Re: [T3] Aftermarket Sunroof?

[David Raistrick <keen@lenti.type2.com>]

On Thu, 2 Mar 2000, Per Lindgren wrote:

> Them glass roofs.....
...
> Dont ever install this kind of roof, my sisters 82 Golf has one of these, and
> it is permanantly sealed of with silicone stuff. It still leaks.

Bah.

With some exceptions, .modern. .quality. aftermarket sunroofs only leak if
you do something to .cause. them to leak.  Factory units (of any style)
will leak also for the same reasons.   Damage (age or other) to the seals,
loose hardware, lack of maintenace (clean seal/glass edge regularly, etc,
for pop-out removables...manual/power sliding units require a bit more
care), or, of course, poor installation.


If you have a leaky sunroof, TAKE IT TO A PROFESSIONAL.  Seriously.  Dont
duct tape it, dont silicone it, and for gods sake dont ignore it!  Get it
fixed by someone who .knows. how to fix sunroofs.  You may find that it is
not worth it to you to fix, so pay them the 25 bucks to have .them. seal
it.  They know how/where/why to seal a roof closed (thoguh we would much
rather fix one...), can do it so it doesnt look like sh!t, and do it so it
is reversable down the road w/o time consuming removal work.

Just like anything else on your car it needs to be maintained, and treated
carefully.  Sitting on the roof of the car is a sure way to destroy a
sunroof unit.  Sunroofs also have their own tricks and quirks.  Taking
them to a professional (that is, a professional sunroof shop, not your
average wrench.  Major difference) will help to ensure that certain
details are taken care of to ensure that it will not leak.  Just like a
transmission, sunroofs (while less complicated) have their own bit and
tricks that are required to fix them.  And some .are. more complicated
then your average VW transmision, too!


All of that said, older (early 80s, and especially prior to that)
aftermarket popout roofs really are trash.  And the are usually
replaceable with a much better model for a reasonable amount of money.
(250-400 depending on size).  Dont go to PepBoyz and buy that 50 dollar
unit on the shelf and have your neighbor jigsaw a hole in the roof.

Grab your phone book, or the phonebook for a major city near you, and
look in the yellow pages for "sunroofs."

Now, I do admit that not all shops are as qaulity minded as the one i
worked for, nor do they necessarily install quality parts.  If you want to
make the trek to North Augusta SC, CC-Tops is the place to go..;)
803-278-1333 to put a blatent ad for my old boss..;)

Brands to shy away from (personal opinions here) are Farmont power units
(and shops that install them primarily), CRL popups...To name the few that
stand out in my head.

For quality popups, look for Stretch Forming (SFC..do stay away from their
power top-sliders though).  Full power units, Webasto, some Hollandia
units, and hardware wise the newest line of Farmont units manufactured by
Aisen (pronouced i-sin)...these units are the same as used in the japanese
delivery 4-Runner (american 4runner also), Camry, and Avalon (similar unit
in the american Avalon IIRC..).  I .do not. recommend Farmont installers.
I say this as a Farmont/Skylite trained and certified installer, too.  The
quality of the installations done by the Farmont .representitive. were
piss poor.  2 of the 4 cars he "demonstrated" on were immediate leakers.
One I caught as i rolled out the door with it, the other returned the next
day.  Both of the other two were with my boss, who was a bit more pushy
about not letting the guy do exactly what he wanted..

Now i ramble.

Anyway, for repairs and good popups, go to a professional.  They work on
these things every day and know them inside and out.  

good luck...

...david

--
David Raistrick  '66 SO-44 Westy		keen@type2.com
  		  					in Guyton Ga


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