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Vinyl Window Replacement

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Uncle Vin, Oct 20, 2017.

  1. Oct 20, 2017
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

    Long Island, New...
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    I have a vintage Whitco top that's in great shape, except, that the windows are cracked and cloudy beyond repair. Being that the windows are heat welded to the top from the factory, what's the best option to repair them? A local canvas shop suggested that they could sew the windows to the top, but it would cost $800+.
     
  2. Oct 20, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    We cut them out & sewed the new ones in ourselves but it requires a heavy duty machine to do it.

    We used the wife's 1903 treadle Singer :D
     
    Karl Childers likes this.
  3. Oct 20, 2017
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

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    Howard, can you post some photos of the results?
     
  4. Oct 20, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Sorry no, that was quite a while ago & the top is buried up in the top of the garage at the moment.

    I can say it looked perfectly fine. If doing it yourself like I said you need a heavy duty machine & just go slowly & carefully.
     
  5. Oct 20, 2017
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    It's not easy but a treadle machine will do it I haven't found a suitable clear vinyl. Everything I've found gets cloudy when it stays wet a day or two it gets clear again when dry though.
     
  6. Oct 20, 2017
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

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    What about Strataglass? It's specifically made for boat canvas tops which are, by definition, constantly wet.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2017
  7. Oct 20, 2017
    vnulk

    vnulk New Member

    Oracle, AZ
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    I have a Singer Fashion Mate 362, i.e. not a heavy duty machine, that I have used for years to replace vinyl windows, repair my CJ5 rag top fabricate new seat covers and make boat and winch covers from light canvas. I use a sharp needle and take it slow with heavy synthetic thread. Other than that, the only thing I can tell you about sewing clear vinyl is that I cover both top and bottom surfaces with heavy tissue paper to allow materials to slide over base plate and under pressure foot. Because advance teeth may not grab sufficiently to pull material through, I keep sufficient tension to advance to next stitch. I'd like to have a heavier machine but seem to manage with what I have.
     
  8. Oct 21, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    Look at the top very closely before trying to replace the windows. It is very common for the top material to look good but be in really bad shape once you try to put it on.
     
  9. Oct 23, 2017
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

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    image.jpeg image.jpeg Believe me, the top is in great shape.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2017
  10. Oct 23, 2017
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    ick....
     
  11. Oct 23, 2017
    GeoffreyL

    GeoffreyL Well-Known Member

    moorestown, nj
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    Contact a sailmaker or boat upholstery guy. That is who I would have do it.
     
  12. Oct 23, 2017
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

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    A local canvas shop suggested that they could sew the windows to the top, but it would cost $800+. Any other ideas?
     
  13. Oct 23, 2017
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    How much would new doors be? Is it easier /more economical to go that route?
     
  14. Oct 23, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    This is an age old topic. Almost always when the windows go so does the top because of the cost or availability of replacement windows. The material really does break down over time. I have seen several tops look perfect then be trash after a few miles of highway driving.
     
  15. Oct 25, 2017
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

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    That's not the case with mine. I can assure you.
     
  16. Oct 25, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    It's usually the stitching that lets go, I had my original top totally diss-assemble itself in the space of about 20 miles.

    Just sewed it back together & it was fine for a few more years but we eventually ended up sewing up a complete replacement.
     
  17. Oct 25, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    On my aftermarket bestop - it was the stitching thread that rotted out and let go. I was able to remove whatever stitching was left and sew back together using clear nylon thread (like fine liter fishing line) with just a large upholstery needle and thimble by hand. I essentially re-used the exisiting holes in the fabric which made it easy to push the needle through and doable by hand - not sure how this would work for the the window portion on the whitco. The bestop has the windows glued/adhesive is some way to the fabric. Its time consuming - like a hour or so every night in front of the tv for a couple weeks - but its worked great for 3-4 years now. Of course, now the rest of the top is starting to deteriorate - one window is cracking and the fabric is starting to tear in the high stress areas. I knew the top wouldn't last all that long, but I just couldn't afford a new top at the time and i run it topless/bikini a lot so it hard to justify the cost.
     
  18. Oct 25, 2017
    Uncle Vin

    Uncle Vin Member 2022 Sponsor

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    Other than the top portion of the door window, the windows on this Whitco top are heat sealed to the top (see the above photos). There lies the issue. I would like to see photos of a top like this with replacement windows. I hesitate to try to replace the windows if the end result is no bueno. On the other hand, I do love the classic nature of this top, which cannot be duplicated by the purchase of a new Bestop.
     
    mayday likes this.
  19. Oct 25, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Okay - so then i think it would be doable for new window to be installed. Someone put a knife through a single window of my new CJ7 bestop years ago and I took it to a local auto upholstery and top shop - they worked on convertible tops and boat tops - they removed the cut window and replaced with a new vinyl that I assume they cut to fit from bulk or from something else. Was great...I think it should be doable although finding these kind of shops is getting tougher. I would think boat and marine might be best. This was around 2000 (I had just moved to Texas) and it cost around $80-100.
     
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