How hard is it to replace convertible top?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
How hard is it to replace convertible top?
I recovered my seats but that was hardly rocket science. Is redoing the top something I should tackle or is it best to take it to someone ?(Which I hate
)
What kit is recommended?
What is the best way to clean and paint the frame?
Absolutely anything else that my help me decide is greatly appreciated. 
)What kit is recommended?
What is the best way to clean and paint the frame?
Absolutely anything else that my help me decide is greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Replacing the top isn't particularly difficult, but it helps to have a little experience with it. My advice would be to farm it out to the pros. You are paying for their expertise since you want the top to look good when it's up.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Did you see this thread?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1428437
you have it looking good.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1428437
you have it looking good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 13
From: San Angelo TX
Originally Posted by BlackRat
I recovered my seats but that was hardly rocket science. Is redoing the top something I should tackle or is it best to take it to someone ?(Which I hate )
What kit is recommended?
What is the best way to clean and paint the frame?
)What kit is recommended?
What is the best way to clean and paint the frame?
To me the top was easier than the seats.
I say go for it.
I would definitely get the Al Knoch top.
Absolutely get the how-to DVD. It is invaluable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Originally Posted by roger55
I just put a top and seat covers on my '69 in the last 30 days.
To me the top was easier than the seats.
I say go for it.
I would definitely get the Al Knoch top.
Absolutely get the how-to DVD. It is invaluable.
To me the top was easier than the seats.
I say go for it.
I would definitely get the Al Knoch top.
Absolutely get the how-to DVD. It is invaluable.
I am in the process of completely redoing my frame and top. The frame is fixed and ready to go back on the car. I was only guessing about installing the weatherstripping and top. I rented the Al Knoch video from Corvette Central and have watched it twice. Now I am confident I can install the top with a quality job.
Get the DVD!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Originally Posted by brdd
The frame is fixed and ready to go back on the car.
Thanks
Wade
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
Originally Posted by 68roadster
Are you guys doing vinyl or canvas? Seems vinyl would be more difficult?
This is based on me and my buddy installing a new canvas top on mine. He had done a vinyl on his car before.
As for install, I did the pads myself and put the top on the rear bow before he came over. After that, it took us about 3 hours total to do the job. An extra set of hands was great for pulling the material tight while I stapled.
The canvas top looks great, just wish I had a good picture to show you all but my little trip to Iraq interupted my plans.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Originally Posted by BlackRat
How did you go about redoing the frame off the car? Did you mount it somehow on a bench so it could be folded out then sand , paint etc???
Thanks
Wade
Thanks
Wade
The car will be going to a local guy's garage for a week or so to fix some of Bubba's mechanical antics under the hood. So for now the top will have to wait.
Dan in Austin
