replacing top on a 96' Cabrio?

In article <sa6dnarBy6F6C6SiRVn-iA DeleteThis @speakeasy.net>,
"wkearney99" <wkearney99 DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote:

 > So does no one have a story on what it takes to replace the top on a 96
 > Cabrio?
 > Is it just a matter to loosening the various hold-down points and
 > reinstalling?
 > Or is there stitching of material involved?
 >
 > And, any opinions on doing this job in vinyl again versus using a fabric? If
 > so, who's top/material works best?
 >

Bill,

Your name sounds familiar. Did you frequent this group years ago? I
seem to recall a Bill Kearney from Maryland with a Scirocco. Anyway,
here's a list of web sites that I've saved over the years that might
have info. Some of the top dealers may offer instructions or could give
you advice as to whether this is a DIY job. Note that some of these
URLs may be dead:

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.jbugs.com/catalog.php3?cart=&c_category=932197579" target="_blank">http://www.jbugs.com/catalog.php3?cart=&c_category=932197579</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.cabrioworld.com/acb/showprod.cfm?&DID=14&ObjectGroup_ID=7&CATI" target="_blank">http://www.cabrioworld.com/acb/showprod.cfm?&DID=14&ObjectGroup_ID=7&CATI</a>
D=2
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://convertibletops.com/volkswagen.html" target="_blank">http://convertibletops.com/volkswagen.html</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.mtmfg.com/rabcab.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.mtmfg.com/rabcab.shtml</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.autostyles.com/VW8093%20Volkswagen%20Rabbit%20Convertible%20To" target="_blank">http://www.autostyles.com/VW8093%20Volkswagen%20Rabbit%20Convertible%20To</a>
ps%20from%20Robbins.htm
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.autotops.com/" target="_blank">http://www.autotops.com/</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://WWW.AABESTCO.COM/" target="_blank">http://WWW.AABESTCO.COM/</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.MTMFG.com/" target="_blank">http://www.MTMFG.com/</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tmiproducts.com/vw.htm" target="_blank">http://tmiproducts.com/vw.htm</a>

===========================================================

Bill maslin DeleteThis @cvm.msstate.edu
78 Rabbit...10/77 - 4/02 82 Convertibles(s)...since 93
95 Golf GL...since 11/99 02 Passat 1.8T Tip GLS...since 4/02
(Remove the CAT to email me)<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: replacing top on a 96' Cabrio? 

go to the "cabrioletandcabrio" group
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/cabrioletandcabrio/messages" target="_blank">http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/cabrioletandcabrio/messages</a> on yahoo.
Join the group (free) and then you can look at the files. In the files there
is one from forest king that describes in detail how to replace the top. I
did it on my 81 it is very involved but I'm glad that I did it myself. The
canvas top looks much better, I think it will last longer so I spent the
additional bucks.

HTH
Steve




"wkearney99" <wkearney99 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:sa6dnarBy6F6C6SiRVn-iA@speakeasy.net...
 >
 > So does no one have a story on what it takes to replace the top on a 96
Cabrio?
 > Is it just a matter to loosening the various hold-down points and
reinstalling?
 > Or is there stitching of material involved?
 >
 > And, any opinions on doing this job in vinyl again versus using a fabric?
If
 > so, who's top/material works best?
 >
 > -Bill Kearney
 >
 > "wkearney99" <wkearney99 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
 > news:cNucnQu2T92hs4KiXTWJhw@speakeasy.net...
  > > How involved is replacing the vinyl convertible top on a 96' Cabrio
(Golf III)
  > >
  > > If it's involved, can anyone recommend a shop in the MD/DC/VA metro
area?
  > >
  > > What's the average price to replacing it?
  > >
  > > The top itself is starting to rip, apparently from material failure, it
got
 > sort
  > > of sticky last Fall and has gone downhill from there. A few
stress-related
  > > tears are starting to appear. The inside headliner is in great shape
and the
  > > window with it's defroster is in working order. The rubber around the
window
  > > might be getting rather old, however.
  > >
  > > So, is this easy enough to replace on a weekend? I replaced a top on
'68
  > > Chevelle some years ago and I'm not at all eager to repeat that episode.
 > Given
  > > the VW uses a one piece molded top I'm guessing it might be simpler to
replace
  > > that the old multi-piece canvas type.
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: replacing top on a 96' Cabrio?