I have a 93 vert and bought the dvd on how to do the install. I am going to tackle it myself when I do it.

Especially after seeing how bad a professional can botch it up....Ive learned that a person who has the know-how, tools, best parts, and most importantly CAREs about the end product can do a better job than a professional.

All that said....I want to touch on something that has not been discussed....

The brand top you used.... Is that a 'best quality' brand top?

It seems to me there was another brand top that was known as being the pinnacle for c4 vert tops.

If memory serves me right...Its $500+....Haartz is that the name?

Is their a chance some of the problem was in the top vs. the install job?

 

I had a new top installed on my car. I was lucky and found a new top at a upholstery shop that was closing, it's a Robbins top and the installer said that's one of the best in the business. The top looks great and fit perfectly, but it took him 6 hours. I'm pretty good with a wrench but I'm glad I left this chore to a pro.

 

I have done upholstery on collector cars for over 25 years. Installing a convertible top can be one of the more difficult things to do in upholstery. If you do not know what you are doing it can be very difficult. Although I have not done a Corvette top I have done tops on similar cars and would not recommend it to someone to do alone, especially if they have not done one before. Have a friend who has done one before help. Two people can do it better than one. Use a lot of patience, and be prepared for a lot of tugging and pulling. Tops need be be TIGHT in order to look good.

 

Here's what I learned about this mess from the 2 shops who looked at the top_

The top was trimmed around the edges in a sloppy manner. In some spots not leaving enough material to pull around the last bow.

The glue that was used was not correct. The can said for use on tops-but both of the shops said they used a type of glue that is used to put counter top down!

The instruction on the incorrect glue said curing time 24 hours. I was told to leave the top alone for 3 hours the first and second times! The guy never read the instruction on the wrong type of glue! After the second install I left the top alone for a little over 24 hours. Both shops said to leave the top alone for 7 days!

Other problem that have become apparent:

After the second attempt at repair-He ruined the weather strip that goes between the last bow and the deck. It was in good condition, but he tore the last 6 inches of it off removing it-It might have given him problems-I dont know-but he tried to glue the broken piece back on! He never told me about this problem. It fell off when one of the new shops was looking at it. He did NOT use the correct glue on the weather strip-just the same spray on glue he used on the top!

Scratches on the deck lid and deck-These will polish out. He did put cloth protection on it during installation-but near the end of the job he couldn't find the metal channels that go back on the bow to hold the weather strip on. They were under the cloth-laying on the back deck! I witnessed this when he was searching for them!

Glue over spray on the back window, the back shelf, and on the seats and the exterior of the car! Just SLOPPY workmanship-or no workmanship at all!

Hopefully the shop that has it now will be successful repairing it! I don't want to have to buy another top, and pay for a second install!

The top was purchased from Ecklers, It was made by Kee. Neither of the 2 shops I took the car to made any comments about the quality of the top.

The shop who is trying to correct it should be done today. The guy said he felt he could fix it-50/50 chance. If he couldn't no charge. If he is successful I will publish his name so others in the Gainesville Fl. area might use him!

 

We are all anxious to hear how you make out. Good luck, sounds like you went to a good place.

 

I hope it works out for you after going through all that.

 

Sorry it tool so long to get back...I just want to put up one more horrible picture of quality workmanship on this top-----this one says it all...

 

Now for the good news and pictures. The gentlemen at Broadway Auto Brokers (Gainesville, Fl,)-Mr. Michael LoConto did the work. He apologized for the
area where the top is not fully pulled down-He did not have enough material to work with to get it completely down! Considering the mess, I am VERY HAPPY. This was the gentlemen who said he would try to fix it, and if he didn't, no charge. He charged me $400.00 for this. I am VERY HAPPY-If any one wants to know the name of the guy who screwed it up-send me a PM, and I will give the name and other info!
Thanks for the support and kind words from members of this site! MUCH APPRECIATED!:f lag:

 

That looks more like it! I looked at those and then the before pictures. What a difference. Im glad he was able to work with what you had left.

 

Looks great! Glad it could be salvaged...and a real shame you had to pay twice to get it done but at least it is done now.

Happy for you,

Lee

 

THANK YOU, LEE !

 

thank you!:d

 

IMO shops look at packaged tops as a way to make $$$ utilizing the $8 hour flunky to make $$$. As someone else posted here it's not a cakewalk.
Spent two years fighting with a high level shop that specialized in handmade classic car upholstery in Redford MI (out of business now) on my 65 GTO convert. Shop was blaming the mfgr: Electron tops, and Electron looked at my pics and said WTF? Who screwed that up?

I think all upholstery shops are one step below home siding and window shops.

IMHO

 

I love your car, the color combination is beautiful. You deserve how it looks, great job!

 

thanks !!!!!!!!!

 

I am preparing my small claims filing against the guy who screwed up my top I have good documentation, including pictures of the problems. What I am lacking, and have not been able to find one on the net, is a good picture of a properly installed top on a '94 Vette! Especially the area along the back where it meets the deck.

So if you can furnish me a good picture of your 94 top, or direct me to one, I would appreciate it. You can just post it here as a reply, and I'll down load it!

THANKS !!!!!!!!

 

I did upholstery on collector cars for over 25 years. I always used Electron tops and found them to be the best available. One time there was a problem with one top. I took photos and e-mailed them to Electron. Their reply was we made a mistake. A new top is on the way.
I highly recommend Electron.