FWIW, from inside looking out, my tinted one looks clear, not dark. Do take off your sunglasses at night tho...
Z3 Hood Repair Advice
- Thread starter Scooblitz
- Start date
FWIW, from inside looking out, my tinted one looks clear, not dark. Do take off your sunglasses at night tho...
One other way to repair the hood is to just get a hardtop. Got one fitted to Tessa yesterday.
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Was out working on the car today. The window replacement job has to be one of the fiddliest jobs ever. Employed some helpers to try and hold the window but didnt manage to get everything alligned. I decided to try a different method, so i used some strong tape to hold the window as close to what the final position will be. Did lots of adjusting to get the window in place so i could get the two zips together and managed to get it after about 8 hours of trying. With daylight fading i have managed to zip round about 3/4s of the window. Its such a nervous process and needed a bit of a tug at times but for the section of the window thats in place, the zip teeth look to have alligned and partnered up well.
However, just at the last, a little bit of stiching that i hadn't notice has come away from the zip that caused a bit of bunching. So the sewing kit needs to come back out to sort that out before continuing.
So the car is sitting with the window 3/4s on with just the bottom corner and the home straight left to be zipped into position. Frustrating and testing day with the Z but looking at it at the moment its looking so much better and has been worth the hairloss. Hoping everything will allign so i can finish the job.
There was enough of the window in place to take it out for a test drive and its really good to be able to see out the back of the car. The Tint isn't as dark from the inside. I can use my rear view mirror now. I think when i get around to address the hood fabric, it'll look pretty decent.
Up early tomorrow morning before work so see if i can get the job complete.
However, just at the last, a little bit of stiching that i hadn't notice has come away from the zip that caused a bit of bunching. So the sewing kit needs to come back out to sort that out before continuing.
So the car is sitting with the window 3/4s on with just the bottom corner and the home straight left to be zipped into position. Frustrating and testing day with the Z but looking at it at the moment its looking so much better and has been worth the hairloss. Hoping everything will allign so i can finish the job.
There was enough of the window in place to take it out for a test drive and its really good to be able to see out the back of the car. The Tint isn't as dark from the inside. I can use my rear view mirror now. I think when i get around to address the hood fabric, it'll look pretty decent.
Up early tomorrow morning before work so see if i can get the job complete.
From a frustrating day with the car to a pretty disapointing one.
After readdressing the stiching in the bottom corner that was not allowing the zip to run i managed to get the window in. Theres a lot of running the zip back and forth to try and get everything to line up. Used a pencil to try and lubricate the teeth a bit and slow and steady is the key. The video on ADM's website makes it look as simple as doing your jean fly up but it is not at all.
However, as soon as i had taken the zip off the end. 3 inches of the other side of the zip teeth came undone with no obvious way of resealing. After running my finger along the fabric trying to see of the seam tuck would look like, another 4 inches of space open up on the zip.
Disapointing end to what i thought was the job 90% complete aside sewing in the window and tucking in the seals to the window edge. So close yet so far. So i guess the picture is purely for illustration purposes only. For anyone debating the tinted style rear window replacement, really pleased with the look of it as i was a bit worried not going OEM and fully original might detract from a resale stand point.
So its looking like the window fitment is going to need redone. Hopefully, second times a charm.
Process for the reado is going to be taping the window in position again like i did before to maintain the placement of the window, use the tool to slide over the zip teeth to realease the joins and get the zip attached again and give it another go.
I have some worries about the teeth and the zip getting managled and just not being able to withstand the process twice. During the first attempt, sometimes a bit of force was needed to get the zip down a few teeth which is really not what id like to be doing. I already had to go back and forth and redo bits plenty of times. Hopefully i won't have damaged any off the teeth or its going to be a headache.
QUESTION: On the diagram it asked for the zip to run to the left and round. (from inside the car) However it was almost impossible to get the zip on so i thought id try it in the other direction, to the right and round as the zip ends were much easier to allign and actually make progress. Will this matter? Is it the cause of the unseeming on the other side?
After all that, i'd be forgiven for cursing the car but if anything it makes me like the car even more and get more bits done.
Any thoughts and support is always appreciated.
Scooblitz
After readdressing the stiching in the bottom corner that was not allowing the zip to run i managed to get the window in. Theres a lot of running the zip back and forth to try and get everything to line up. Used a pencil to try and lubricate the teeth a bit and slow and steady is the key. The video on ADM's website makes it look as simple as doing your jean fly up but it is not at all.
However, as soon as i had taken the zip off the end. 3 inches of the other side of the zip teeth came undone with no obvious way of resealing. After running my finger along the fabric trying to see of the seam tuck would look like, another 4 inches of space open up on the zip.
Disapointing end to what i thought was the job 90% complete aside sewing in the window and tucking in the seals to the window edge. So close yet so far. So i guess the picture is purely for illustration purposes only. For anyone debating the tinted style rear window replacement, really pleased with the look of it as i was a bit worried not going OEM and fully original might detract from a resale stand point.So its looking like the window fitment is going to need redone. Hopefully, second times a charm.
Process for the reado is going to be taping the window in position again like i did before to maintain the placement of the window, use the tool to slide over the zip teeth to realease the joins and get the zip attached again and give it another go.
I have some worries about the teeth and the zip getting managled and just not being able to withstand the process twice. During the first attempt, sometimes a bit of force was needed to get the zip down a few teeth which is really not what id like to be doing. I already had to go back and forth and redo bits plenty of times. Hopefully i won't have damaged any off the teeth or its going to be a headache.
QUESTION: On the diagram it asked for the zip to run to the left and round. (from inside the car) However it was almost impossible to get the zip on so i thought id try it in the other direction, to the right and round as the zip ends were much easier to allign and actually make progress. Will this matter? Is it the cause of the unseeming on the other side?
After all that, i'd be forgiven for cursing the car but if anything it makes me like the car even more and get more bits done.
Any thoughts and support is always appreciated.
Scooblitz
see post 6 about Art Munster Design windows... I thought I was going to have to get a new roof because the zip was so dodgy...
hope you get it on the next attempt...
hope you get it on the next attempt...
Unfortunately the teeth on the roof side of my zip are knackered from to many budged attempts of getting a new screen in place.
Getting a new roof with sewn in screen from Jack Smith in Swansea this weekend.
Getting a new roof with sewn in screen from Jack Smith in Swansea this weekend.
Sorry you’re having an issue with that screen. Mine seems to be holding up, but I know my seeing is off slightly as I have to help the screen fold properly to not crease it on it’s way to folding. More of an alignment thing rather than a screen issue I believe.
I found an excellent condition hood last weekend and may fit that in place on Zena, the 97, 1.9. If so, I thought about moving the tinted screen over to replace the blue tint one on the replacement hood. Now I’m rethinking that based on the fitting comments here.
I will prolly charge forward tho as I do like the tinted screen look on a black Z. Won’t be soon tho as it’s been pouring here as of late...
I found an excellent condition hood last weekend and may fit that in place on Zena, the 97, 1.9. If so, I thought about moving the tinted screen over to replace the blue tint one on the replacement hood. Now I’m rethinking that based on the fitting comments here.
I will prolly charge forward tho as I do like the tinted screen look on a black Z. Won’t be soon tho as it’s been pouring here as of late...
Hi, I’ve attempted to fit a new rear window twice. The roof itself is in ok condition but needs some restiching around the window trim, roof is faded and there is staining on the roof itself which is proving a pain to get out.
I’m tempted to get a new roof as I feel like I’m just wasting time. Im in Hertfordshire, is the best local place the Croydon soft top guys? Is the quality as good as a new BMW one? Is there any merit in refurbing the original if you ignore the cost?
I’m tempted to get a new roof as I feel like I’m just wasting time. Im in Hertfordshire, is the best local place the Croydon soft top guys? Is the quality as good as a new BMW one? Is there any merit in refurbing the original if you ignore the cost?
MRH1966
Zorg Legend
I have just used Croydon Soft Tops. Fantastic job. Uses same material as they did in factory when first made. £375 cash only
MRH1966
Zorg Legend
Yes. Takes about 3 - 4 hours. Morning or afternoon slots. Mine was done on a Tuesday afternoon and my father in laws was done on a Saturday morning. He came down from Birmingham to have it done
MRH1966
Zorg Legend
You won't be disappointed
A little update. I should probably have a build thread up by now.
Worked on the car last week and did a few things. Removed the seats and did the bushing repair. Fiddly little job but really worthwhile as both sides bushing were vaporised. Also decided under @Stevo7682 advice, i set about removing 3 litres of water from the floor pan from both sides. Still not dry but certainly not sodden. Spent a while kneeding the foam and collecting the water with a cloth. For anyone with a hood issue this is well worth doing as the car seems to pull water in some bad areas especially around the sills.
Window still isn't perfect. Going to have some new attemepts with it over the weekend so im hoping to get everything to slip in. Got a trip driving from Glasgow to the Isle of Skye planned in two weeks so a bit of a kick to get the car prepped.
Pics to follow...
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Worked on the car last week and did a few things. Removed the seats and did the bushing repair. Fiddly little job but really worthwhile as both sides bushing were vaporised. Also decided under @Stevo7682 advice, i set about removing 3 litres of water from the floor pan from both sides. Still not dry but certainly not sodden. Spent a while kneeding the foam and collecting the water with a cloth. For anyone with a hood issue this is well worth doing as the car seems to pull water in some bad areas especially around the sills.
Window still isn't perfect. Going to have some new attemepts with it over the weekend so im hoping to get everything to slip in. Got a trip driving from Glasgow to the Isle of Skye planned in two weeks so a bit of a kick to get the car prepped.
Pics to follow...
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Looking at using these guys, how was the window fitted ? And was it clear or tinted (cheers)
Bazza
MRH1966
Zorg Legend
Clear window, sewn in
N
N4LLY
Guest
Got to love a new roof 
