Okay. Went to Home Depot today, sourced everything except the frame. Before the frame its looking to cost me around $160. The frame is probably going to be the most expensive part but overall its not too bad.
I think I am going to go with a "key locking hasp" (pictured below) to hold it down. I just have to make sure the same key will unlock all 4, because 4 different keys to get my roof off would stink :P
To weather proof it, I am buying some weather proofing strip that I also found at the Depot. Can't find it online, but I found it in-store.
I am using a 36x72 Lexan sheet for the roof. I will most likely cut it down to 36x60. I don't have access to my wagon at the moment (its at the parents, can't fit it at the apartment) so I can't get the exact measurements. I am hoping to get it as large as possible, but I also hope it is able to fit inside of my hatch (even if it hangs over the back seats when they are up).
Finally I am weatherproofing the frame to wagon area with a water-proof caulk made for metal and aluminum.
So far, anyone see any issues with my plan? I don't have access to my wagon so I am sure something is wrong with my plan :P The only thing I can think of at the moment is if the hasps won't reach between the wagon and the window.
Also, I'm not sure if I should put the lock or the hasp on the window. If I put the hasp on the window, it may look a little tacky. If I put the hasp on the wagon, when the window is out, the hasps may flap in the wind which would get annoying.
Well, voice your opinion, (constructively) criticize the hell out of me
Seems fine to me. I used silicone caulk for aluminum as well and had no problems. I think you should put the hasp on the glass. I don't really like the lock/hasp as I feel like it is too bulky but that's just a personal preference. Will you install the lock on the inside of the car or the outside? If the inside how will you mount it?
I planned on the outside. I haven't been able to get to my wagon (hopefully tomorrow, if I don't go check out an RT4WD instead ) so I haven't been able to get a grasp on how I could have mounted it on the inside.
Personally I would prefer the inside, as it would look a lot cleaner to the outside.
why not use a cam lock on the lexan, you can make your own arm to "lock" it to the frame
I had one in my minivan back in the day and also a '77 civic
I still have a complete one sitting in the garage... hmmmmm
If you go with the hasps then I would say put the lock on the inside on the body of the car and then put the part that folds over that gets locked into place on the glass. I don't see too much of a problem as long as you mount the lock piece on the edge where the glass will meet the metal of the car.
If I end up doing this i'll just make it so it stays in place to make it a bit easier. But then again having one that is removable would be nice as well.
hmm options options haha.
So let me wrap my mind around this, as I can't seem to remember how those work. I just remember them from cabinets and such. I am guessing I would mount it so that the arm would swing over the glass, preventing it from being pushed up?
So let me wrap my mind around this, as I can't seem to remember how those work. I just remember them from cabinets and such. I am guessing I would mount it so that the arm would swing over the glass, preventing it from being pushed up?
Drill a hole in the lexan, mount the cam so it will catch the underside of the frame when locked. (keylock on the outside)
So let me wrap my mind around this, as I can't seem to remember how those work. I just remember them from cabinets and such. I am guessing I would mount it so that the arm would swing over the glass, preventing it from being pushed up?
Drill a hole in the lexan, mount the cam so it will catch the underside of the frame when locked. (keylock on the outside)
Oh okay. That makes since. It would definately be more inconspicuous then my original plan. Good idea.
yeah haha that seems like the best idea. Let me know how this goes if you plan on doing this cause I might be up for it if It goes pretty smoothly.
My friend says that it'd look weird but I think it'd be bad ass xP Well then again almost everyone around me thinks the wagon period is dumb.
I'll show them! lol
Its not a civic wagon.... but My friend did his roof in plexi. If you want i can find out who and how it was done. it even matches the curvature of the roof. Very well done!
I finally picked up the wagon I had this mod planned for, now I just have to get the initiative.
My only issue is, this is my DD and a Michigan winter is coming soon. If I have leaks then, it's going to trash my interior. So I either have to get it done within the next week or two, or I have to wait until Spring...
Im not sure if you watch street customs, its a show on HD Theater for direct tv and I think it might be on TLC not sure tho but I also cant remember the car the did but did a plexi glass roof, oh yea in was in a prototype vechicle for a rich guy in the middle east. The episode should be called something about the range rover storm. Maybe try to google it or something to see how they did and get tips and ideas for them. IDK just a thought
Comments
Sorry about that.
I think I am going to go with a "key locking hasp" (pictured below) to hold it down. I just have to make sure the same key will unlock all 4, because 4 different keys to get my roof off would stink :P
To weather proof it, I am buying some weather proofing strip that I also found at the Depot. Can't find it online, but I found it in-store.
I am using a 36x72 Lexan sheet for the roof. I will most likely cut it down to 36x60. I don't have access to my wagon at the moment (its at the parents, can't fit it at the apartment) so I can't get the exact measurements. I am hoping to get it as large as possible, but I also hope it is able to fit inside of my hatch (even if it hangs over the back seats when they are up).
Finally I am weatherproofing the frame to wagon area with a water-proof caulk made for metal and aluminum.
So far, anyone see any issues with my plan? I don't have access to my wagon so I am sure something is wrong with my plan :P The only thing I can think of at the moment is if the hasps won't reach between the wagon and the window.
Also, I'm not sure if I should put the lock or the hasp on the window. If I put the hasp on the window, it may look a little tacky. If I put the hasp on the wagon, when the window is out, the hasps may flap in the wind which would get annoying.
Well, voice your opinion, (constructively) criticize the hell out of me
Personally I would prefer the inside, as it would look a lot cleaner to the outside.
I had one in my minivan back in the day and also a '77 civic
I still have a complete one sitting in the garage... hmmmmm
If I end up doing this i'll just make it so it stays in place to make it a bit easier. But then again having one that is removable would be nice as well.
hmm options options haha.
Oh okay. That makes since. It would definately be more inconspicuous then my original plan. Good idea.
My friend says that it'd look weird but I think it'd be bad ass xP Well then again almost everyone around me thinks the wagon period is dumb.
I'll show them! lol
My only issue is, this is my DD and a Michigan winter is coming soon. If I have leaks then, it's going to trash my interior. So I either have to get it done within the next week or two, or I have to wait until Spring...