Anyone replaced the windows in a dodger themselves

[Rich Stidger]

I am considering tackling this repair job myself in light of rather high (IMO) quotes from canvas and sail shops.If anyone has attempted this type of work, I would like to hear comments. How difficult it was, would you do it again, did you have previous sewing experience, how was the final result, etc. Also if there are pitfalls or things that you would do different next time, please tell me.It appears that for the same or less money than I am being quoted, I can buy a HD sewing machine and all the material I need. I then would have a machine that I could use for other repairs and projects.

 

[RichH]

Be 'fastidious' and dont expect a 'perfect job' ..

You will need a 'roller foot' to work the vinyl as standard sewing machine 'presser feet' can gouge, scar and skip on slippery vinyl. Use saran wrap or other protection on the vinyl so you dont scratch it, gouge it when sewing. Best is use a 'long arm' sewing machine otherwise you'll have a problem when 'turning the corners' that will require lots of re-rolling, etc. of the dodger while sewing.Be aware that in most cases when building a new dodger, etc. the windows are usually sewn onto 'uncut' sunbrella, almost 'fully stitched' and then the sunbrella is 'cut away' from the vinyl so that the panel is flat and not distorted, then the edges of the sunbrella is 'rolled and tucked' under (or have the edges 'bound') to finish. Putting new vinyl into an old dodger is hard because the sunbrella is obviously already cut-away (a long time ago). You can do it if you use double sided sailmakers basting tape to hold everything 'together' before sewing .... but its not going to be easy to get smooth and unpuckered results with the sunbrella 'edges' that are left. Repairs are difficult as the vinyl isnt 'forgiving' if you have to rip out a seam and start over as the sewing will punch needle holes .... and the more holes you punch the weaker it will be in service. Not an easy job for a novice; but, it can be done. You might want to consider to replace the whole panels that surround the vinyl as its much easier to sew vinyl on FLAT full panels than trying wrestle with the remaining 'edges' from the original. Keep young children away when doing this if you value their 'future polite vocabulary' ;-)

 

[timvg]

I paid to have mine done.

I also have 40.5. I replaced my dodger windows about 4 years ago for about $400. That even included having the dodger put back on the frame. Considering how much damage I would have done with my own sewing skills, it seemed resaonable to me.

 

[tom h]

my 2 cents

Well, seems like you can't sew. Or if you can, don't have a sewing machine. I went to my locally recommended sewing store to ask basic ally the same questions you are, and of the four shopers int he store, one was a lady of around 40, the other three looked like we had been working in the sewers or on a construction site all day. And we three knew more about the material and machines than the staff. The staff's comment overall was "We will never look at construction guys the same anymore!"My point is, just do it. Find a machine to use. Beg, borrow, steal it. Find one at a garage sale! I got mine for free while doing a job at a customers house. Then, buy some material and try it. There are a lot of places that replace the windows on Jeeps that you can call. The biggest thing I find in business is fear. People that are afraid to do anything. Once you try it, it is no big deal. Practice on some scrap, and soon, you will be making your own sails too!In other words. I'd go for buying the machine. If the windows need to be replaced, the fabric can't be too far behind. And if yo have a machine already, then making the dodger or bimini or whatever is going to be so simple to you...

 

[Steve Dion]

Good lesson to be learned too!

This may be a good lesson to learn for anyone having a new dodger made. Be sure that ALL the windows zip out. This makes replacement much easier.Sewing in old Sunbrella is not an easy chore for what I hear. Many of the canvas shops will "power wash" to canvas to remove the dirt & grit before attempting to sew the material.

 

[r.w.landau]

RichH, you can use the regular foot but you

have too protect the clear product being used. Some use tape or even brown paper that is used as template. Other things can be used also. The other option is to keep the foot on the sunberella side of the match-up. Steve, Zippers are good but they also have a life span. My dad had a bimini/dodger conection that failed on a family trip. The zipper was nylon and it decided not to connect to teeth from both sides of the bimini/dodger.I do think that the removable pieces is a good idea for atleast one replacement.It is also nice when the weather is hot to zip out the clear for the air.r.w.landau

 

[Rick D]

Um, Rich....

...I have made plenty of canvas, buying gear and renting machines from Sailrite when it was in LA. I have made tiller covers, biminis, sail covers, and a dodger. The dodger was the most difficult by several magnitudes, cost 70% of having one made, kinda looked 'different' and the hardest part... by far... was the sewing of the windows in. My wife and I are still married, but it was a close call. It's worth learning the skill, but that isn't the place I'd want to start. Rick D.

 

[Don Radcliffe]

Shortcut to window replacement

To avoid a lot of the problems you will encounter with lining up the windows and the sunbrella, leave the old windows in place and stich the new window material over the old. Then trim the new material to fit and cut out the old window material with some small scissors.Not quite as elegant as ripping out the stitching on the old window and wrestling with double-sided tape, but a lot faster and easier! You will need a pretty heavy duty machine to sew through the two layers of window material.PS Stratoglass is the preferred window material--much less distortion and a lot longer life