Glass Roof Installation: Problems & Solutions

Hello everyone,

Last summer, my wife already missed having a sunroof in our Ibiza, just like she had in her previous Peugeot 205 (of course, the Ibiza doesn't have air conditioning ).

Now there are glass roofs available for retrofitting, and it seems that registering the modification in the vehicle documents is no longer a problem.

But how does it actually perform in practice, especially concerning medium-term rust issues and sealing?
If these things are difficult to seal properly and/or start rusting after 3 years and fall on your head, then we'll just leave it.

Does anyone have any experience with this or can recommend any products (or sources for relevant reviews)?

So, a close friend of mine had a Webasto sunroof (sliding and tilting) installed in her Ford KA. It's been there since 1998 and still works perfectly.

Nowadays, the glass panels can even be recessed between the roof and the headliner; in this older model, however, the glass is still on the vehicle's roof when it's fully open. But even here, there are no problems. However, it depends on the specific model.

Hi, you purist.

A few years ago, I had an Audi 80. I had a Farmont (or something similar) pop-up sunroof installed. I drove the car for another five years after that. It was actually quite tight and didn't have any problems. If I were to get one again today, I wouldn't install a pop-up sunroof. The opening angle is rather small, so the ventilation isn't great, not to mention the wind noise. Either a proper sliding sunroof or nothing at all. Of course, the original ones installed by the factory are the best option.

Here's a tip: Have it installed by a specialized workshop. First, they have the necessary tools like crimpers and so on, and second, you usually get a leak guarantee of 2-5 years!

Hello Ulf,

I already installed a Webasto glass sunroof in an Opel back in 1989.
I even rebuilt it after 10 years and installed it in a Golf car.
It's all possible without any problems! Use a jigsaw (with the pendulum action turned off) and an HSS blade.
After that, I installed a Webasto Top-Slider auxiliary heater in my old Passat (manufactured in 1989).
After I damaged my car, I ended up getting a Volkswagen Golf II.
Tochter eingebaut, da funktioniert es wunderbar und das seit 3 Jahren. Furthermore,
I installed a Webasto Topslider Large Comfort auxiliary heater in my wife's Passat (year 1999).
Electric installed – only the finest quality (even with a built-in sun visor).

Since I'm a sunroof enthusiast, an aftermarket sunroof is a great thing for me.
I would definitely do it again. Regarding your question about the rust: on that...
I also didn't have any rust on the edges of my Opel, even after 10 years.
I've never had a garage in my life.

Take a look at www.webasto.de.

Jürgen wrote:

Regarding your question about the rust: on that... I also didn't have any rust on the edges of my Opel, even after 10 years. I've never had a garage in my life. Take a look at www.webasto.de

.
Hi Jürgen,

I've already taken a look at Webasto .

How did you protect the roof edges from rust?

Hi,

In my old Polo, which didn't have air conditioning, I had a standard sunroof, which was quite practical. Now in my Ibiza with air conditioning (*grin*), I actually don't need it much, or would only have used it for free.

What I'm interested in regarding the aftermarket parts is:

"VW's sunroofs typically have these drain tubes that run along the roof frame to channel water that has leaked inside and direct it downwards (and which can become a nuisance if they get clogged). How is this handled in this case?"

In the simplest way, there should be no place where water can penetrate (the roof only slopes upwards, or upwards and backwards, so that it always rests on the seals). Or is it somehow more complicated (e.g., with roofs that are recessed)?

In his first post, Ulf mentioned the entry – is something like that even necessary for sliding roofs?

Best regards,

January.

Jan6K wrote:

In his first post, Ulf mentioned the entry - is something like that even necessary for flat roofs?

Hi Jan,

At least in the early 1980s, it was registered.

I still remember the gleam of the Renault 5 that my father bought from the dealer's lot, including the optional sliding sunroof.
In the original entry, which stated "car closed," an official stamp had changed it to "car open."

I dare not hope that things are different today...

Hello Jan,

For the Webasto roofs I have installed so far, no additional components are required.
Drain hoses. The water simply accumulates around the glass and above it.
Poetry - it actually does [work] - but you should use it after rain or a car wash.
Drive for a while before opening the roof, and replace the seal annually.
Handle with care!

Hello Ulf,

I didn't do anything to the Opel; there was no rust because it was always kept dry.
For the other vehicles, I used a standard anti-corrosion primer.
made from materials purchased at a hardware store!

Modern roofs do not need to be registered, provided that...
The vehicle into which it is installed can be found in the included documentation.
'Inform before releasing!' For some types, an additional bar may also be required.
(reinforcement) to be removed from under the roof. In the case of the Passat, this part is...
Stuck on and difficult to remove!

By the way:
In my Golf, I have an original GSD exhaust system, which is significantly louder.
like the retrofit roof from Webasto in my wife's Passat!

@ulf

Regarding the seal between the roof and the body: I think the roof has an integrated frame that sits on top of the roof. If you use a good sealant (like 'Terostat,' which is commonly used in the camping industry to seal windows, etc.) when installing it around the frame, you should be fine and everything should be watertight. This type of sealant remains permanently elastic.

Hello m3_bremse,

klar haben die Dächer einen Einbaurahmen. He participated in the...
The bottom is a closed-cell foam seal.
'This is sufficient for the initial assembly. If you want to expand the roof...'
wiederverwendet, sollte man es naß einsetzen. I have it for that.
I always use black acrylic sealant from the hardware store.
You can easily wipe away any excess material with a damp cloth.
that oozes out, wipe it off, and the gap is so small that...
UV aging doesn't play a role. It has always worked so far.

Hi Ulf,

Have you ever actually thought about the extra weight? And completely apart from that, it also worsens the CW (drag coefficient) value by about 0.5%... which leads to increased fuel consumption...


....

Hello m3_bremse,

klar haben die Dächer einen Einbaurahmen. He participated in the...
The bottom is a closed-cell foam seal.
'This is sufficient for the initial assembly. If you want to expand the roof...'
wiederverwendet, sollte man es naß einsetzen. I have it for that.
I always use black acrylic sealant from the hardware store.
You can easily wipe away any excess material with a damp cloth.
that oozes out, wipe it off, and the gap is so small that...
Aging due to UV radiation doesn't play a role. It has always worked so far.

'I'm not familiar with the newer products, but with the Farmont product from back then, there was nothing suitable for initial assembly on the frame. The guys used a thick mass based on bitumen. I've often used Terostat for sealing flaps on caravans and had excellent results.'

Hello,
Okay, regarding modifications, additions, or other changes: My 3B Passat from the year 1997 has an original VW GSD (presumably a specific component). In the vehicle registration document, under item number 1, it states: 'PKW GESCHLOSSEN' (which translates to 'closed car'). It seems irrelevant for the registration process - or does it?
Bye.
Max.

Hi,

"Back then, my Polo was the same as Max's – 'car closed'."

"@Bertil: If you're going to tear the whole sky down while you're at it, then the weight will be balanced again... *grin*"

@Ulf: Please don't take this seriously and don't be angry, okay?

Best regards,

January.

Hello m3_bremse,

I'm talking about Webasto sunroofs. I had looked into Farmont before.
'I wasn't happy with the quality. Since then, I've only used...'
still Webasto.

I know about Terostat, but it's too expensive and I don't need that much.
It's a mess with the oozing material. I use...
Acrylic sealant from... (followed by the source/company).
DIY store - with very good results! It just takes a bit longer.
until dry.

Bertil wrote:

Hi Ulf, Have you ever actually thought about the extra weight? And completely apart from that, it also worsens the CW (drag coefficient) value by about 0.5%... which leads to increased fuel consumption... ....

Hi Bertil and also Jan,

It's not about my car, but about my wife's car - somehow different standards apply (which are completely incomprehensible to me ).

Regarding the cw value: neither Christel nor I are "Vmax" enthusiasts, so that's really not important - as long as the roof isn't opened at a 90° angle.

But seriously, if we're already joking about the weight: replacing a piece of roof panel with a primitive GSD (meaning just folding it up from the back) probably only makes a difference of a few kilograms in the end - definitely much less than a factory-installed electric slider .