C3 T-Top Trim Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
C3 T-Top Trim Question
Help!!! I'm tring to reinstall the t-top trim and the part that I though would be a problem was easy and now can understand the attaching srews the hold the outside trim and weather strip in place, AL.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Al, I'm not exactly sure what you need to know, but maybe I can help. The outside s/s trim goes on first then the weatherstrip with 4 screws and the old rivet located at the back end. Are you leaving the rivet hole empty?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
T-Top Trim and Weather Strio
Originally Posted by Red 69
Al, I'm not exactly sure what you need to know, but maybe I can help. The outside s/s trim goes on first then the weatherstrip with 4 screws and the old rivet located at the back end. Are you leaving the rivet hole empty?
I can see the trim must go on before the weatherstrip, thats not the problem. I may need to call you on this, its hard to explain, but I'll try. It looks like the same holes that hold the trim on are the same ones that hold the weatherstrip on, but the holes in the trim are smaller then the screws that hold it together 
. Forward (PM) me a contact number and a good time reach you if possable, Thanks AL.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Originally Posted by IDOXLR8
Well I didn't get much input on this one so I think I'm going to relpace the stock tops with the glass tops, AL.
hey Al,
so what are you trying to do?
gev me a PM or a jingle and well figure it out
Tim
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
Originally Posted by sweethence
hey Al,
so what are you trying to do?
gev me a PM or a jingle and well figure it out
Tim
so what are you trying to do?
gev me a PM or a jingle and well figure it out
Tim
I sent you a e-mail on this and I feel kind of after "RED69" figured out what I was doing wrong, I was trying to use the wrong holes 
, AL.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
Originally Posted by Red 69
I will post a few pictures when I get a chance, maybe they will help.
. Thanks for your follow up the other night, you were a great help and I will return the favor when needed , AL.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Hey Al, sorry for the delay in posting pics. I had to clean the crud off the s/s so you coiuld see what I was talking about. Here they are, if you need more email me and I will send you what you need. Good luck and keep us posted on your results with the rubber.
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Remember, the screws align with the notches and holes are for rivets.
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[/IMG]Remember, the screws align with the notches and holes are for rivets.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
T-Top Questions
I will be making a post on this as far the question on "should I remove or leave the t-top trim on for painting" have got some good pointers on this and will share this with you guys, even knowing I don't know my left from my right AL.
AL.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Al, I think now that you have a handle on how these pieces go on, I think I'd wait till after paint to put them on.
I thought about posting earlier in this thread, but I couldn't remember how the trim went on my own car, so I didn't want to give any false info. After seeing Red 69's pics, NOW I remember!
I thought about posting earlier in this thread, but I couldn't remember how the trim went on my own car, so I didn't want to give any false info. After seeing Red 69's pics, NOW I remember!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
When Al and I spoke he said he had the paint completed and was in the reassembly stage. I can remember several times the question of removing t-top trim before paint had come up on this forum. Removing the trim before paint is not something I remember being covered in detail. From my memory most leave the trim in place for paint. A local Corvette shop know for their beautiful paint told me they paint with the trim on unless told otherwise. It would seem a better job could be done with the trim off, but it requires more time. My question to AL was how much risk to damaging the new paint on reassembly? He sounded optimistic on the reassembly and said he would post a thread on the process. I for one would appreciate the guidance. He also has done some homework on the weatherstrip, just what I need. I'm sure he will be along to explain or start another thread.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
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Likes: 33
As far as the T-Top trim, after the rivet are removed it's was not hard to remove you just need a soft wooden paint strirrer and tap the molding off working the trim off a little at a time working the trim easy back and forth a little at a time. And on the install I found Dawn dish soap really helped in the installation, AL.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
As far as the problem of damaging the new paint on the reinstall I will say it was easy and could not beleive how nice they went back on. The key is to not having e excessive paint built up and keeping the trim that came off the car and not using aftermarket or a piece that came off another car. The other think as I posted was using Dawn dish soap and making sure the trim is in the correct place before tring to install it. As far as a good way to make sure you have the trim in the correct position look at the under sid of the top and look for the little "peen" demples and look at the groove they made on the inside of the top and follow that. I will post picture of mine after I install the last piece and after you see how much nicer they look not having sanding scratches and paint build up you would go the route of removing the trim. Please note you do not want to have a excessive buld up of paint and body filler, just close to what the car would have had from the factory. If I can do this I positive you all can, AL.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Al-Didn't know you had your car painted already, though I'm sure it was mentioned before and just went by me
Pic looks good!
I remembered the trim going on easy as I had only one layer each of prime, base, and clear, all original pieces as you had said, they fit just like they were supposed to.
Looks like your making headway
Pic looks good!
I remembered the trim going on easy as I had only one layer each of prime, base, and clear, all original pieces as you had said, they fit just like they were supposed to.
Looks like your making headway
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
The next problem is dealing with the weather strips. As I posted the manufacture (Corvette Rubber Co.) did a super job with the 68-69 t-top weather strips but made a mistake on the plastic mounting pin location and I will be forwarding Corvette Rubber Co. the corrections so the next one who buys a set will not have any trouble installing there new set, AL.