for reference.
Hope to do mine next year as the rear window stiching is coming undone and the rear screen isnt as clear as it should be.
It would be good to compile a list, quality of work, price,location, etc, to have for reference.
booked in with dave the trimmer for beginning of May to have carpets and roof done. any thoughts on different colour roofs, not the usual black,blue, green,red?
i was thinking of burnt orange to go with the yellow Chim. Fortunately you might say, Dave doesnt do burnt orange in mohair :-)
i was thinking of burnt orange to go with the yellow Chim. Fortunately you might say, Dave doesnt do burnt orange in mohair :-)
Edited by lestershaw on Friday 15th February 15:19
TJC46 said:
Anyone had the roof retrimmed in the Northwest area. If so, where and how much.
Hope to do mine next year as the rear window stiching is coming undone and the rear screen isnt as clear as it should be.
It would be good to compile a list, quality of work, price,location, etc, to have for reference.
I had my roof and interior done by the trim technician in Blackpool. John and Cathy are ex TVR factory employees. I was very pleased with the work. I went for the smaller window option so the rear section folds neater and lower. Not sure on the individual cost of the roof as I had it done with the rest of the interior.Hope to do mine next year as the rear window stiching is coming undone and the rear screen isnt as clear as it should be.
It would be good to compile a list, quality of work, price,location, etc, to have for reference.
A few pics here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
there was a full roof for sale in good nice in the parts section on here from memory........£250.
unbolt your, bolt new one in......and bingo.....spend the £500 saving on some gaz shocks lol
Had a quick look and not on there anymore but give http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?nam...
a PM as he was seeling it
unbolt your, bolt new one in......and bingo.....spend the £500 saving on some gaz shocks lol
Had a quick look and not on there anymore but give http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?nam...
a PM as he was seeling it
Edited by gmw9666 on Friday 15th February 15:44
It is possible to do - I did my S several years ago and wrote up a quick guide, which is on here. The Griffith and Chim are very similar in construction to the S.
http://www.tvrsseries.com/
http://www.tvrsseries.com/rearhoodsectionremoval/T...
The main thing is not to rush and to trial fit often, the maxim 'measure twice cut once' is also very relevant. Spray adhesive is very useful for fitting to the roll over hoop, but it can be very easy to overspray so cover things with dust sheets. Best to get them from a trimmers supply company like woolies
http://www.tvrsseries.com/
http://www.tvrsseries.com/rearhoodsectionremoval/T...
The main thing is not to rush and to trial fit often, the maxim 'measure twice cut once' is also very relevant. Spray adhesive is very useful for fitting to the roll over hoop, but it can be very easy to overspray so cover things with dust sheets. Best to get them from a trimmers supply company like woolies
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff