Debris stuck inside T-top
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
Debris stuck inside T-top
I took off all the weatherstripping and trim peices from my 70 T-tops to get them ready for paint. A couple of the small white plastic tips that hold the weatherstripping on fell inside the double walled area around the outside edge of the T-top. When I move the T-top around, I can hear them rattling around inside. Trouble is, I can't get them out. Has anyone run into this before or have a solution short of cutting a hole, or spraying glue inside to capture them? Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,195
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I drilled a small hole and got them all out, and plugged it back up.
Covered on page 7 of my thread here.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...journey-7.html
Covered on page 7 of my thread here.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...journey-7.html
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,684
Likes: 696
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I also cut a small hole on the back side of the top, had some broken rivet heads in there, glassed the hole backup.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
Thanks. I think I'll cut a hole / plug and either glass it or RTV the plug in case I have to get back in there again. Craig - thanks for sending the link. That was an interesting read. Its great to see how others are solving the same problems I've run into during restoration. Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,279
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi LS5,
I spent some time shaking the top panel to see if I could get a sense of how the debris moved around.
I then drilled a 1/2" hole in one corner in a place that would be completely concealed when the interior soft trim piece was installed. I didn't fill the single hole in each panel.
I figure as long as those holes are there I'll never have to get a loose piece out again.
BE VERY CAREFUL that you don't go through the top surface by mistake.
I used an old hand powered drill so I could judge the moment the bit began to go through the fiberglass.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I spent some time shaking the top panel to see if I could get a sense of how the debris moved around.
I then drilled a 1/2" hole in one corner in a place that would be completely concealed when the interior soft trim piece was installed. I didn't fill the single hole in each panel.
I figure as long as those holes are there I'll never have to get a loose piece out again.
BE VERY CAREFUL that you don't go through the top surface by mistake.
I used an old hand powered drill so I could judge the moment the bit began to go through the fiberglass.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
Alan, the back of my T-tops were 'blacked out'. I like the idea of painting body color underneath as you did. They look better that way. Were the backs of yours originally blacked out or were they red? Steve