T-Tops question..

[GrndNatnl]

This isnt really a "tech" question but I cant think of anywhere else to post it.

Does anyone know how I could really, really, really darken a set of t-tops? They're already tinted [inside] in addition to factory tint, which is within the glass itself, but they're not qute dark enough to keep the sun from burnin up in the summer. Also makes for a less efficient AC. They're limo, but somewhat faded. Is it possible to get a double layer of tint on the inside perhaps? Or will that not work?

Also, is there any kind of inside covering or something that will fit up under the glass to block them off completely? I've heard of such a thing before, but nothing detailed on it. I wish someone would forge up some solid tops (non-glass) for them.

If anyone knows of some heavy-duty darkening methods or sun-blockers to fit up in them, let me know.

 

[JToups386]

I used to have a friend here in Houston, that made nice gray inserts for the T-Tops. He has since moved to KC and I've lost touch with him, but I'm sure there are still people who make them. I think he used to make them to sell through Conley's Performance Plus many years ago. I don't know if they still have or sell them, but you can certainly give them a call to find out. Talk to Janice Connely. 281-540-FAST.
My 99 Z28 came with them from the factory, but I've never actually used any on my GN's T-Tops. Wish I had em'.
I don't know why you couldn't add another layer of tint too. It might be worth talking to a professional tint shop. Shouldn't cost much. Worst case,,, go to an upholstery shop that does headliners and visors, and have them measure and make a set of inserts out of the same material they would use on sun visors.

Hopefully others on the board will have some ideas for you too.

 

[turbojimmy]

I got the shades from Conley's about a year ago. I've sent people there since then, though, and they say they've never heard of t-top shades?

I'm not sure where else you'd get them, but they work great. Total sun block. They wouldn't be hard to make. The quality of the Conley ones would be tough to duplicate, but to recreate the pattern itself out of some cosmetically acceptable material wouldn't be too hard.

Good luck,
Jim

 

[turboman38]

Sent you mail about T-Top shades.

 

[Huffer]

Hi Mark, I had the same problem. Went to Autozone and bought the darkest window tint film they had. It works great. No more fried forehead. A little tricky to install, but well worth the effort. Good luck.
Dave

 

[GNut]

T-Top Shades

We got'em... www.gnxdash.com New products

 

[TT/Ameasap]

Yes ,you can put new tint on the old tint. I just got it done on my truck(completly blackend out). It had factory tint that was dark but I wanted something really dark and they did it at zebart for $150 includes rear window, extra cab windows and side windows.
Shouln't cost much for you.

HTH
Bo

 

[GrndNatnl]

www.gnxdash.com.. cant load it.. dead link for some reason. Could be servers down I presume?

I found the ones on Conley's Perf Plus, listed as $69.00, but I'm not up to paying that much, or dealing with them claiming to not know what they are anymore.

I'll have to make a personal purchase from someone selling some, or at a swap meet maybe. Until then, I'll try to make my own. Anymore ideas as far as what material I should use? I was thinking some gray felt? But what to put inside? Cardboard? Thanks for the input guys.

 

[turbojimmy]

Jays GN has them, too:
http://www.jaysgn.com/dress.html

Down toward the bottom....

Jim

 

[GNut]

Answers to T-Top Shade Questions

Ours sell for $65.. and it's a bargain. I won't ever tell anyone they shouldn't attempt to make their own stuff BUT, in my experience and honest opinion you'll usually end up spending more money trying to fabricate something (been there done that!). Mistakes cost money... in materials and time. Usually you end up with something that looks like @#$% or doesn't work, and it cost you just as much as if you had bought a quality product. ALL of the Buick community vendors I know and have worked with started by producing things they needed for thier own cars and they do it because they love these cars. Then, someone see's what they have made and wants one. I don't know of many vendors who make these great products just to turn a dollar... Usually, they end up losing money in the beginning and maybe if they are lucky break even or are a few bucks ahead in the end. I started my company Performance Instruments for fun and because I loved the response I got from guys I'd build for. It made me FEEL GOOD.
Now, I still enjoy it, but not nearly as much as when I started. The day to day BS you have to deal with just to TRY to make eveyone happy is sometimes more than a mortal man can handle. But still we try. So my honest advice to you is this.. If you want to make something, give it a shot and expect to lose money and time. If you see something a vendor offers at a reasonable price and it's something you need or want.. BUY IT. I haven't met one Millionaire Buick Vendor yet..they're not making that much money from their products!

Just checked the website link... it's working now
www.gnxdash.com

 

[GrndNatnl]

GNut,

I like those! Thats exactly what I'm looking for. I'll see what I can do. I'm pushed for funds at the moment. And I like the second-layer tinting idea too. Thanks for the ideas and directional pointing guys!

 

[Silver 6]

In the short term and in the cheap, the fold out round sun shades sold at Kmart/Walmart for under $10.00 are an easy way to go. Get the standard size, not the large. They are actually kind of rectangular which works well for us and come as a pair. They pop right in and come out just as easy. I get just bit of slack which I put in the side toward the center bar. This gives me something to grab when I take them out. They come in colors or plain mylar. I have a silver set for the dash and a mylar set up top to block as much heat as I can. You can feel the difference as soon as you pop them in or out on a sunny day.

And when you pop them out they fold into themselves to make a small circle. I can store all four shields under the passenger seat and out of sight.

 

[GrndNatnl]

Never thought of those things either. Considering I work at a Western Auto, we carry some of those too. I'll have to take some measurements and go hunting for some of those. But I still like the specially made ones. They look great. But something cheap is within better budget at the current moment.

Too much traveling and spending. Going on my third road trip and second vacation in 4 months. And classes start back up next month. Broke, broke, broke...

 

[dpok69]

Guys, it is very easy to make the t-top shades.

I needed my headliner replaced, so i bought a replacement kit. When i was done doing the headliner I had enough material left over to make three T-top shades.

Goto home depot and buy 1/8" thick fiberboard (it almost looks like carboard but is thicker and sturdier. $3.00 per sheet 1/8"x3'X6'

Get the headliner material either from a kit or goto Joane's fabrics.
Kit is $49, Joanes fabric is approximate 7$ a yard

Buy adhesive spray glue if you did not get the headliner kit.

Measure out the board, cut, check fitment and then glue headliner. You might first want to make a template out of cardboard before cutting the board. The first board i cut came out short so i had to buy an extra sheet of fiberboard for the second shade.

The board is held in place by the interior plastic trim ledges and is also wedged between the t-top glass and the metal frame right before the weather seals on the car. To install or remove the shades you have to hold the t-top open.

Results are very profesional looking and it was my first time i ever upholstered anything.

 

[JToups386]

Good info on the do-it-yourself kit! I honestly did not know such a kit existed. However, per the minimal cost to buy the pre-designed version by GNut, and the quality of their product, it would be worth it to me to spend a small amount ($69) with a fellow Buick vendor/supplier, and save the Saturday afternoon for more desirable activities. For someone on a ground level car budget, your DIY method is good advice! For others who are williing to splurge a little, I think it's a worthy cause to help the GN guys continue their efforts. I also had my headliner in my T done 3 years ago, and it was only $100 for a professional job, and again worth paying someone who does this for a living, IMO.
Either way, there seems to be several options posted now, so everyone can form their own game plan. Thanks for the insight and ideas that I was unaware of.