Changing the Rear Window

[ozsamurai]

For all those brave soles who have stuffed this up more than once, I took some pics on the last installation for reference.

Step 1: Remove all the screws from around the soft top

[ozsamurai]

Step 2:
Remove the 3 screws and 2 nuts either side from under the trunk, don't drop them!!

[ozsamurai]

Step 3: Give the hood a good scrub (water only) and hang it on the line (or truck) to dry thoroughly

[ozsamurai]

Step 4: This is a test of how much you paid attention in pre-school, cut out the old plastic with a good sharp pair of scissors, be fussy with it.

[ozsamurai]

Step 5:
Lay the top out flat on newspaper or a soft sheet so you don't scratch the new window film when fitting it.

[ozsamurai]

Step 6:

Cut the new window. Use the old window as a template, make it at least 2 inches wider all around, you can trim later.

[ozsamurai]

Step 7:

Run a line of Black Silicone sealant about an inch in from the edge all the way round

[ozsamurai]

Step 8:

You may need to ask someone for a hand to lay the window in place, so you don't get sealant everywhere on the new screen. Lay it flat, and apply pressure to wet-out the sealant. Dpending on the sealant, it can take up to 2 days to completly dryso make sure there are no air leak spots, and it is thoroughly sealed.

[ozsamurai]

Step 9:
When the sealant has dried, trim off the excess with your trusty scissors.......done. Re-install the window in reverse order..

[ozsamurai]

Notes:

1) The window film itself can be most any clear vinyl sheet used for tabletop covers etc. thickness is entirely up to you, genuine is approx 1mm thick. I chose a thinner sheet for a few reasons;
- Cheaper (2.50GBP), so I can replace it hundreds of times without killing the budget
- Better visibility, the thicker it gets the harder to see

A sheet measuring 1m by 50cm will be enough.

2) DO NOT ZIP THE WINDOW UP UNTIL IT HAS THOROUGHLY DRIED!! You will just rip the glue off, and have to start again!!

[Wh1teLeopard]

What an extremely useful topic. Thank you very much :D

[DaX]

I think I'm going to attempt this very soon.

[DaX]

I cut out the old back window just now! I'm going to the store in a minute to find a suitable replacement! :D

[ozsamurai]

Uhhh! shouldn't you do that in reverse, get the material then hack the window apart?? doh! lol. Make sure you totally wet out the silicone sealer abpout and inch wide of the window and don't, and I mean don't touch it for 2 days maybe more till the glue is set, or you will just rip it out with the stress that the hood places on the back window, I know I did it!!

good luck and lets know how you get on

O