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2002 firebird convertible top rear window temp fix

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6.6K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  TransAmer99  
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#1 ·
I've had my '02 firebird for four years and just last year I noticed my glass window peeling away from the canvas leaving a hole for water to leak in through. The hole eventually got bigger and the entire top part of the window was completely detached from the canvas so I went and got quoted on how much a brand new top would cost plus labor, well I couldn't afford it. Next thing I realize when I went out to my car one day, the whole window had just peeled right off with only the bottom portion attached to the canvas. I then took it to see if I could get it fixed, the guy once again quoted me and removed my window entirely leaving me without a window and no way of affording the fix or new top at the time. So, what I ended up doing as a temporary fix until I could afford a new top was using a clear vinyl shower curtain liner. At first I used duct tape. I cut the shower curtain to fit and duct taped the crap out of it. Lasted two months until I had to replace it. Then I tried sewing the shower curtain liner on, which was really hard and took a long time. Lasted a few months until it started to tear. The next time I tried stapling AND sewing which also lasted a few months until it started to tear. I have also tried different kinds of glue/adhesives which didn't work too well with the canvas and vinyl.

Does ANYBODY have any ideas/suggestions for me that will be more effective and last longer than what I have already tried? At least until I could afford to get a brand new top (tax season lol)
 
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#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
I've used the Loctite brand of fabric glue with success on the seams of my canvas convertible top. I don't know how it would work with canvas and vinyl though. My son used to apply the tear offs to windshields of Nascar and Bush series cars. This material makes a great temporary window but I don't know how well it would work with canvas.
 
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#5 ·
The last few tops I replaced, as I remember, you have to completely remove the back half of the top to replace the rear window. (the window goes on before the top) as I remember, a top with a rear Plastic window, with Pads, cost me around $600 and took me a day to install By Myself.( a staple gun and a couple tubes of Goop). plenty of instructionals online of How to Install.
 
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#6 ·
The real problem with those is that once a rip, gap or tear gets started, the air pressure inside (especially if you run with windows down) is certain to make the problem worse. If it is the original top,, it's approaching 12 years old, which means that most of the cording and seams are bound to be UV damaged or dry-rotting.

You'll pretty much be chasing this problem regardless of any type of temporary fix you try, until you are able to pony up for a replacement top.

What you might be able to do is buy the top you want first, then find an installer who will warrant his/her work, or you can attempt to do the install yourself. There are online tutorials available as well as step-by-step instructions. Here's a source I found that has models available from less than $250. I'd shy away from the very cheapest ones, because, as the saying goes: "you get what you pay for."

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/search/?searchType=global&N=0&Ntt=Convertible+Top&tahsearch=1&tahgroup=UGS&tahrank=484170&tahscore=7.583165
 
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