Had my black B from new since 96, which as been regularly serviced etc but age is taking its toll a little so I am looking at replacing a few bits. Primarily need to get a new rear windscreen. Was told when I bought it that you could easily replace just the see through screen using a special zipper tool. All feedback so far has been that it is best to replace the whole vinyl roof, which seems OTT as there isn't anything wrong with it.

Also looking to get some simple alloys as factory fitted originals not looking too healthy.

And finally..... the lacquer on my headlights is peeling away. Been told to use a hair dryer to remove the remaining stuff. Any one suffered the problem, if so how did you deal with it.

Any suggestions gratefully received. Once done, I might even take the risk of bringing it out to meet some of its relatives

Ho soody,

I see you are in Harrow, pop along to the ACE Cafe on the 2nd Thursday of the month (Italian Motors night), there are usually 4 or 5 b's there......

I have spare screen material, if you can find someone who can sew the zip onto the material you are welcome to it. If your hood is in bad condition I would recommend a mohair replacement, if its fine then try to replace the window.

Depending on how much you are looking to spend you can pick up a nice set of alloys for your b quite cheaply. I kept my eye on eBay for a couple of months before finding a set of FOX Evo3 alloy wheels for £60 (piccie enclosed). I would suggest that you set a budget, decide on the size of rim (I decided to stick with 15" as I like the ride and handling although a lot of guys and gals have fitted 17") and keep your eye open. If you search eBay for a set of alloys remember that PUNTO alloy's fit, it will help you widen the search!

These look OK, they are 16" though.........

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fiat-Alfa-New...ryZ28648QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Peeling lacquer on the headlights has been a problem for a few people, I think that the main consensus of opinion was to leave it alone - I don't think anyone has been able to successfully remove theirs and polish up the plastic (although I am sure someone will be along soon to prove me wrong).....

HTH

Hey LittleRedB - thanks for the input.

Will try and get down to ACE, haven't been there for ages and that was when I did more motorbiking.

Might take you up on the offer of the screen. Have dropped an email to carhood Warehouse near Leatherhead to see what they say. Fiat dealers farm the work off to others, who were quoting £350+ just to replace screen or £500 for roof.

Like your alloys, and agree that I like the ride so don't really want to change the size. Do enough other trading on ebay so will keep an eye out.

As for the dent, didn't notice it for a couple of days so not sure where it got hit, but the shape and height indicates it was a tow bar.

Soody said:

Had my black B from new since 96, which as been regularly serviced etc but age is taking its toll a little so I am looking at replacing a few bits. Primarily need to get a new rear windscreen. Was told when I bought it that you could easily replace just the see through screen using a special zipper tool. All feedback so far has been that it is best to replace the whole vinyl roof, which seems OTT as there isn't anything wrong with it.

Also looking to get some simple alloys as factory fitted originals not looking too healthy.

And finally..... the lacquer on my headlights is peeling away. Been told to use a hair dryer to remove the remaining stuff. Any one suffered the problem, if so how did you deal with it.

Any suggestions gratefully received. Once done, I might even take the risk of bringing it out to meet some of its relatives

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I have a choice of original fiat alloy wheels . Both sets are in good condition and with good tyres should you be interested.

Hi Soody
Get down to the Ace cafe like LRB said and meet up with a few of us.

Soody said:

Had my black B from new since 96... ... but age is taking its toll a little so ... ... All feedback so far has been that it is best to replace the whole vinyl roof, which seems OTT as there isn't anything wrong with it.

Click to expand...

Good to see another one owner car out there - you have four years on me. You must have been more careful with the roof as mine is, er tatty.

But £500 will get you a new mohair roof fitted, less if you fit it yourself, there's a "how to" guide on here.

Soody said:

Also looking to get some simple alloys as factory fitted originals not looking too healthy.

Click to expand...

There's an offer you can't refuse from KC3 [Unless I ask first which style alloys]

Soody said:

And finally..... the lacquer on my headlights is peeling away. Been told to use a hair dryer to remove the remaining stuff. Any one suffered the problem, if so how did you deal with it.

Click to expand...

New headlights from eBay! as LRB says no one has fully removed it properly.

Soody said:

... ... Once done, I might even take the risk of bringing it out to meet some of its relatives

Click to expand...

Don't do it! They will have you spending ££££, However even though I haven't ventured out, [apparently you have to wash\wax it] it is the best way to get first hand advice.

Zem, if you don't get to a meet soon we will find where you live and park in your front garden!

Second that!

peeling headlights : Meguiar's PlastX should do it

use of elbow grease and several repeat applications or the use of an orbital buffer might be needed, in both cases tape off your paint: you want to remove the peeling UV blocker, not your paint

i should have some before/after pix somewhere, i'll post them when found

Carhood warehouse have just quoted me £450 for a vinyl rood replacement and £550 for mohair - decisions decision. Vinyl means I can also sort out the Alloys sooner... who was it that warned me about getting sucked into the spend spend spend approach on looking after my Black B

Go careful fella, we have all been sucked in!

I would advise you to go mohair if you do replace it, the offer of the material for the back window is still there if you can find someone to sew it in for you.

Keep your eye on eBay, every now and again a bargain comes up that saves you a few pounds..............

Hoods from germany are about £200 for mohair or simmilar material, if your handy you'll get your alloys for free, it's fidley but a relatively easy job.

RnRollie said:

peeling headlights : Meguiar's PlastX should do it

use of elbow grease and several repeat applications or the use of an orbital buffer might be needed, in both cases tape off your paint: you want to remove the peeling UV blocker, not your paint

i should have some before/after pix somewhere, i'll post them when found

Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

I had a mate of mine do one of my headlights while I was changing my heater matrix last year; it took him 10-15 minutes and it look good as new

RnRollie said:

peeling headlights : Meguiar's PlastX should do it

use of elbow grease and several repeat applications or the use of an orbital buffer might be needed, in both cases tape off your paint: you want to remove the peeling UV blocker, not your paint

i should have some before/after pix somewhere, i'll post them when found

Click to expand...

pix now added... i'll try to get some better soon, as the "after" might not be clear enough, but if you look closely you'll see that the peeling is gone. I've got a better angle on my phone, but i dont have a cable to hook up the phone to my PC.

Soody said:

Carhood warehouse have just quoted me £450 for a vinyl rood replacement and £550 for mohair - decisions decision. Vinyl means I can also sort out the Alloys sooner... who was it that warned me about getting sucked into the spend spend spend approach on looking after my Black B

Click to expand...

Had mine done by these guys last year, would thoroughly recommend them, only slight down side is that my rear screen is now larger than the original. Also they will not guarantee that it won't leek, and replacing the rubber window seals with originals from Fiat will cost more than the hood, unless anyone knows a better route.

I don't think that there is a better route... believe me.... !! I think that I have exhausted all avenues on this subject....

Have contacted all the rubber seal manufactures in the middle east / india / asia and the us that I have found... gave them sample pics of cross sections that were reqd for boot, hood and other seals and requested enough to do 30 cars..... a few replied and said all they have available is what is in there catalogues... most never even responded.....

It only rains here a few times a year ( if we are lucky) and I hate to have leaky seals.... but I think for now I am gonna have to live with it

I have resorted to black silicone on the seals.... but the hood is very rarely up... only in the garage on a night time..... Now summer is here the hard top has been cleaned ready for instalation...

desert rat said:

.... Now summer is here the hard top has been cleaned ready for instalation...

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Maybe we could do a hardtop share, I have it in the UK winter and you have it in the Middle Eastern summer! :idea:

to be honest.. it was on the car when I bought it... Once I started using the car I put the hard top in the shed.... been there ever since.... for me you could have it but....

The bad side is I think it would cost more to ship than you could buy one....

:idea: I could always drive over!