Help How do i remove the T tops glass from the mounting bracket?

GoBoGo · 12-24-2008, 06:18 AM

Just like the title says I Recently Had custom made Fiber T Tops for my mr2 but now i can't seem to be able to take of the t top glass off the metal brackets what's the best way of doing this without breaking the glass?

Jackstand Queen · 12-24-2008, 12:42 PM

You could try drilling out the bolts that pass through the glass.

I've dissassembled the T-tops before, and didn't see any obvious or good way to remove the glass from the locking mechanism.

I wonder if you could heat up the glass and dip it in icewater to create a large spiderweb fracture?

By the way, I'm envious of your fibreglass replacements. Could you tell us where you got them, how much, and availability?

GoBoGo · 12-25-2008, 05:56 AM

I already got the locking mechanism off its just the glass that's on the metal piece it has some type of glue holding it to the glass? i am going to buy a heat gun and see what happnes. As for the t tops i got them here in Okinawa japan from a shop that makes custom fiber parts from full body kits to sailing boats(small ones 1 or 2 people type boats). The name of the shop is VIP its well known here in Okinawa for there good work they are pricey do my t tops cost me 25,000 Yen so like 300 bucks. but its not normal fiber if you could tell by the pics its cross hatched fiber kinda like carbon fiber i don't know the exact name but i know its a lot stronger than normal fiber. the T tops are perfect they even have the holes there so strong that the guy that maid them for me told me that if i could break them with my hands in front of him he would make me another pair for free(i don't know if he was joking or not as Japanese humor is different). if you would like a pair let me know i could get something set up for you. here are some pictures

Maruki-kun · 12-25-2008, 02:16 PM

it's fiberglass cloth and not just fiberglass

GoBoGo · 12-25-2008, 06:44 PM

Yes i believe its a combination of both.

Maruki-kun · 12-26-2008, 12:09 AM

I wasn't saying it was both, but that it was this stuff

GoBoGo · 12-26-2008, 02:34 AM

Thank you. Your more knowledgeable on this subject than me.

MANDALAY · 12-26-2008, 06:29 AM

Yes its cloth. Because of its weave it will be stronger.
But not really wanting to put a damper on your purchase if they used common resin you are going to see them buckel and change shape with heat , ie sun

I dare say if you put it under hot tap water it will deform and recommend that you dont use them as you will have no seal in the rain.
Ask if they used a polyester or a vinyl ester ( DOW chemicals )
Polyeter deforms approx 50 degrees celcius and vinyl ester about 180 degrees celcius.
Big difference ! Think Maclaren F1 They used it and so do i on anything i make.

GoBoGo · 12-26-2008, 09:52 AM

Thanks for the info I called my friend and he said the used the same as they use on all there body kits i am sure they know what there doing like i said there a well known shop here in okinawa. besides if anything is to happen i get a full refund. thanks for the info.

GoBoGo · 12-26-2008, 10:14 AM

I am actually thinking of practicing with fiber glass is there any other tips you have for me beginner tips.

Jackstand Queen · 12-26-2008, 02:05 PM

I have a fiberglass t-top DYI project that I have put off for a couple of years. I used an epoxy system suitable for aircraft as resin. I ordered some special (and spendy) 1/2" deformable foam core. The core is the secret to moving into composite fiberglass construction. When you go with composites, strength, impact resistance, increases an order of magnitude or more. Composite just means fiberglass glued onto a core on either side. The core could be alumnum, wood, or even foam packing type material (not styrofoam though). The whole process is messy as hell too.

Why haven't a proceeeded with my DYI T-tops? I'd have to build a box to hold and make a negative mold. Then I'd have to make the mold. Then I'd have to prep the mold. The epoxy I'm using gives off toxic fumes (true for almost every resin type). Then I'd have to fabricate the part finally. Special paints, and weird crap would be needed throughout the process. And things can turn out VERY WRONG at the end. (Don't ask me how I know this)

I've used aluminum fiberglass composites to secure my body kit and intercooler. I took 1/8" thick, by 1/2" wide pure aluminum strips and wrapped about 4 layers fiberglass around them. They are flexible, yet so strong that I could not break them. Very light too.

GoBoGo · 12-26-2008, 10:18 PM

That's really cool bro thanks for the information.

MANDALAY · 12-27-2008, 03:41 AM

The key word used above was EPOXY and also making composites.
Problem i think you will have is that its just cloth and polyester , no real structure or even webing.
I would bet that they just used polyester. It has a low deforming tempurature. Most aftermarket use this due to cost. But you wont see LOTUS or Maclaren or and F1 team using it.
What is described above making moulds , you can see on my thread BEAMS supercharge.
Its a long process and even more tecnical than my parts because you have to use vacuum for the perfect results.
Many technical schools have courses , you should check it out

12-24-2008, 06:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
GoBoGo Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Caloocan, Philippines Posts: 91 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Help How do i remove the T tops glass from the mounting bracket? Just like the title says I Recently Had custom made Fiber T Tops for my mr2 but now i can't seem to be able to take of the t top glass off the metal brackets what's the best way of doing this without breaking the glass?

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12-24-2008, 12:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jackstand Queen Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 840 Thanks: 75 Thanked 64 Times in 60 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	You could try drilling out the bolts that pass through the glass. I've dissassembled the T-tops before, and didn't see any obvious or good way to remove the glass from the locking mechanism. I wonder if you could heat up the glass and dip it in icewater to create a large spiderweb fracture? By the way, I'm envious of your fibreglass replacements. Could you tell us where you got them, how much, and availability?

12-25-2008, 05:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
GoBoGo Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Caloocan, Philippines Posts: 91 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I already got the locking mechanism off its just the glass that's on the metal piece it has some type of glue holding it to the glass? i am going to buy a heat gun and see what happnes. As for the t tops i got them here in Okinawa japan from a shop that makes custom fiber parts from full body kits to sailing boats(small ones 1 or 2 people type boats). The name of the shop is VIP its well known here in Okinawa for there good work they are pricey do my t tops cost me 25,000 Yen so like 300 bucks. but its not normal fiber if you could tell by the pics its cross hatched fiber kinda like carbon fiber i don't know the exact name but i know its a lot stronger than normal fiber. the T tops are perfect they even have the holes there so strong that the guy that maid them for me told me that if i could break them with my hands in front of him he would make me another pair for free(i don't know if he was joking or not as Japanese humor is different). if you would like a pair let me know i could get something set up for you. here are some pictures

12-25-2008, 02:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Maruki-kun Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Millington, MD Posts: 2,487 Thanks: 9 Thanked 74 Times in 67 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	it's fiberglass cloth and not just fiberglass

12-25-2008, 06:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
GoBoGo Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Caloocan, Philippines Posts: 91 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Yes i believe its a combination of both.

12-26-2008, 12:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
Maruki-kun Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Millington, MD Posts: 2,487 Thanks: 9 Thanked 74 Times in 67 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	I wasn't saying it was both, but that it was this stuff

12-26-2008, 02:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
GoBoGo Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Caloocan, Philippines Posts: 91 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Thank you. Your more knowledgeable on this subject than me.

12-26-2008, 06:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
MANDALAY Beams Owners Group Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: victoria AUSTRALIA Posts: 4,201 Thanks: 136 Thanked 112 Times in 107 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	Yes its cloth. Because of its weave it will be stronger. But not really wanting to put a damper on your purchase if they used common resin you are going to see them buckel and change shape with heat , ie sun I dare say if you put it under hot tap water it will deform and recommend that you dont use them as you will have no seal in the rain. Ask if they used a polyester or a vinyl ester ( DOW chemicals ) Polyeter deforms approx 50 degrees celcius and vinyl ester about 180 degrees celcius. Big difference ! Think Maclaren F1 They used it and so do i on anything i make.

12-26-2008, 09:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
GoBoGo Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Caloocan, Philippines Posts: 91 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Thanks for the info I called my friend and he said the used the same as they use on all there body kits i am sure they know what there doing like i said there a well known shop here in okinawa. besides if anything is to happen i get a full refund. thanks for the info.

12-26-2008, 10:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
GoBoGo Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Caloocan, Philippines Posts: 91 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I am actually thinking of practicing with fiber glass is there any other tips you have for me beginner tips.

12-26-2008, 02:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jackstand Queen Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 840 Thanks: 75 Thanked 64 Times in 60 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I have a fiberglass t-top DYI project that I have put off for a couple of years. I used an epoxy system suitable for aircraft as resin. I ordered some special (and spendy) 1/2" deformable foam core. The core is the secret to moving into composite fiberglass construction. When you go with composites, strength, impact resistance, increases an order of magnitude or more. Composite just means fiberglass glued onto a core on either side. The core could be alumnum, wood, or even foam packing type material (not styrofoam though). The whole process is messy as hell too. Why haven't a proceeeded with my DYI T-tops? I'd have to build a box to hold and make a negative mold. Then I'd have to make the mold. Then I'd have to prep the mold. The epoxy I'm using gives off toxic fumes (true for almost every resin type). Then I'd have to fabricate the part finally. Special paints, and weird crap would be needed throughout the process. And things can turn out VERY WRONG at the end. (Don't ask me how I know this) I've used aluminum fiberglass composites to secure my body kit and intercooler. I took 1/8" thick, by 1/2" wide pure aluminum strips and wrapped about 4 layers fiberglass around them. They are flexible, yet so strong that I could not break them. Very light too.

12-26-2008, 10:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
GoBoGo Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Caloocan, Philippines Posts: 91 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	That's really cool bro thanks for the information.

12-27-2008, 03:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
MANDALAY Beams Owners Group Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: victoria AUSTRALIA Posts: 4,201 Thanks: 136 Thanked 112 Times in 107 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	The key word used above was EPOXY and also making composites. Problem i think you will have is that its just cloth and polyester , no real structure or even webing. I would bet that they just used polyester. It has a low deforming tempurature. Most aftermarket use this due to cost. But you wont see LOTUS or Maclaren or and F1 team using it. What is described above making moulds , you can see on my thread BEAMS supercharge. Its a long process and even more tecnical than my parts because you have to use vacuum for the perfect results. Many technical schools have courses , you should check it out