I've had the displeasure of installing a non OEM top on a Beetle. I will NEVER do that again. It fit like crap and I was ashamed to have my name attached to it. It was an insurance job, the adjuster was hell bent on screwing things up every step of the way. It took 5 people to get the top to latch shut, I expected the top to rip or the rear window to shatter. I informed the owner to not open the top for 2 weeks, then hope for the best.
I know how to do tops, I've done a lot of them, factory trained. That aftermarket top was just garbage
I don't remember the specific vendor of that turd, but I think they were some west coast outfit. I'll install a NBC top, but only OEM shells.
Pencil,
Appreciate your feedback on this. TopsOnline is out of the West Coast but they offer both EasyOn and Robbins tops. From what I have read the Robbins tops are much better quality and even offer the OE fabric as well. EasyOn is a slightly cheaper top and the actually top fabric may be a key to the overall quality as well?? There is a $150 alone in the fabric difference.
I will check into the dealer top pricing and compare it to Robbins and also see if I can find more info on the Robbins top for the Beetle.
Also here is the info from TopsOnline regarding the rear window glass adhesive -
"Factory style 1 piece Top with Heated / Defroster Glass window. Made with original style metal brackets to connect to control arms on top frame, which guide glass when top is operated. The latest window bonding system technology (SGR Maxbond by EZ ON, Permalok by Robbins) offers a lifetime warranty for the window bond; the convertible top includes a 6-year warranty."
As for the OP and his window that is totally out, not sure if once the window is out the top can try to shrink?? It may be part of the issue?? These tops are tight and put a lot of pressure around the rear window. Do you know how long your glass had been out of the top and where do you live? I am also thinking the environment/temps may play a bit into top shrinking???
Make sure you are using the correct or better option on the window adhesive. 3M makes least 3 different urethane window adhesives. You should use the adhesive in the white tube, I believe it is part number 08609 3M Windo-Weld Super Fast Urethane at about $18-$22 per tube. If you are using this adhesive and you are having problems, then your top may have shrunk due to the window being out for too long?
I have found a number of other posts, non VW where rear windows have come out unglued and many have used Rhino Glue. Rhino Glue is available by mail order only. It is not like Gorilla Glue. Gorilla Glue is polyurethane based and is yellow. I think Rhino Glue is a "Krazy Glue/cyanoacrylate" based glue. Maybe a gel like Krazy Glue??
Not sure I would jump all over Rhino Glue just yet, suggest you search a bit. But if you are close to your last resort, it may be something to consider. I am not sure with these tops if the rear window comes all the way out you will have as much luck getting the window back in as compared to some other model cars??? This top has a lot of stretch in a lot of different directions and it makes the rear window a critical part of the fabric stretch from what I can tell??