Benheck.com forumgoers, my car needs your help!

Kyosho · Post by **Kyosho** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:05 am

I recently acquired a 1992 Pontiac Sunbird convertible. It's a decent car. I got it just a week before I moved into my new apartment. A week after that, some one broke into my neighbor's car, and sliced mine. Didn't break into mine, just sliced the soft-top.

What they sliced was the rear "window." They sliced it in the shape of a sideways letter "J." This window is plastic, about an eighth of an inch thick, and somewhat flexible. I've looked into it, and I can't afford to replace it. Currently it is taped with clear tape that's intended for cardboard boxes. But winter is coming. And snow. I do not have a car port, or anything else to put my car under or in. I suppose I could buy a car cover but that'd cost probably $30 or so, and would be a pain to have to use all the time.

What I want to do is seal it closed again. Problem is, I don't know what kind of plastic it is. I know certain sealants will ruin certain plastics, etc.

Anyone know what I could use? Something clear preferably. Something that will last, as well. Something that will hold up to rain, the weight of snow, etc. I'm talking a fix it and forget it kind of thing. I don't want to have to do constant maintenance on it.

If anyone can help me, you guys can.

Post by **Skyone** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:13 am

Tada!

My uncle used some silicone filler on his cracked windshield (due to flying rocks, etc). Silicone is generally a great substance, I don't think it corrodes much of anything. I'm pretty sure this is what you want.

This might not be the exact product, so search around.

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:41 am

Have you ever thought of going Junk Yard Hopping? You can sometimes find harder to find parts. Or in you case you might be able to find a plastic window for maybe way cheaper. If you can't find the same exact plastic window. Find a car with a bigger plastic window and cut it to size.

Post by **Triton** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:11 am

the soft windows on convertables would most likely be vinyl so any kind of vinyl patching stuff would probably work or they probably make somehting specifically for that application

ATOMICMAN · Post by **ATOMICMAN** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:12 pm

good ole epoxy gets my vote. rough up the edges and glue it shut.

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:17 pm

First off, let me just say "damn kids with nothing better to do than cause destruction

".

I think you should try a patch kit for pool inflatables or bicycle inner tubes. We have an inner tube repair kit that comes with round, self-stick clear dots about the size of a quarter. You might need a bunch of them, though.

Try the craft section of Wal-Mart. They usually have large rolls of clear vinyl for covering furniture or tables with. You might be able to take out the old plastic and make a new window.

Either way, convertibles are usually pretty cold in the winter.

http://felixwong.com/news/2006/12/conve ... placement/

Post by **Skyone** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:14 pm

Oh, THAT window.

Vinyl should be just fine then, yes.

Post by **benheck** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:11 am

I vote for junkyard hopping. Always fun, though it's starting to get cold out.

-Ben

kidw/32+systems · Post by **kidw/32+systems** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:11 pm

benheck wrote:I vote for junkyard hopping. Always fun, though it's starting to get cold out.

-Ben

No gule gun? Its kinda clear.

Post by **Triton** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:46 pm

thing i hate is there are ZERO u-pull or pick and pull type yards in my state that i can find, all of them round here you go tell them what you need and what make model year of car you have and they look it up on their computer and go get it and 9 times out of 10 overcharge you for the part! pisses me off, I know what i am looking for, might not know what year car irs from etc but ill know it when i see it and they claim its some kind of samn liability, hell ill sign a waiver just let me look at the junk!

Kyosho · Post by **Kyosho** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:15 am

Thanks for all the input guys, my car and I appreciate it. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet, but I'm definitely going to do something about it this weekend.

Triton wrote:thing i hate is there are ZERO u-pull or pick and pull type yards in my state that i can find, all of them round here you go tell them what you need and what make model year of car you have and they look it up on their computer and go get it and 9 times out of 10 overcharge you for the part! pisses me off, I know what i am looking for, might not know what year car irs from etc but ill know it when i see it and they claim its some kind of samn liability, hell ill sign a waiver just let me look at the junk!

You know, we used to have a few of those ones where you could wander the place and find what you need, now they're all like the ones you mentioned where they find it for you and charge you an arm, a leg, and perhaps a portion of your genitalia.

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:22 am

benheck wrote:I vote for junkyard hopping. Always fun, though it's starting to get cold out.

-Ben

When it cold is the best time to go junkyard hopping around here. Because all the poisonous and non-poisonous snakes are not out. It would ruin a perfectly good junkyard hopping day to get bit by a copperhead.

Unlike some of you, we have a few u pick and pull yards out here. My dad is even friends with one of the junkyard owners around here. We sometime leave that junkyard without paying a dime. From that same yard. Me and my dad grabbed a set of 1970's American Racing Kreger look a likes wheels for $14 I think. The wheels have some chrome chipping.