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Picked up an Original Saratoga for $200. Going to see if I can bring this back to a better life. I weighed the fiberglass sunroof vs the Saratoga and they are nearly identical in weight. Fiberglass with manual latches and no vinyl cover 17lbs. The Saratoga was at 17.4lbs.
Plans of restoration:
1) Sand and paint frame black
2) Find a seal that will replace the worn original, VW 321877209A
3) There is a crack in the black plastic by the center tab, I will fill with JB weld plastic epoxy
4) Polish glass to remove light scratches on top surface. Under surface is mirror coated and has scratches, I don’t think I can repair this.
That's the exact going rate for a 'needs restored' Saratoga.
I sold one just like that for $205 at the last Fest.
There were some posts from the guy who bought it and how he fixed it up,
I think he used a VW seal also, I can't seem to find his info. .
I'm pretty sure the factory seal won't work, the Saratoga top lacks the channel that the factory top has, and it has a big cat whisker type bumper around it.
My Saratoga lacks the metal frame, has a fuzzless rubber seal all the way around and the latch attachments pierce the glass with button like covers on the exterior. I've been told this is a late model top, anybody know for sure? It rattles and squeaks but the cabin.is brighter.
My Saratoga lacks the metal frame, has a fuzzless rubber seal all the way around and the latch attachments pierce the glass with button like covers on the exterior. I've been told this is a late model top, anybody know for sure? It rattles and squeaks but the cabin.is brighter.
Yes, there are two types of Saratoga. Grey tint with a frame or bronze tint with no frame. I've heard goods and bads with both.
Ya I thought it was a fair price given the seal is expensive. I had one of the first reproduction ones like in 2012 or whatever and really liked it. I run a manual latch currently so haven’t decided for sure yet if I will switch back to electric to run this or not. Figure I’ll recondition and go from there.
That's the exact going rate for a 'needs restored' Saratoga.
I sold one just like that for $205 at the last Fest.
There were some posts from the guy who bought it and how he fixed it up,
I think he used a VW seal also, I can't seem to find his info. .
lol you got it.. was watching some show I think called Irregulars that has characters from Sherlock Holmes and deals with like paranormal investigations. Was kind of an odd show but kept watching lol.
My Saratoga lacks the metal frame, has a fuzzless rubber seal all the way around and the latch attachments pierce the glass with button like covers on the exterior. I've been told this is a late model top, anybody know for sure? It rattles and squeaks but the cabin.is brighter.
Slightly off-topic... My _factory_ sunroof rattles and squeaks. Are you implying yours doesn’t???
The difference between the two tops (stock and glass) is night and day, in many respects. The stock sunroof, on my fairly low mileage car, is tight as a drum.
The Saratoga top I have will let in some air or whistle at higher speeds, even going as far as showing light when it lifts.
Perhaps some of these tops were not installed right, here is a document that was in the box with mine when I got it used.
@Millermatic : From a different forum, I have had Krytox recommended as a good lubricant to stop squeaks and rattles. It's not silicone based, so no worries about what that can mean, and though it's expensive, you only need a very small amount on the rubber seals for it to be effective.
@Millermatic : From a different forum, I have had Krytox recommended as a good lubricant to stop squeaks and rattles. It's not silicone based, so no worries about what that can mean, and though it's expensive, you only need a very small amount on the rubber seals for it to be effective.
Cheers
Thanks! It’s fine on a good road... but there are lots of roads that aren’t “good” around me. The sunroof drives me nuts on those!
Edit: No kidding about the cost! $25 for .5oz! Or a 15lb bucket for $3799.15.
I went for the .5oz...
Last edited by Millermatic; 07-06-2022 at 09:37 PM.
The difference between the two tops (stock and glass) is night and day, in many respects. The stock sunroof, on my fairly low mileage car, is tight as a drum.
The Saratoga top I have will let in some air or whistle at higher speeds, even going as far as showing light when it lifts.
Perhaps some of these tops were not installed right, here is a document that was in the box with mine when I got it used.
Wow, never knew about this. Purchased used a dozen yeas ago I've had it on both early and late cars. What does the "Note" say ? I can't make out a few words. I can read "Mounting brackets should now be ??? below vinyl trimmed inside ledge of roof opening.". Thanks.
Last edited by jhowell371; 07-07-2022 at 09:08 PM.
07-05-2022, 04:47 PM
Original Saratoga Sunroof
