putting in new canopy windows

nyx2k

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putting in new canopy windows

The rear window in my canopy has gone very brittle and milky colour.
ive got some new clear pvc but the old window looks like its sort of heat sealed in. is it possible to cut out the old window and use some form of double sided tape to redo or is it a specialist job.
it doesnt have to be perfect as its only an old dayboat.
 

AIDY

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Re: putting in new canopy windows

the two windows i've had replaced professionally have always been cut out flush with the canvas using a knife leaving the old stitching and hem maybe 15mm of the old window in place. the new window was just sewn over the top.
 

dickh

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Re: putting in new canopy windows

Depends how it's been fitted. If it has two rows of stitching proceed as follows. DON'T remove the old window; Remove the outer row of stitches and trim the window to the inner row; place an oversize piece of new material on top and secure with 6mm wide double sided tape(obtainable from Kayospruce or Pointnorth); stitch the new window in place; unstitch the old window and sew a second row of stitches; trim the new window.
Use the thickest bonded polyester thread and needle your machine can handle; use a Teflon foot on the sewing machine; take it slowly; practice on scrap pieces first.
Pointnorth can supply an instruction leaflet.
If your window is 'bonded' on then perhaps you proceed as above but the new window will be larger and just cut out the old window.
Good Luck!
 

nyx2k

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Re: putting in new canopy windows

there are no stitches on the old window at all. they seem to be heat sealed together.

can i just use tape or does it have to be stitched aswell
 

Twister_Ken

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Re: putting in new canopy windows

Before getting going, try cleaning the existing windows with a car-care product called T Cut Wax.

Worked for me. Went from this

pre.jpg


to this

post.jpg
 

nyx2k

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Re: putting in new canopy windows

ive already tried that as i valet cars and sometimes boats.
all the other windows were replaced last yr
it is also brittle and has torn in a few places.
 

Boathook

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Re: putting in new canopy windows

We did a window quite a few years ago and the plastic supplier told us to sew the new one in place before removing the old one. This would help to retain the shape of the canopy.
 

dickh

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Re: putting in new canopy windows

You would have to stitch as well as the double sided tape as the tape is just to hold in position to retain the shape and whilst sewing.
 

nyx2k

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Re: putting in new canopy windows

thanks for the help. i'll leave it until i see my mother with her sewing machine in late july. hand stitching seems a little too hard work
 

Heckler

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Re: putting in new canopy windows

DickH is right, cut an glue in place with double sided specialist tape, then I double stitched then I cut out the old windows. Friends look at the finished job in aamazement, it was SWMBO who did the most actually, we used a hand singer with std needles and foot plus thread that came with the other bits from pointnorth in holyhead.
Stu
 
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