Targa repair
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 588
Likes: 35
From: Smithfield VA
Targa repair
My targa top is starting to separate. The top panel is separating from the tops frame on the leading edge of the top. Right now, when I use the top, I cover the leading edge (windshield edge) with electrical tape to prevent air from getting under the top and ripping the top's panel off the top's frame (like what happened to my clear top).
Looking for advice on how/if I can fix this myself before the top separates. I don't have +$500 to spend on my car right now, and I don't have a garage to keep it in. This is the only usable top I have for the car, and let's just say spring time in Virginia is wet. Is there any way I can repair the top before it comes completely apart without having to spend several hundred dollars? If I can't fix it myself, what shop does the least expensive quality top rebuild? I do still have my clear top, it's just in 2 pieces.
Looking for advice on how/if I can fix this myself before the top separates. I don't have +$500 to spend on my car right now, and I don't have a garage to keep it in. This is the only usable top I have for the car, and let's just say spring time in Virginia is wet. Is there any way I can repair the top before it comes completely apart without having to spend several hundred dollars? If I can't fix it myself, what shop does the least expensive quality top rebuild? I do still have my clear top, it's just in 2 pieces.
Last edited by 1stVetteFinally; Mar 26, 2016 at 09:32 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 949
Likes: 34
From: La Junta Colorado
Have not seen this issue myself, so this is a wild guess at this point.
Can you get a clamp on it? If so, can you put some two part epoxy between the panels and clamp them down over night?
Can you get a clamp on it? If so, can you put some two part epoxy between the panels and clamp them down over night?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 588
Likes: 35
From: Smithfield VA
That's my initial thought. Just figured I ask if there was some other known fix for this that may be better.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Don't use two-part epoxy! The thermal coefficients of expansion of the acrylic top and the aluminum frame are quite different, which will cause the hard epoxy to crack. Don't use RTV. It doesn't have sufficient strength for this application, and will be cause complications for the inevitable rework. You don't want to become an unintentional member of the FRC (Flying Roof Club), even though the membership is quite large!
Here's the right answer: I did my top about 6 years ago, and it's working fine. I tried several techniques before finding this answer. This problem comes up regularly enough that I think this procedure should be made a "sticky".
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ir-advice.html
Here's the right answer: I did my top about 6 years ago, and it's working fine. I tried several techniques before finding this answer. This problem comes up regularly enough that I think this procedure should be made a "sticky".
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ir-advice.html
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 588
Likes: 35
From: Smithfield VA
Don't use two-part epoxy! The thermal coefficients of expansion of the acrylic top and the aluminum frame are quite different, which will cause the hard epoxy to crack. Don't use RTV. It doesn't have sufficient strength for this application, and will be cause complications for the inevitable rework. You don't want to become an unintentional member of the FRC (Flying Roof Club), even though the membership is quite large!
Here's the right answer: I did my top about 6 years ago, and it's working fine. I tried several techniques before finding this answer. This problem comes up regularly enough that I think this procedure should be made a "sticky".
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ir-advice.html
Here's the right answer: I did my top about 6 years ago, and it's working fine. I tried several techniques before finding this answer. This problem comes up regularly enough that I think this procedure should be made a "sticky".
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ir-advice.html
I'm already a member of FRC because of my acrylic (glass) top, it's my painted top that I'm trying to save.
Last edited by 1stVetteFinally; Mar 27, 2016 at 08:32 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,096
Likes: 820
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Same here! And that's after I repaired it. That's crazy, I didn't know the painted top could seperate.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 588
Likes: 35
From: Smithfield VA
I'll take some pics after it stops raining. I started to notice more wind sound at speeds of +60 mph a couple months ago. I looked the top over then and didn't see any problems. Last weekend, when reinstalling the top, I actually felt the panel and frame flex from where they are separated at. That's when I actually saw the separation. To be perfectly honest, I'm really surprised it didn't completely separate. The top is separated across 75% of the front edge of the top. One more drive without tape sealing the front edge, and it would have completely separated.
Last edited by 1stVetteFinally; Mar 27, 2016 at 10:07 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
My 84 transparent top was separated like that when I purchased the car. I used 3m window weld to repair it. It has held up for over two years.
I took the top completely off the frame and cleaned both surfaces and then used the window weld to rebond it.
I took the top completely off the frame and cleaned both surfaces and then used the window weld to rebond it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,096
Likes: 820
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
My glass top wasn't that bad, yet it still separated and flew off. I found a targa local to me when my glass one flew off. Hopefully you can find one at a good price
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I just completed this same task. Pull the acrylic top away from the frame. Scrape all of the old weather stripping away and clean the top too. You need to get weather stripping that is no more than a 1/4" thick and use the weather strip adhesive and bond it to the frame on the outer rail. Then do the same to the inner rail. Then set the frame on the car and just set the acrylic top on it and align it. Use tape and put a piece on the acrylic and over the frame to mark it. I cut the tape right at the edge of the frame. Do that in several spots for alignment. Then Use weather strip adhesive on the top side of the weather strip on the frame and set the top on it using the tape marks. Then clamp it together. I bought 10 small clamps and it was perfect. Let it dry for 4-6 hours. It worked perfectly for me.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 588
Likes: 35
From: Smithfield VA
It's not the acrylic top I trying to save. That came apart 10 days after buying Rose (my Vette). That top was in need of replacement when I bought Rose because of all the blemishes and scratches it had. This is the solid painted top I'm trying to save.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,380
Likes: 2,744
is the weather stripping sacrificed in this process?
Hi Roy, I read the post you made on that thread that you linked below. Thank you for the informative instruction set.
During the repair process you describe, is the weather stripping on the targa top sacrificed in the process or can we use the 1" putty knife method to work the acrylic top out of the aluminum frame without damaging weather stripping on the targa top?
Thanks!
During the repair process you describe, is the weather stripping on the targa top sacrificed in the process or can we use the 1" putty knife method to work the acrylic top out of the aluminum frame without damaging weather stripping on the targa top?
Thanks!
Don't use two-part epoxy! The thermal coefficients of expansion of the acrylic top and the aluminum frame are quite different, which will cause the hard epoxy to crack. Don't use RTV. It doesn't have sufficient strength for this application, and will be cause complications for the inevitable rework. You don't want to become an unintentional member of the FRC (Flying Roof Club), even though the membership is quite large!
Here's the right answer: I did my top about 6 years ago, and it's working fine. I tried several techniques before finding this answer. This problem comes up regularly enough that I think this procedure should be made a "sticky".
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ir-advice.html
Here's the right answer: I did my top about 6 years ago, and it's working fine. I tried several techniques before finding this answer. This problem comes up regularly enough that I think this procedure should be made a "sticky".
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ir-advice.html
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 588
Likes: 35
From: Smithfield VA
Ok guys, question. I'm plan on trying to fix my solid targa top today. Let's completely forget about the clear/glass/acrylic/theoneyoucanseethough top for the purposes of this thread. My question is this.
The top I am attempting to repair is about 1/2 way separated from the frame (front and down one side). Should I try to reattach the separated part by just getting epoxy in the separation as best as I can? Or should I go ahead and completely remove the top from the frame and reattach the top to the frame?
Personally, I"m thinking the latter because no matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll be able to get the epoxy to completely cover the full separation. If the two parts are completely separated, I'll be able to get a complete covering of the contact surfaces with the epoxy.
Opinions/thoughts? I can not screw up this top as it's the only top I have in any kind of usable condition, and Tropical Storm Colin is suppose to be here tomorrow. I don't have a garage or carport.
The top I am attempting to repair is about 1/2 way separated from the frame (front and down one side). Should I try to reattach the separated part by just getting epoxy in the separation as best as I can? Or should I go ahead and completely remove the top from the frame and reattach the top to the frame?
Personally, I"m thinking the latter because no matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll be able to get the epoxy to completely cover the full separation. If the two parts are completely separated, I'll be able to get a complete covering of the contact surfaces with the epoxy.
Opinions/thoughts? I can not screw up this top as it's the only top I have in any kind of usable condition, and Tropical Storm Colin is suppose to be here tomorrow. I don't have a garage or carport.
Last edited by 1stVetteFinally; Jun 6, 2016 at 08:37 AM.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,380
Likes: 2,744
dont do anything now. wait till the storm passes as this will take you 4-5 days.
Ok guys, question. I'm plan on trying to fix my solid targa top today. Let's completely forget about the clear/glass/acrylic/theoneyoucanseethough top for the purposes of this thread. My question is this.
The top I am attempting to repair is about 1/2 way separated from the frame (front and down one side). Should I try to reattach the separated part by just getting epoxy in the separation as best as I can? Or should I go ahead and completely remove the top from the frame and reattach the top to the frame?
Personally, I"m thinking the latter because no matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll be able to get the epoxy to completely cover the full separation. If the two parts are completely separated, I'll be able to get a complete covering of the contact surfaces with the epoxy.
Opinions/thoughts? I can not screw up this top as it's the only top I have in any kind of usable condition, and Tropical Storm Colin is suppose to be here tomorrow. I don't have a garage or carport.
The top I am attempting to repair is about 1/2 way separated from the frame (front and down one side). Should I try to reattach the separated part by just getting epoxy in the separation as best as I can? Or should I go ahead and completely remove the top from the frame and reattach the top to the frame?
Personally, I"m thinking the latter because no matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll be able to get the epoxy to completely cover the full separation. If the two parts are completely separated, I'll be able to get a complete covering of the contact surfaces with the epoxy.
Opinions/thoughts? I can not screw up this top as it's the only top I have in any kind of usable condition, and Tropical Storm Colin is suppose to be here tomorrow. I don't have a garage or carport.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
Ok guys, question. I'm plan on trying to fix my solid targa top today. Let's completely forget about the clear/glass/acrylic/theoneyoucanseethough top for the purposes of this thread. My question is this.
The top I am attempting to repair is about 1/2 way separated from the frame (front and down one side). Should I try to reattach the separated part by just getting epoxy in the separation as best as I can? Or should I go ahead and completely remove the top from the frame and reattach the top to the frame?
Personally, I"m thinking the latter because no matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll be able to get the epoxy to completely cover the full separation. If the two parts are completely separated, I'll be able to get a complete covering of the contact surfaces with the epoxy.
Opinions/thoughts? I can not screw up this top as it's the only top I have in any kind of usable condition, and Tropical Storm Colin is suppose to be here tomorrow. I don't have a garage or carport.
The top I am attempting to repair is about 1/2 way separated from the frame (front and down one side). Should I try to reattach the separated part by just getting epoxy in the separation as best as I can? Or should I go ahead and completely remove the top from the frame and reattach the top to the frame?
Personally, I"m thinking the latter because no matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll be able to get the epoxy to completely cover the full separation. If the two parts are completely separated, I'll be able to get a complete covering of the contact surfaces with the epoxy.
Opinions/thoughts? I can not screw up this top as it's the only top I have in any kind of usable condition, and Tropical Storm Colin is suppose to be here tomorrow. I don't have a garage or carport.
