Rear Window Trim Coming Loose

[Hwk-I-St8]

I have an 01 Z roadster with the trim around the soft top window coming off (see pics). Because this is an all-original Z with super low mileage (about 8K) that has strictly been a fair weather car it's whole life, I'd prefer not to replace the top. Local repair places (minimal choices) are saying they won't repair it, only replace the top.

I'd prefer to keep the original top. It and the window are in great shape and don't really need to be replaced. Has anyone repaired the rubber-like trim piece that goes around the outside edge of the window? Any advice on this?

 

[Duncodin]

If it's the original roof then the rear window zips in. If you have fhe zip in window then the plastic trim is attached to the window. You can't just change or re-attach the trim. But you can buy a new window and that comes with new plastic trim.

But if your roof is 25 years old then it's likely that the stitching on the zip is ripe and may come away when you try to zip in a new window. Mine did.

 

[AntStark]

If it's the original roof then the rear window zips in. If you have fhe zip in window then the plastic trim is attached to the window. You can't just change or re-attach the trim. But you can buy a new window and that comes with new plastic trim.

But if your roof is 25 years old then it's likely that the stitching on the zip is ripe and may come away when you try to zip in a new window. Mine did.

The plastic trim is attached to the roof fabric not the replaceable window. I assume it was bonded originally, so that might be your solution..some kind of glue (super glue)

 

[Peter1450]

My wife’s was not as bad as yours and after taking advice on here I tried to reattach the top corners.
Nothing I tried held it for long or certainly wasn’t aesthetically pleasing, if it’s not part of the window as stated above the only satisfactory solution is a new roof but not everyone’s enthusiastic enough for that kind of expense!

 

[AntStark]

The plastic trim is attached to the roof fabric not the replaceable window. I assume it was bonded originally, so that might be your solution..some kind of glue (super glue)

Actually @Eddie Zedder you may be right..mine wasn’t really attached to anything but the outer roof fabric..it was totally shot though

 

[Althulas]

If the fabric will tuck back into the rubber trim you can secure it with 3m double sided tape or use black silicone but tape up where you obviously don’t want any silicone.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I doubt the stitching is giving out. This thing has spent most of its 24 years in a climate controlled garage. It is the original top with the zip in window. I have watched a few vids about replacing the window and IIRC, there was part held by tape and then the outer flap was glued.

Shrug....part of me hates to replace what is a perfectly good top (and original), but I'm not against that. I really wish I could get a new OEM top, but I have not found any sources for that. I'm guessing they don't make them anymore. I have a local guy who specializes in upholstery and convertible tops. He like the brand that my research was leading me to. I could just replace the whole thing (including headliner) and call it good.

A new top would probably last another 24 years given the life this thing leads.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Actually @Eddie Zedder you may be right..mine wasn’t really attached to anything but the outer roof fabric..it was totally shot though

We need a disagree button rather than dislike .
The trim is part of the window and the fabric tucks under the edge and is secured with double sided tape.

 

[AntStark]

We need a disagree button rather than dislike .
The trim is part of the window and the fabric tucks under the edge and is secured with double sided tape.

…or a ‘you are talking rubbish’ emoji

 

[Ade33]

Hwk-I-St8...I was in exactly the same situation as you a while back..an immaculate original hood with the rubber strip coming off the rear window surround

I tried everything to glue it back and it did last a while until the soft top was lowered and it started to come unstuck as whren its folded it becomes under tension...very frustrating!...Its a bad design..

In the end I had a new soft top fitted ..We have a guy in the UK in Swansea who fits at a decent price and im pleased with my decision

 

[Duncodin]

The plastic trim is attached to the roof fabric not the replaceable window. I assume it was bonded originally, so that might be your solution..some kind of glue (super glue)

Plastic trim stiched to window. After zipping in the window the roof fabric is tucked inder the plastic

 

[z3ddie]

Had the same and no amount or type of adhesive would fix or hold it in place. Bought a curved upholstery needle and waxed black cotton and patiently stiched under the seal and fabric and still holding but going to Swansea on 17th for a new roof

 

[Duncodin]

I replaced my back window around 12 years ago. New one zipped in just fine. But recently the stitching on the roof side of the zip started coming away. Took the window out to stitich up the fabric but when trying to put the window back in it was obvious that all the stitching was gone and no point in trying to fix it. Needed a new roof.

i like doing stuff myself so I fitted my own. Wanted to at least give it a try. So ordered a cheap one (£180 incl delivery) from usa on etsy.

Not really happy with it. You don't get much for £180. Rear window is laminated in. Waterproof but looks naff up close.

Anyway. What I'm saying.is that I don't think you'll ever get that plastic trim in. It's broke. You might glue it back in but it'll look naff unless you can be super neat. A new window, with trim, might work but maybe the stitching will all come away under the tension of the new window. But then you can maybe sell the new window - and buy a new roof and get many years of happy use out of it.

 

[IanA]

..some kind of glue (super glue)

I've found very few successful uses for super glue but have used lots of this quick-setting epoxy for all sorts of jobs.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Pond]

I've found very few successful uses for super glue

It's fantastic at sticking fingers together. Other than that, it's crap IMO.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

So, I'm gonna take a closer look at the stitching for the top's zipper. Given the pampering this car's had, I'm guessing it's still in very good shape. It so, it sounds like a new zip-in window would solve the problem?

 

[Peewee]

Closely inspect the stitching around the rear window and elsewhere. If it's in good condition as well as the rest of the hood I would suggest just getting a new zip in window (which has the rubber trim already bonded to it). Trying to glue back the rubber trim is only a temporary fix as it will come apart again with use.
Whether it's economic to replace the complete hood and window (e,g, Jack Smith) is a valued judgement you have to make regarding the hoods general condition and the use it's going to get.
I was in exactly the same postion as you and after evaluation decided to just get a new rear window.
Good luck!

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I remembered/realized one other thing regarding the top. I almost never drive it with the top up, but last summer I did and I noticed a little spring hanging down from the top above the window. In poking around, I think it's some sort of tensioner for the liner? Is it something that can be repaired without taking the whole thing apart?

Thinking this might factor into my fix vs replace decision.....

 

[AntStark]

Yes, easy replace if you can get hold of a spare

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Yes, easy replace if you can get hold of a spare

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