Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Glass vs acrylic roof?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 09:48 AM
  #1  
scottydog's Avatar
scottydog
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Nevada City CA
Default Roofs- GM vs aftermarket?

I've decided to pick up a semi-transparent roof for my 04 coupe. Any problems/preferences/opinions? Best source? The corvette shop down in San Jose has some used ones for 300 new aftermarket 700.

Ebay prices for used seem to be pushing 5-6 bills plus shipping. At that rate Fichtner's new price of $900 is looking better and better.

Thanks

Scottydog

Last edited by scottydog; Apr 8, 2005 at 12:02 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 10:05 AM
  #2  
Humanoid 2.0's Avatar
Humanoid 2.0
Team Owner
20 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
Community Influencer
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,279
Likes: 281
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
Default

Technically they are made out of Lexan http://www.gelexan.com/gelexan/

Check the for sale forum, they usually sell for around $500 used in good condition. However, from what I have read shipping can be an issue with a lot of them getting damaged. So it is better if you can find someone close to pick one up.

Once you get it use a product like Plexus plastic cleaner http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/plexus.html

Using glass cleaners with ammonia can damage it.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 10:21 AM
  #3  
Avanti's Avatar
Avanti
Race Director
25 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,910
Likes: 6,701
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Default

"...semi-transparent..." Huh? Meaning tinted, right?

The plastic tops are supposed to be transparent. Perhaps, just a matter of word choice?

Just want you to know what you are getting. Oh, and NONE are really glass.

All the best.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 10:35 AM
  #4  
scottydog's Avatar
scottydog
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Nevada City CA
Default

I am looking at the tinted ones.

So the GM top isn't glass?
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 10:39 AM
  #5  
Humanoid 2.0's Avatar
Humanoid 2.0
Team Owner
20 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
Community Influencer
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,279
Likes: 281
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
Default

Originally Posted by scottydog
I am looking at the tinted ones.

So the GM top isn't glass?
They are Lexan and they are all tinted.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 10:49 AM
  #6  
Avanti's Avatar
Avanti
Race Director
25 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,910
Likes: 6,701
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Default

Do you know what those things would weigh if they were made from glass? Even the magnesium frame wouldn't help!
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 10:59 AM
  #7  
sailohio's Avatar
sailohio
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 0
From: The second childhood is the best one of all.
Default

Originally Posted by StephenT
Technically they are made out of Lexan http://www.gelexan.com/gelexan/

Check the for sale forum, they usually sell for around $500 used in good condition. However, from what I have read shipping can be an issue with a lot of them getting damaged. So it is better if you can find someone close to pick one up.

Once you get it use a product like Plexus plastic cleaner http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/plexus.html

Using glass cleaners with ammonia can damage it.
Thanks for the tip.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 11:20 AM
  #8  
artfahie's Avatar
artfahie
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Bar Mills Maine
Default

Lexan is literally "unbreakable", although clear or white lexan is subject to yellowing, the smoked-gray roof would be unlikely to reflect that issue. Glass would be more prone to magnifying the intensity of the sun's heat on the car interior... another good reason for the lexan!

Art Fahie
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 12:05 PM
  #9  
scottydog's Avatar
scottydog
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Nevada City CA
Default

I get the feeling my original question should have been GM vs aftermarket so I changed the header.

I'm going to run down to Corvette Clinic San Jose and see what they have this afternoon. Thanks for all the advice.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 12:49 PM
  #10  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,656
Likes: 24,661
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Usually the lexan roof sells for about $500-600 here on the forum, especially if it is in top condition. If you can get a very nice top for $300, I'd say go for it. You may have to adjust the mounting points a bit to get it to fit on your car.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 02:01 PM
  #11  
vette4540's Avatar
vette4540
Advanced
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Dothan AL
Default

when looking up thru my top, it looks like it got some imperfections in it? is this normal? it has the factory tint same as the top of front the windshield. but appears to contain billions of small cracks. but i work around lexan and know that couldn't be the case. any insights?
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 02:37 PM
  #12  
nwdanner's Avatar
nwdanner
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Overland Park KS
Default

Originally Posted by vette4540
when looking up thru my top, it looks like it got some imperfections in it? is this normal? it has the factory tint same as the top of front the windshield. but appears to contain billions of small cracks. but i work around lexan and know that couldn't be the case. any insights?
Those billions of small cracks are the result of "acrylic crazing" in the top. Search for "crazing" on this site and you'll find more information than you care to read in one sitting. My top has them too and, so far, the GM warranty will not replace it.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 03:23 PM
  #13  
vette4540's Avatar
vette4540
Advanced
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Dothan AL
Default

bummer, but thanks for the info
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 03:28 PM
  #14  
C5 4 ME's Avatar
C5 4 ME
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,338
Likes: 66
From: Whittier California
Default

Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Usually the lexan roof sells for about $500-600 here on the forum, especially if it is in top condition. If you can get a very nice top for $300, I'd say go for it. You may have to adjust the mounting points a bit to get it to fit on your car.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 04:21 PM
  #15  
Tom/99's Avatar
Tom/99
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,792
Likes: 153
From: Houston,Texas USA
Default

I've had the 'glass' tops on my Corvettes since 1990. I just wax them like I do the rest of the car. So far, no problems.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 06:23 PM
  #16  
screw991le's Avatar
screw991le
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 4
From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Default

The "glass top" is made of Polycarbonate
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 06:59 PM
  #17  
scottydog's Avatar
scottydog
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: Nevada City CA
Default

Well thanks to all for the advice. I went down to Corvette Clinic San Jose and bought a new one for 750. Looks and feels outstanding!

Those gearheads in SJ have a LOT of good stuff! Nice guys too. Check 'em out sometime...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Glass vs acrylic roof?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:15 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE