T-Top Repro Liner Install
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
T-Top Repro Liner Install
Years ago, I bought a pair of repro T-Top liners (red). Now I find their is a fit problem. T top liners, looking at them installed, have a general concave shape. The repro liners have a plastic substrate as compared to the paper fiberboard of the originals. The problem with the repro liners is that they are too concave....the edges stick up and won't allow the nylon velcro pads to touch....if I press with my hands real hard, I can get some of the velcro pads to latch up, but when I release hand pressure...they pop loose.
Anyone have experience dealing with repro interior pieces that almost fit?
One thought is to get some heat guns and warm the plastic substraate ....hopefully it will soften, allow the velcro pads to latch together....and retain it''s shape when cooled. Anyone had any experience heating plastic substrates to adjust their shape?
Repro Parts:
If a repro part is of good quality, it won't fit
If a repro part fits, it's poor quality.
Anyone have experience dealing with repro interior pieces that almost fit?
One thought is to get some heat guns and warm the plastic substraate ....hopefully it will soften, allow the velcro pads to latch together....and retain it''s shape when cooled. Anyone had any experience heating plastic substrates to adjust their shape?
Repro Parts:
If a repro part is of good quality, it won't fit
If a repro part fits, it's poor quality.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Sep 13, 2020 at 06:02 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4,889
Likes: 202
From: Jackson MS
Years ago, I bought a pair of repro T-Top liners (red). Now I find their is a fit problem. T top liners, looking at them installed, have a general concave shape. The repro liners have a plastic substrate as compared to the paper fiberboard of the originals. The problem with the repro liners is that they are too concave....the edges stick up and won't allow the nylon velcro pads to touch....if I press with my hands real hard, I can get some of the velcro pads to latch up, but when I release hand pressure...they pop loose.
Anyone have experience dealing with repro interior pieces that almost fit?
One thought is to get some heat guns and warm the plastic substraate ....hopefully it will soften, allow the velcro pads to latch together....and retain it''s shape when cooled. Anyone had any experience heating plastic substrates to adjust their shape?
Repro Parts:
If a repro part is of good quality, it won't fit
If a repro part fits, it's poor quality.
Anyone have experience dealing with repro interior pieces that almost fit?
One thought is to get some heat guns and warm the plastic substraate ....hopefully it will soften, allow the velcro pads to latch together....and retain it''s shape when cooled. Anyone had any experience heating plastic substrates to adjust their shape?
Repro Parts:
If a repro part is of good quality, it won't fit
If a repro part fits, it's poor quality.
Like your T-Top parts, it had a plastic substrate instead of the fiberboard.
This part for perfectly for me.
I wouldn't be afraid to use a heat gun to soften your parts and tweak the fit.
I don't use my headliner panels - in order to get some extra head room.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,140
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
I'd stick them in a warm oven (125-150°) for 20 mins or so to soften then immediately attach them to the t-top and hold until cool. A heat gun may be too localized and difficult to control temperatures - and is way hotter than the oven idea.
