[flash]

not a bad suggestion, especially since the top needs to be removed from the rear attachements in order to paint anyway

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[Anchorman]

Both shops said they were indifferent to which came first. However, the schedule of available time, combined with my limitations, is saying that the top gets done first. So, this admittedly good suggestion will have to be left for the next time. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

yeah, well, just realize that they have to lift the top back up from the bows to the rear to paint the car, and that means another opportunity to remove the rear deck pices and screw with and probably break those little clips that hold it down



of course, doing the top afterward means a chance they screw up the new and soft paint in doing it



tough call

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[RPM]

If you think about how many cars suffer from poor or non-existant rearward visibility... from new Lotuses and Lamborghinis to panel vans and pickup trucks with camper shells... this sort of nit-picking examination is fairly ludicrous.



In NC you must re-inspect at the shop where you failed inspection and I assume the same in NJ. I just wonder if another shop would fail the same window? Are you just a victim of a jerk inspector?

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[flash]

in california it would be a non issue entirely, as long as you have 2 mirrors



which brings me to the question of "what do they do for pickups with campers on them?"

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[Anchorman]

Probably I could get the car passed at another inspection center. When I had the reinspection for the emissions, the inspector suggested I talk to the manager - he said that he wouldn't have failed the car for the rear window unless it had a large split (!). However, the window really is pretty lousy, and I'm not going to fight city hall for a procedural victory. As long as I'm getting the paint done, the car simply will look much better with a new top - and then I'll have no issue passing inspection.

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[Darryl]

[quote name='flash' post='35585' date='May 17 2007, 11:43 AM']in california it would be a non issue entirely, as long as you have 2 mirrors



which brings me to the question of "what do they do for pickups with campers on them?"[/quote]



+1...and what about panel trunks and cargo vans? I like how rental car companies can rent cargo vans to everyday joes who have never driven a vehicle without a rear view mirror. I think you got a picky inspector that day...



Slightly OT, but you may get a chuckle from this...



The place across the street from me is notorious for finding something to fail it for...I'm all for having safe vehicles on the road, but practically everytime, I seem to need wiper blades - c'mon. This most recent time on one of my Ford Escapes, sure enough the wiper blades failed. I told them not to replace them, that I'd do it myself, as I usually keep them on my shelf, especially in winter. I replace them when they no longer effectively clear the windshield of water and debris. When I got the vehicle back, I found what amounted to about 1/4" separation at each end on both blades, but plenty of thickness and no signs of actual wear on the blade. Maybe the Virginia State Inspection rulebook says no tears allowed, but they do not streak and are otherwise fine and probably were replaced last time making them only a year old. I put a new pair on, passed inspection, and put the old ones back one all within an hour...I'll use the old ones until they are no longer effective, then put the new ones on...probably just in time for them to tell me I need new wipers again next year! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



- Darryl

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