My Top Shrunk!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
My Top Shrunk!
I seldom put the top up cause I never drive it in the rain, so...I got caught in the rain recently and put the top up...It had shrunk
It pulled the top chrome windshield header away from the glass. Is there anyway to stretch the top back out...
It pulled the top chrome windshield header away from the glass. Is there anyway to stretch the top back out...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 269
From: Greenwood In.
There are a couple of things you can do. One is to leave the top up but not connected in the hot sun or you can pour hot water on it and that will help it to fit. These will only help you to get the top on and connected but there is nothing that I know of that will stretch it out and keep it that way. That is what happenes when you don't keep your top up. Best to store it with the top up when not driving or during the winter months. Good Luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 458
From: Ct
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[QUOTE=
It pulled the top chrome windshield header away from the glass. Is there anyway to stretch the top back out...[/QUOTE]
Also just curious if your windshield post tabs are broken (assuming you have a C1) - they provide support when the top is putting pressure pulling back - did you ever check them?
It pulled the top chrome windshield header away from the glass. Is there anyway to stretch the top back out...[/QUOTE]
Also just curious if your windshield post tabs are broken (assuming you have a C1) - they provide support when the top is putting pressure pulling back - did you ever check them?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
I had the windshield installed by a local Corvette Shop.If we get some more warm weather, I'll try to hot sun approach
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,632
Likes: 4,683
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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ONE OF THESE DAYS YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO LEARN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You install the tops snug and they shrink.
When you install a soft top on a 56-62-------------DON'T INSTALL IT TAUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH LOOSENESS AND WRINKLES! BECAUSE IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK!!!!! About the only option to using the soft top in its present to-tight condition is to latch it to the windshield and leave it loose in the rear. As soon as you latch the rear, then pull down the rear latches----------------------it's gonna pull away from the windshield. TRUST ME!
I DO NOT CARE WHAT ANY OF THESE GUYS ON HERE TELL YOU----------------------THERE IS ONE CURE AND ONLY ONE CURE!!!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!! You're gonna have to install a new top. So just get ready for it. And it is VERY probable that you're gonna have to pull the windshield to fix it where the frame/seal has pulled away from the glass. So, get ready for that too!
This has happened to 8 bazillion guys over the years and you would think that eventually, SOMEONE would finally catch on!
You install the tops snug and they shrink.
When you install a soft top on a 56-62-------------DON'T INSTALL IT TAUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH LOOSENESS AND WRINKLES! BECAUSE IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK!!!!! About the only option to using the soft top in its present to-tight condition is to latch it to the windshield and leave it loose in the rear. As soon as you latch the rear, then pull down the rear latches----------------------it's gonna pull away from the windshield. TRUST ME!
I DO NOT CARE WHAT ANY OF THESE GUYS ON HERE TELL YOU----------------------THERE IS ONE CURE AND ONLY ONE CURE!!!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!! You're gonna have to install a new top. So just get ready for it. And it is VERY probable that you're gonna have to pull the windshield to fix it where the frame/seal has pulled away from the glass. So, get ready for that too!
This has happened to 8 bazillion guys over the years and you would think that eventually, SOMEONE would finally catch on!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
ONE OF THESE DAYS YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO LEARN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You install the tops snug and they shrink.
When you install a soft top on a 56-62-------------DON'T INSTALL IT TAUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH LOOSENESS AND WRINKLES! BECAUSE IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK!!!!! About the only option to using the soft top in its present to-tight condition is to latch it to the windshield and leave it loose in the rear. As soon as you latch the rear, then pull down the rear latches----------------------it's gonna pull away from the windshield. TRUST ME!
I DO NOT CARE WHAT ANY OF THESE GUYS ON HERE TELL YOU----------------------THERE IS ONE CURE AND ONLY ONE CURE!!!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!! You're gonna have to install a new top. So just get ready for it. And it is VERY probable that you're gonna have to pull the windshield to fix it where the frame/seal has pulled away from the glass. So, get ready for that too!
This has happened to 8 bazillion guys over the years and you would think that eventually, SOMEONE would finally catch on!
You install the tops snug and they shrink.
When you install a soft top on a 56-62-------------DON'T INSTALL IT TAUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH LOOSENESS AND WRINKLES! BECAUSE IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK!!!!! About the only option to using the soft top in its present to-tight condition is to latch it to the windshield and leave it loose in the rear. As soon as you latch the rear, then pull down the rear latches----------------------it's gonna pull away from the windshield. TRUST ME!
I DO NOT CARE WHAT ANY OF THESE GUYS ON HERE TELL YOU----------------------THERE IS ONE CURE AND ONLY ONE CURE!!!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!! You're gonna have to install a new top. So just get ready for it. And it is VERY probable that you're gonna have to pull the windshield to fix it where the frame/seal has pulled away from the glass. So, get ready for that too!
This has happened to 8 bazillion guys over the years and you would think that eventually, SOMEONE would finally catch on!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
..
But it looks so good super tight....
They were never designed to look like Joan Rivers face
A heat gun {or hair dryer} will help soften the top, but your on your own with the windshield....Was all the fasteners replaced with the window without any shortcuts?
.
But it looks so good super tight....
They were never designed to look like Joan Rivers face
A heat gun {or hair dryer} will help soften the top, but your on your own with the windshield....Was all the fasteners replaced with the window without any shortcuts?
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 911
Likes: 8
Left my top down 99% of the time for 7 years - no problems......
DZAUTO - you had the same innane attitude in your last repsonse I saw on another thread - sounds like you need to drop this forum - maybe buy a horse farm or something -- this is supposed to be fun, remember??????
signed,
"I'm so young, I didn't know there was 8 bizzillion of anything"
DZAUTO - you had the same innane attitude in your last repsonse I saw on another thread - sounds like you need to drop this forum - maybe buy a horse farm or something -- this is supposed to be fun, remember??????
signed,
"I'm so young, I didn't know there was 8 bizzillion of anything"
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From: Mustang OK
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Cartoon Character
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 0
From: Can't be more than 114... Arizona
I agree, but the real problem is leaving it folded up in the rear for years without putting it up. If you leave the damn thing up when not in use, it will not shrink. I never leave any of my convertibles with the top down for more than a day at the time. When I am done driving I put the top up and latch it. They last for many years and fit like they did when new.
I put mine up in the garage even though I almost never drive it that way - a new top really is the solution. It is kind of an expensive lesson, I got a quote of $1200- to restore my frame and replace the top..
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Supplementary question. Although I am driving a C3 these days the advice here has always been excellent. Does shrinkage occur in vinyl tops only? Or both vinyl and canvas? I have a Haartz canvas top on my 1974 and it was up only once last summer. When I put the car away in winter storage (late October) the top was fine. Perhaps I was just lucky?
Last edited by Paul L; Nov 15, 2008 at 01:12 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 210
From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
ONE OF THESE DAYS YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO LEARN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You install the tops snug and they shrink.
When you install a soft top on a 56-62-------------DON'T INSTALL IT TAUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH LOOSENESS AND WRINKLES! BECAUSE IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK!!!!! About the only option to using the soft top in its present to-tight condition is to latch it to the windshield and leave it loose in the rear. As soon as you latch the rear, then pull down the rear latches----------------------it's gonna pull away from the windshield. TRUST ME!
I DO NOT CARE WHAT ANY OF THESE GUYS ON HERE TELL YOU----------------------THERE IS ONE CURE AND ONLY ONE CURE!!!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!! You're gonna have to install a new top. So just get ready for it. And it is VERY probable that you're gonna have to pull the windshield to fix it where the frame/seal has pulled away from the glass. So, get ready for that too!
This has happened to 8 bazillion guys over the years and you would think that eventually, SOMEONE would finally catch on!
You install the tops snug and they shrink.
When you install a soft top on a 56-62-------------DON'T INSTALL IT TAUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH LOOSENESS AND WRINKLES! BECAUSE IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK, IT'S GONNA SHRINK!!!!! About the only option to using the soft top in its present to-tight condition is to latch it to the windshield and leave it loose in the rear. As soon as you latch the rear, then pull down the rear latches----------------------it's gonna pull away from the windshield. TRUST ME!
I DO NOT CARE WHAT ANY OF THESE GUYS ON HERE TELL YOU----------------------THERE IS ONE CURE AND ONLY ONE CURE!!!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!! You're gonna have to install a new top. So just get ready for it. And it is VERY probable that you're gonna have to pull the windshield to fix it where the frame/seal has pulled away from the glass. So, get ready for that too!
This has happened to 8 bazillion guys over the years and you would think that eventually, SOMEONE would finally catch on!
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: MO
I just as well get my two cents in, I installed both of my C1 tops to fit like a glove and have never had any shrinkage problems. I never leave them down for any extended period of time and that may be why. I also store them with latch's secured. I sure don't agree that you have to live with a loose and ill fitting top, I sure don't.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 210
From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
I just as well get my two cents in, I installed both of my C1 tops to fit like a glove and have never had any shrinkage problems. I never leave them down for any extended period of time and that may be why. I also store them with latch's secured. I sure don't agree that you have to live with a loose and ill fitting top, I sure don't.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,976
Likes: 54
From: On the bank of the Columbia River..... Washington State
My buddies 61 top had the same issue. We let it sit in the sun for a few days and were able to get it on, but I am sure he will have the same problem next year....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 911
Likes: 8
My top has always fit tight, and it is always stored down - only goes up when weather is below 50 degrees or when I get caught in the rain - never had any problems. Some peoples "Tight" must mean really, really tight......