Which to replace: Cabrio Top or Just Window?
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 623
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From: Cincinnati OH
Which to replace: Cabrio Top or Just Window?
My Cab has a pretty bad rear window that I want to fix. At night it's not so bad but during the day or especially at dusk you simply can't see cars unless their lights are on.
The upholstery shop that did the headliner in my 90 quoted me $700 to replace the window so that option is out. I have seen the zip in replacement windows that go for about $150. they look to be a reasonable option but the word from my searching is that there is a problem sealing the window to the top properly. The other option is to get a new top for $550. This way the window comes installed and sealed professionally. The stitching on my top is missing in spots and knowing my luck the top will fail as soon as I get the window fixed.
Also, I have the option of other colors if I get new. Not that I necessarily need to go for a non-black color but I have seen a few other colored tops that look good.
Anybody out there done the window or the new top and have some BTDT advise for me?
The upholstery shop that did the headliner in my 90 quoted me $700 to replace the window so that option is out. I have seen the zip in replacement windows that go for about $150. they look to be a reasonable option but the word from my searching is that there is a problem sealing the window to the top properly. The other option is to get a new top for $550. This way the window comes installed and sealed professionally. The stitching on my top is missing in spots and knowing my luck the top will fail as soon as I get the window fixed.
Also, I have the option of other colors if I get new. Not that I necessarily need to go for a non-black color but I have seen a few other colored tops that look good.
Anybody out there done the window or the new top and have some BTDT advise for me?
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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I have the zip in style and it is not easy to get it tight, so it's sloppy looking.
In fact I plan on taking it to an upholstery shop to see if they can do anything with it to firm up the top. Will let you know...
I would stay with black, holds up the longest without a doubt, white, grey, tan, look good at first... but collect dirt very easily that doesn't show up nearly as bad on black, IMHO.
In fact I plan on taking it to an upholstery shop to see if they can do anything with it to firm up the top. Will let you know...
I would stay with black, holds up the longest without a doubt, white, grey, tan, look good at first... but collect dirt very easily that doesn't show up nearly as bad on black, IMHO.
AudiWorld Member
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I got a top from this guy for less than 300, and will be installing it myself for this upcoming spring...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-Cabriol...item3f09ca4567
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-Cabriol...item3f09ca4567
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 541
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From: Charlotte, NC
I've done the universal zip in. My next step is to try a construction grade glue gun and see if it holds the edge of the top to the window. That would seem more in line with the stuff I removed when I replaced the window. Makes some sense to me as the original had the copper wire imbeded in the "adhesive" to heat it up when voltage was applied during assembly. Contact cement, etc., has been a failure.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Can someone post a pic and show me what the zip in style looks like. I've heard of them...but never seen one on these cars. A few years ago i polished my rear plastic window, and its holding up pretty good considering...it has bought me a few extra years for sure. I told the wife it was new...she had no idea, so if done properly, you can get good results.
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Thread Starter
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 623
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From: Cincinnati OH
I ended up not replacing it. I used a rotary buffer and two kinds of polish to buff the plastic window.
It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but good enough for me to see a lot better now.
Plus, if its not nice enough out to have the top down I'll likely be driving the S6!
This was my inspriation for the buffer method...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC848...e_gdata_player
It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but good enough for me to see a lot better now.
Plus, if its not nice enough out to have the top down I'll likely be driving the S6!
This was my inspriation for the buffer method...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC848...e_gdata_player
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Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Akron, OH
rear window install
I have the zip in style and it is not easy to get it tight, so it's sloppy looking.
In fact I plan on taking it to an upholstery shop to see if they can do anything with it to firm up the top. Will let you know...
I would stay with black, holds up the longest without a doubt, white, grey, tan, look good at first... but collect dirt very easily that doesn't show up nearly as bad on black, IMHO.
In fact I plan on taking it to an upholstery shop to see if they can do anything with it to firm up the top. Will let you know...
I would stay with black, holds up the longest without a doubt, white, grey, tan, look good at first... but collect dirt very easily that doesn't show up nearly as bad on black, IMHO.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 541
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From: Charlotte, NC
Hawkdaddy - go to EMiata.com. That's the guy in North Carolina that makes them. Good pic of the missing teeth in the universal zipper. You have to get it started at the correct point or you get wrinkles in the corner. Mark the zipper on the half connected to the top and the half connected to the window. Then use the old window to mark the new one. Line it up and then start the zipper. It is NOT all that easy, but if you take your time it will work. If I were to do it over, I'd take the old window to a shop and get them to match the zipper, and sew a a new half on. Or, I'd get them to remove the old zipper from the window and stitch it on to new plastic. You'll need a zipper pull. There are alignment notches cut into the old window. Sorry about not getting back to you via PM.