Convertible top CD
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 262
From: Blue Bell PA
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
Convertible top CD
Thinking of changing the black cloth top to a white vinyl.
Thinking I could probably do this next winter. Any ideas?
Plus where should I buy it from .
Thinking I could probably do this next winter. Any ideas?
Plus where should I buy it from .
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Just did the top on my '72, recommend it not be cold weather as vinyl is stiff as a board....70+ is good.....
second off, that rear bow on the top is a mess to work on, while attached to the frame....two bolts on each side/end and that loop comes off when you cut the old canvass off it, you can then put on a bench and note how that back rubber strip comes outta the slot, and most tops have a bead that goes in the same slot as the rubber gasket....it is much easier to work that whole back most section together on a bench, using a dull putty knife about 3-4" wide to force the rubber into the slot, then to reinstall the bow, and do the rest of the nasty......
I did my own top not long ago, and had to redo it, with tips from a pro....
OH the glue you want is HH -66 off ebay....meant to glue vinyl materials.....
OH, the deck gasket sometimes has a cord about 1/8 diameter inside the rubber of the gasket...you need pull that out first, and it really don't need be there, actually....not in my case anyway.....
second off, that rear bow on the top is a mess to work on, while attached to the frame....two bolts on each side/end and that loop comes off when you cut the old canvass off it, you can then put on a bench and note how that back rubber strip comes outta the slot, and most tops have a bead that goes in the same slot as the rubber gasket....it is much easier to work that whole back most section together on a bench, using a dull putty knife about 3-4" wide to force the rubber into the slot, then to reinstall the bow, and do the rest of the nasty......
I did my own top not long ago, and had to redo it, with tips from a pro....
OH the glue you want is HH -66 off ebay....meant to glue vinyl materials.....OH, the deck gasket sometimes has a cord about 1/8 diameter inside the rubber of the gasket...you need pull that out first, and it really don't need be there, actually....not in my case anyway.....
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 722
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Here is what info source I used which was great when replacing my soft top:
http://rowleycorvette.com/corvette_repair3.html
http://www.rowleycorvette.com/corvette_repair3b.html
Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Definitely go with the Robbin's top . They are the best top out there . Stay away from Al Knoch , they are inconsistent . However the Al Knoch video is a good guide for someone with limited experience in installing tops . Make sure the rear bow weatherstrip is not the cheap import type or you probably will fight it and probably will not get it to go in . The USA weatherstrips are easy to work with .
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 262
From: Blue Bell PA
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
Definitely go with the Robbin's top . They are the best top out there . Stay away from Al Knoch , they are inconsistent . However the Al Knoch video is a good guide for someone with limited experience in installing tops . Make sure the rear bow weatherstrip is not the cheap import type or you probably will fight it and probably will not get it to go in . The USA weatherstrips are easy to work with .
Mine seems to be fairly new I should be able to reuse it. I think
Thanks Jim
