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Top installation Cincinnati

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Old Mar 2, 2017 | 05:28 PM
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Default Top installation Cincinnati

I bought a Al Knoch top for my 66 C2. Took it to a upholstery shop to have it installed and they messed up the car. They have the top so tight that it pulled the deck lid up to hit the doors and scratched the paint BAD all the way down to the fiberglass. Doors would hardly open.
My question is could someone recommend a shop in the Cincinnati area to finish this install? Thanks Bob
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Old Mar 2, 2017 | 05:43 PM
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Bob,
Check with Eastern Corvettes on the east side of Cinci (that makes sense...) they can give you some good advice.
Bruce B
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Old Mar 2, 2017 | 07:20 PM
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I am glad that you have a place to take it to. I install tops and it does take someone who knows what they are doing to get them on right.

Hopefully the shop that did it did not do it in such a way that it can not be corrected.....because the chances that they will need to buy you a new top is highly likely.

DUB
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Old Mar 2, 2017 | 07:27 PM
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More then likely if it was put on to tight , to loosen it would expose staples and make the top useless.
I agree with DUB, most installers that do not specialize in Corvettes don't have a clue how to install a Corvette soft top.
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Old Mar 3, 2017 | 06:21 PM
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ALSO...and I am just mentioning this:...so to not take my head off.

BUT...IF the top is down and someone tried to put it up and the vinyl is cold...THAT can be a MAJOR problem. The vinyl MUST be warmed up really really well if the top is being put up in cold climates. And it is a process to get the top to stretch back out before it is finally set into place.

I can say that I have been not some of the upholstery shops that install convertible tops in my area and I ask them a few questions about how they install it and I know right off the bat...they do not know how to do it right.

And for what it is worth...using the correct fiber board tack strips are a lot better than using the rubber ones....especially across the front header of the top frame.

DUB
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Old Mar 3, 2017 | 06:28 PM
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Personally, I would take it to Greg Stevens up in Hamilton, he is absolutely the best in Cincinnati. He will also come to your place to do a top install.
PM me if you want his number.
Jim
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Old Mar 3, 2017 | 07:08 PM
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I used Fisher Grffin to put a new top on my C7. Nothing wrong with old top just did not like the color.
They (imo) did an excellent job. I think it is fitted better than the original top. By the way I basically took the car new from the dealer and took it right to them for the change.
Good luck. Hope you find a good shop.
VH
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Old Mar 3, 2017 | 08:00 PM
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I'm trying to visualize what happened. May I be so callused as to ask for pics?
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Old Mar 18, 2017 | 10:01 PM
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I been away and just seen this post. Looks like the deck lid is pulling forward 1/4-1/2 inch hitting the doors when the top is up. Seems to tight and looks like its actually narrowing the door gaps some when up. take the top down everything falls back into place. I haven't had a chance to do anything with the problem.
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Old Mar 18, 2017 | 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by jrm5657
Personally, I would take it to Greg Stevens up in Hamilton, he is absolutely the best in Cincinnati. He will also come to your place to do a top install.
PM me if you want his number.
Jim

I found Greg's information. Thank you.
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