59BlueSilver

I'm not really planning on restoring the whole top, just ready the top for paint, polish the plexiglass & stainless, and replace the weatherstripping.
I have a faint copy of the AIM but still need some help from someone who has taken one apart before.

I removed the stainless from the rusted metal retainer. How do I remove the retainer?

I think there is a rivet holding the vert. weatherstrip on. How do I remove this rivet and, more importantly, how do I put a new one in? I can't see either side of it.

Pilot Dan

I would not attempt to remove the long side retainers or you will end up disassembling most of the top and getting involved with a bunch of rivets. Clean it in place and treat the metal to prevent future rust. The side window retainer has a rivet (at the top of your photo) which holds it on, and 2 screws at the opposite end. That window retainer and the rubber should be one piece (riveted) together. Once the retainer is removed, you can get to the backside of the rivets. Depending on condition, you will have to reattach or replace the W/S. Pilot Dan

59BlueSilver

Thanks a bunch for that tip, didn't want to go there. Got the horiz. & vert. W/S out, didn't know it was riveted to the glass U channel. How do you install the rivets? Is there a special tool?

Pilot Dan

Those particular rivets are small tubular type. When I did mine, I used some small steel pop rivets instead as they are completely hidden and much easier to work with. The only trick was I had to modify an old pop rivet gun head to fit the narrow width of the W/S channel.

59BlueSilver

Sounds like a good idea.

59BlueSilver

Okay, got the weatherstrip off, but in order to remove the glass U channel, I will have to remove that round headed rivet by drilling it out. How do I install the new one and where can I get the rivets? A pop rivet won't look right there.
Or do I not need to remove it since I will probably follow your suggestion of using pop rivets to hold the weatherstrip on!




Rivet





channel

Pilot Dan

Yes, you will have to drill it out to remove the channel. That is a steel rivet and you can get some from one of the Hard top shops or on line. Nothing special just a std rivet. You will need to peen it over from the backside but will also need to remove the outer reveal molding (at least in that area) to gain access. I strongly recommend a proper rivet set in an air tool and a suitable bucking bar to avoid damaging the surrounding area.

sweet66

As general info go to YouTube search Corvette HardTop Restoration .
There is a video made by Shop the repairs and restores Hardtops .
Might give you some tips and tricks

MOXIE62

You got to get a little creative in this area. Purchase a no. 8 fillister stainless screw about 1/2" long. Stick it in there and on the back side pull the molding away just enough to get a nut on the screw and tighten very snug. Now Your thinking I do not want a screw there. No problem. Get a dremel tool with a small grinding stone. Sand the head of the screw down to where the slot on the screw is gone being very carefull. Now get some polishing compound and with the dremel polish the head of the screw. It will end up looking very close to a rivet.

59BlueSilver

Great suggestion! That was what I was thinking. I would lot rather use screws and I don't care whether the head looks like a rivet or not!