Inexpensive sunvisor replacement alternative

ianc · 06:26 PM

Hi folks,

My sunvisors (probably like everyone else's) were just crap, and daily they were excreting dust on me whenever I adjusted them. Here's the oldies:

I looked for replacements and found (if I recall correctly) that the Porsche items were about $200 ea, and good quality repros could be had for around $110 ea. Not liking either alternative much, I sent them out to be redone at Vinyl Specialties (http://www.autosunvisors.com/replacement.htm).

Seems like they specialize mostly in American stuff, but they were willing to take on the odd German interloper. Just got them back today. There's a beefroll on the bottom instead of the heat-welded seam and no vanity mirror, but I was impressed with the workmanship, and the cost was just $69 (for the pair) shipped:

The fellow I dealt with is Darren Desantis, and you can reach him at vinylspe@buffnet.net, or give a call to 716-686-0577 M-F 9:30-5:00 eastern time. Hope this proves useful to somebody...

ianc

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

They came out looking good.

It appears your originals were the template - then they used the guts and slapped on new skins. A good price if you are not an originality freak.

I was hoping the company truly restored old visors - since my 73s, one side black and the other creme - looked like yours....

Anyone else know?

ubiquity0 · 02-25-2005, 06:37 PM

Nice.
You can't really go wrong for $69.

A pair of NOS early sunvisors (the NLA black / ivory ones) sold on ebay recently for something like $1300 !

Aussie · Aussie's Garage

My visors have swollen inside.

I don't know if this is common or not, but it looks like the foam inside has doubled in size over time.

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Aussie
My visors have swollen inside.

I don't know if this is common or not, but it looks like the foam inside has doubled in size over time.

Same thing happened to me, but my visors are fine.

pjv911 · pjv911's Garage

Yea , I was the guy who sold those $1300.00 visors . Sweet .

Kurt Williams

Lukesportsman · 02-25-2005, 07:38 PM

Aussie,

That is the largest complaint with mine. I'm just as interested in getting the foam replaced as the black/iroy covers. Don't you find it interesting that no one is making these as repo's. I'm certainly not a originality "freak" (FG and 18" rims) but I LIKE the ivory/black look.

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

After searching the web for used ones I finally broke down a few weeks back and bought the new expensive ones. Wish I would have known about this option earlier.

Oh well.

Markus33 · 02-25-2005, 08:09 PM

Nice!

Mine puffed up like blowfish to the point of obscuring my view. They are now in storage as I refused to pay 200 bucks+.

Good option.

Markus

RoninLB · 02-25-2005, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ianc

and the cost was just $69 (for the pair) shipped:

I paid about $150, maybe more, for Carrera visors.

Leland Pate · 02-25-2005, 08:18 PM

What ever you all do, please do not attempt to fill old visors with that expanding orange foam in a can stuff. If you must, do a search... I can spare a few laughs at my expense.

ianc · 02-25-2005, 09:13 PM

This weird light makes the seams seem more apparent than they are. Targa bar going on tonite as well...

ianc

Aussie · Aussie's Garage

Quote:

Don't you find it interesting that no one is making these as repo's

Might be a good little business for someone one? As it seems like half the early 911's have faulty visors.

Surely they can't be very expensive to reproduce.

ken_xman · 02-26-2005, 05:11 AM

www.colorplus.com
makes a dye that would work wonders on blacking out the rest of your interior.
Your car looks good, just needs a little color adj.
I am biased with my red & black targa.

john70t · 02-26-2005, 06:49 AM

It doesn't seem too hard to redo them yourself if completely trashed, but then that's a guess. Here's one way:
Get a big sheet of the same vinel, from oem seat or carpet manufacturers, outline the visor for a templet and add 1/4inch and a bit for the sides(may have to be pre-stretched with heat and water). Stitch together 3/4 of it (leaving the front/top edge which will stay hidden), turn inside out and stretch over frame with new high density foam. Last hidden edge could be overlapped or rolled and sealed with a strong glue/stapled and clamped in place and then the seam glued with a softer rubberized glue to feel nicer.

Wil Ferch · 02-26-2005, 07:40 AM

Guy's Email is Buffnet?....716 exchange for phone number?

Holy smokes....this is Buffalo, NY... a guy like that *here* (?) and not on the west coast (?) Hafta look him up !!

Wil

epbrown · 02-26-2005, 08:15 PM

The visors in my 911 look like a couple of frightened blowfish, while the 944 and 928 are the same age and the visors look fine; the 944 has had a much more difficult life than the 911 as well.

84toy · 04-08-2006, 07:29 AM

I notice in the pictures that the visors on the Targa are straight. I have a 84 with the curved visors and my 77 has straight visors. I want to send them both in for "rehab" Is the straight visors OEM on the early Targas?

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by 84toy
I notice in the pictures that the visors on the Targa are straight. I have a 84 with the curved visors and my 77 has straight visors. I want to send them both in for "rehab" Is the straight visors OEM on the early Targas?

I tried injecting glue in mine. Looked ok for a few months then formed wrinkles. I gave up, bit the bullet and bought new ones. My originals were straight but I couldn't find new onces that were straight. I was told all new ones have the bend in them so that's what I have now on my Targa.