Vinyle top question

282 Views 25 Replies 7 Participants Last post by JESmith, Aug 31, 2009

thrshr68

Discussion Starter · Aug 28, 2009

I will be removing the vinyl top soon on the 68'...... Does any of you classic guys have any knowledge doing this? I have heard quite a few things as to how to do i on search engines. Any first hand accounts?

plan to soda blast entire car in 6 months need to take all of it off.

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

95snake

· #2 · Aug 28, 2009

I hear its a pain, I could ask my grandpa he peeled the top off his 72 grand prix. Luckly there was minimal rust, because the car has been garage kept its whole life.

Baron

· #3 · Aug 28, 2009

thrshr68 said:
I will be removing the vinyl top soon on the 68'...... Does any of you classic guys have any knowledge doing this? I have heard quite a few things as to how to do i on search engines. Any first hand accounts?

plan to soda blast entire car in 6 months need to take all of it off.

You are going to be putting it back on, right?

thrshr68

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 28, 2009

Baron said:
You are going to be putting it back on, right?

to be honest I look at vinyl tops as breeding grounds for rust. I dont plan on re-installing it. depends really. I wont fill the holes till I am 100% sure.

Paladin

· #5 · Aug 28, 2009

I have never done it, but the few people I know who have said they just made sure they were careful around any trim they were going to reuse. It should be pretty easy.

thrshr68

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 28, 2009

Paladin said:
I have never done it, but the few people I know who have said they just made sure they were careful around any trim they were going to reuse. It should be pretty easy.

Well I heard about some rivets covered in Silicone right above the drip rails. having to drill them out. the problem is there is supposed to be a aluminum strip integrated in the roof that it is in. and is not a reproduced part..... I dunno thats why I am trying to pick the brains on the site.

Baron

· #7 · Aug 28, 2009

thrshr68 said:
to be honest I look at vinyl tops as breeding grounds for rust. I dont plan on re-installing it. depends really. I wont fill the holes till I am 100% sure.

yeah, they can trap rust, though if the roof is primmed, sealed and painted, and the vinyl is installed right, it shouldnt be an issue.

Paladin

· #8 · Aug 28, 2009

thrshr68 said:
Well I heard about some rivets covered in Silicone right above the drip rails. having to drill them out. the problem is there is supposed to be a aluminum strip integrated in the roof that it is in. and is not a reproduced part..... I dunno thats why I am trying to pick the brains on the site.

Everyone I knew was getting rid of the vinyl top.

thrshr68

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 28, 2009

Baron said:
yeah, they can trap rust, though if the roof is primmed, sealed and painted, and the vinyl is installed right, it shouldnt be an issue.

Got any pics yet of your progress? :tongue: not meaning to hijack my own thread

95snake

· #10 · Aug 28, 2009

Paladin said:
Everyone I knew was getting rid of the vinyl top.

My grandpa did the same, he bought the car new in 72 and had them install one at the dealership. It was like that until the early 90's when he restored it. He took it off and put a new one on. In 07 he had it restored again by a shop here in town. They took it off for good. Personally I like it with out it. It looks a lot cleaner. At the time in 72 the car was top of the line with it on there.

Paladin

· #11 · Aug 28, 2009

95snake said:
My grandpa did the same, he bought the car new in 72 and had them install one at the dealership. It was like that until the early 90's when he restored it. He took it off and put a new one on. In 07 he had it restored again by a shop here in town. They took it off for good. Personally I like it with out it. It looks a lot cleaner. At the time in 72 the car was top of the line with it on there.

My first car wasa '74 Gran Torino, and it had a vinyl top.

ModdinArt

· #12 · Aug 28, 2009

Wrapping a new vinyle top aint nuthin but a thang for any shot that works with it.
Shouldnt cost ya more than 400 bucks.

Baron

· #13 · Aug 29, 2009

thrshr68 said:
Got any pics yet of your progress? :tongue: not meaning to hijack my own thread

I am picking it up tomorrow, some assembly required. I am tired of letting them push my car back for other jobs when they could have it done in a couple hours. Plus they keep coming up with reasons to put it on hold, the latest is that the window regulators wont line up now. They were not perfect before, but they worked good. Now they dont for what ever reason. I am not giving him the remainder of the $$$ and putting the bumpers and maybe new regulators in/on myself. I am just ready to get it home.

thrshr68

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 29, 2009

Baron said:
I am picking it up tomorrow, some assembly required. I am tired of letting them push my car back for other jobs when they could have it done in a couple hours. Plus they keep coming up with reasons to put it on hold, the latest is that the window regulators wont line up now. They were not perfect before, but they worked good. Now they dont for what ever reason. I am not giving him the remainder of the $$$ and putting the bumpers and maybe new regulators in/on myself. I am just ready to get it home.

Well....... If you need any help trimming it out, let me know, would like to see it up close.

Baron

· #15 · Aug 29, 2009

thrshr68 said:
Well....... If you need any help trimming it out, let me know, would like to see it up close.

Hell you're in Arlington, I am on the Mansfield border. You have an open invite to come thrash on it putting the front suspension and brakes on while drinking my beer whenever.

thrshr68

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 29, 2009

I will be free Sunday evening for a few hours..

PM sent

Paladin

· #17 · Aug 29, 2009

Baron said:
Hell you're in Arlington, I am on the Mansfield border. You have an open invite to come thrash on it putting the front suspension and brakes on while drinking my beer whenever.

I would be interested in helping out also. I am in SW FW but don't mind the drive to turn a wrench on a nice car.

thrshr68

Discussion Starter · #18 · Aug 29, 2009

Paladin said:
I would be interested in helping out also. I am in SW FW but don't mind the drive to turn a wrench on a nice car.

Do I have to get a paint job for you to come help me

I am just messin with you. We should all get together and spin wrenches

Paladin

· #19 · Aug 29, 2009

thrshr68 said:
Do I have to get a paint job for you to come help me I am just messin with you. We should all get together and spin wrenches

I extend the same offer to you. I would love to turn a wrench or two on your car anytime.

Pro88LX

· #20 · Aug 29, 2009

Paladin said:
I extend the same offer to you. I would love to turn a wrench or two on your car anytime.

my 98 ta needs plugs and wires installed....just sayin

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