Hi Guys !

I have a 94' Honda Del Sol Si with the D16z6.

I'm currently building a "moonroof" on my T-top.
I know ameripol has a good one but it's very expensive
And I didn't want to put a standard sunroof because the frame make the opening a little bit smaller.

So my choice was make a project DIY and keep the budget low. I saw lot of DIY sunroof with Lexan and decided it could be a fun project

Things I got now:
T-top
2 bi-metal blade for jigsaw
3M tape automotive 22mmx4m

Soon:
5mm Aluminum Rivets
Get the dark grey polycarbonate sheet
RTV black Silicone all around to seal it perfectly ( I will make a mask )

The next thing are:

Painting the border of the polycarbonate in black

Question:
Do you know if we can use headlight vinyl to tint a big polycarbonate sheet ?




Please let me know if you have any question or advice to make it better !

Have a great day









Check everything under to make sure before we cut !











Tape the area for black lines

















This is just a acrylic sample not the final one...











I put back the hardware to draw the cut line.











I have a to leave this gape to have enough space to rivet and make less stress to the parts...I wish I can go further but its was very short.





You will have different layer under (1cm gap)





and linked together so we might need to get differents rivets.

 

And also before mouting everything I'm trying to see if the tape works well...Looks like yes. And get the right rivets.





Polycarbonate + 3M double sided tape + roof

 

I made this in CAD quickly to see how it will look. It was a first sketch and I'm sure it will look a little bit different at the end !

 

At first I thought it was going to be a terrible hack job but seeing you using micrometers and the right equipment, it seems like it's going to be quite nice when done. Can't wait!!!

 

I'm looking forward to seeing how it comes out! Nice work so far!

 

Thank you ! I will post new pictures tomorrow. I plan to make a tutorial with the plans and dimensions if you guys need it !

 

So the glass is going to side on top of the OE targa? Sounds janky if so.

 

Hi guys,

So I had time to put everything together yesterday, I will need to put a piece a rubber band inside and all the hardware.

Let see the pictures !



Make sure it's on the right place











Tape the 3M double sided on top and front first.





Then on each side





Two of my friends help me to put the polycarbonate on. Make sure to draw all the lines before so you can match perfectly the part.





Press the polycarbonate and the 3M together. Then drill the holes. Check the distance so you will not put stress on the part.





Now use the RTV black silicone on the rivet and put them in.








Don't remove the layer on the polycarbonate





First test !











Still missing the hardware and finish. But I will take care of that very soon.








YAY !

 

Yes the poly carbonate overlaps the oem panel. I did that to avoid potential leakage. I saw another guy who did that but he put the Lexan under the body...So I don't know how it will evacuate the water when it's gonna rain !

Check out his work from another forum ( Italian I guess )





I'm not really convinced by this one ....

 

they both look a lil hanky to me. id prefer nice, OEM fit and finish on something like this. but good job though.

 

Next step put the RTV black silicone all around the polycarbonate and let it dry for 24 hours...

 

Dude, you have done very well for 90% of the way.
It's a shame the devil is in the details though.
Fabrication skills and proper engineering choices make or brake a custom job. Some small critique for future repairs/do overs:

I think this is a great project well executed to your research and ability.
Placing the lexi above the panel is disturbing. It disturbs the body lines and is not tastefully addressed (i.e. the panel is not rounded, the panel is not beveled, rivits make it look Mad Maxish and are hollow type) , which could have made the finished product mint looking.
You should not have been hungry to cut the corners into the roof cutout. A nice 3/4"-1" radius would have made a real tastful turn to view IMO.
It looks very easy to place the panel between the layers left with a little hammer and dolly work on the lower side to open/close the gap accordingly.
Correctly bonding the lexi between the layers with the proper sealant would reduce your rivits to zero. It would just have to be clamped with a homemade fixture durring setting period.

I know it sounds like I am being hard, i'm not. I have several DelSols and might make a top like that someday. I am a fabricator that takes big chances alot for a look or function. Don't be discouraged by what may be percieved as a negative opinion. It's not; just some room for improvement is all.
Dude, I take big risks (calculated and researched) for big rewards fuctionally and technically. Just check out this custom rear sub instal that is sick, sick!
Everybody loves it, but I did it for me.

https://honda-tech.com/audio-securit...stall-3191507/

 

Thank you for you helpful comment.

I wanted to round the corner on the metal panel but it was too hard ( because of the 2 aluminum layers ) and planned to do it on the Makrolon also.
But I decided make it straight ( first time I used a Jigsaw and a rivet gun ! ). I know it will be way better if it was with a small radius.

I agree the devil is in the detail... I'm learning by doing...

Hopefully if I have a chance next time to replace it I will do it differently.

Thank you for the awesome link !

 

I couldnt agree more with Tyler Dirden.

I had no idea the targa is AL on del sols, very cool.

 

Just removed the tape, it looks not bad at all. I need to trim the extra RTV silicone on some location but otherwise everything seems okay !





I need to trim some imperfections...

 

What a great thread!
Bravo!

Don't forget to fill the tiny rivit head holes in with something. Test them yourself, off the car with a styrofoam cup with a hole in the bottom to go over the rivit head. Hold the cup down firmly and put a few ounces of water in. Place a dry paper towel underneath the rivit and wait a moment.

Get back to us.

 

Thanks Tyler Dirden !
I didn't see your message but I will refine all those details concerning the rivets.

Let's take a look !



First morning test...





Everything seems okay !





No leak or suspicious noise.

 

looks cool from the inside, but would have looked better if it was flush with the roof from the outside

 

And also, I forgot to put the pictures of the interior :

 

You should be really proud. That turned out well.

You are great at making threads, can't wait to see your next quest.

 

I would paint the rivets black to hide the a bit better. Other than that, great outcome!

 

looks badass from the inside