I'm getting ready to begin restoring my hard top and am looking for advice. I've searched the forum for posting, but have not found any. Is there anyone out there who has done a restoration and is willing to give some advice?

 

I'm in the process now. I have removed the headliner, window trim, window, side trim, front trim, and weatherstrip. I removed the old vinyl and am waiting on the new vinyl.

 

 

I never got into the paint on my hardtop, as when buying the car it was new and really fine shape....

but the hardtop interior was really bad....

if you have troubles there, PM/email me for a explanation of how to save it without spending a ton of bux....

 

I havent restored a hardtop before and my exterior is in fine shape but do want to try to clean up the interior side of the hardtop and install new weather striping.
Question? When seperating the the headliner from the hardtop, what tool did you use to seperate the headliner from the top. One of the fastners has the rivets pulled out of the fiberglass and I dont want to break anymore trying to pry them apart with a screwdriver which is the tool I was going to use.
Thanks, GG.

 

I didn't use any tool. I just carefully work them out one at a time. Be carefull with the side pieces as they have two small bolts that hold them on to the top piece. They only go through the cardboard backer and can tear out.

 

Not really bolts but studs with nuts.
Be carefull when you take it out. Then get your nuts off.

 

Midlifemuscle, Thanks for posting this thread. Didnt mean to hijack this info but you helped get me motivated to get this top interior done in the next couple of weeks.

Z10KL,
Thanks for the information. The pictures said it all.
GG

 

Anyone have any tips to revitalize the old dried out vynil? The vynil has shrunk, and has pulled the cardboard in a bit.

Thanks,
Matt

 

If the vinyl is not damaged....cracked, chipped, etc., you can just clean it well with detergent and water. Since the backing is fiberboard, but careful getting that part wet. Rinse well a couple of times. Then buy a pint of SEM "Color Coat" vinyl dye and a Pre-Val bottle sprayer [total cost less than $25] at a local professional auto body paint supply store. Shoot the liner with the dye in light, covering coats. The dye is thin, so don't let it run. When you get some practice at it, you will know how to shoot it to get the surface 'wet' but not cause runs. Vinyl dye is very forgiving and most small runs will dry smooth. Put a couple of coats on the liner and let it dry for an hour or so. Then give it a protective coat of Nu-Vinyl (polymer protectant for 'plastics') or similar stuff made by Meguiar's. It will look like new.

For the 'shrinking' issue, I don't know of a good way to resolve that. But, if you can get the snap-fasteners to reconnect, that shouldn't be a problem. Perhaps someone else has a good method for getting the original shape back.

Small cracks/dings/chips in the vinyl can be repaired by filling with polyester body putty (Bondo), then doing the dye job. I don't know of any source for a new vinyl 'skin' for the headliner; but that is another option if you can locate one.