car addict

Okay, I'm a nOOb. So if I sound ignorant,....

Bought my first Corvette last fall. 96 LT4 coupe, Polo II, 78k mi when I bought it.

Right now I'm obsessed with the targa top and largely hating it. Like sitting under a magnifying lens on a 90+ degrees sunny day. Seems like a stupid idea.

The top I have I assume to be glass. You can see through it from inside. Were fiberglass panels available for 1996? Did glass top ever have any kind of liner? All I ever see for sale are blue or copper glass tops. Mine looks black to me.

What have others of you done to try to mitigate solar heat gain in the cockpit? I tried the "static cling" liner, but I am apparently the only one who can't make one stay in place unless I glue it.

I am seriously considering painting the inside of my top.

Any information will be sincerely appreciated.

Kens94

I have the same irritation with my top. I live in South Carolina so it's the armpit of the nation lol Yes fiberglass painted tops were available on the 1996. I have ordered a cloth black liner from Corvette Central.
Item #: 604113
Description: ROOF PANEL HEADLINER BLACKOUT

I'm still waiting on it so I can't state whether it works or not. Good luck to you!
Ken

car addict

Thank you for the part info. Please post your experience and impressions when you receive it.

Kens94

I will do that, I've been waiting 2 months to get it so it better work!

RollaMo-LT4

Standard was a solid fiberglass painted top.
You could also get the transparent top in either blue or bronze tint.
Or you could get both tops as an option.

I have both tops for my '96 (purchased the transparent from forum member).
I never use the transparent top during the warmer months.

They are not actually glass, but some type of transparent Acrylic.

TorchTarga94

You wanna sell your glass targa to me and buy yourself a fiberglass one?

car addict

Not yet. Don't have a fiberglass one lined up for purchase.

Mayor111

I dont know where you can buy it, but on my 94 that I just sold, it had a vinyl decal that covered the entire targa. It blocked out a ton of sunlight yet allowed you to "feel" the clear targa look.

B17Crew

Congrats on your ‘96.

You may want to reconsider painting your acrylic top. They are worth a pretty penny in good condition, altering it would impact its value. Selling it should not be a problem or making a trade for a hardtop for your acrylic top.

B17Crew

RIC96

I've been thinking about trying a wrap.

Hot Rod Roy

The interior surface of your acrylic top must be super clean to have the "static cling" sheet work properly. Remove the top, so you're not working upside down. I installed my perforated "cling" sheet about ten years ago, and it's never been off, and it clings just fine! I like it!

Kens94

I thought about the cling film then I found the cloth liner and decided I would like it better. My top is spider webed but not a crack. Wish I could fix that but I bet it would cost more than a replacement.

Thomas Moore

Wrap it. My 95 came with a black carbon fiber wrap and it looks good on my white baby. Hope it shows as my profile pic. Tom

1800Wing

I found a beautiful color near perfect match for my 96 on Craigslist...forget what I paid for it but it wasn't stupid. Came from a 94, brought it home gave it a wash and buff and have been using it ever since.

later, tiny

vetteman42

I agree......had my "cling" on for probably 14 yrs ...the key like most things is preparation....preparation!

SAVE THE WAVE

mark970

We are all noobs (or were all noobs at one time) to it's all good. Im finding the older i get the less interested in the targa roof i am. when i was younger i never had the roof on, now i never take it off. i too feel the heat beating on my forehead is not ideal BUT the look of the tinted roof is freaking amazing!!! to answer your questions yes you can buy a painted fiberglass roof panel, in fact many cars came with both (its a factory option). you can buy these off ebay but they arent cheap anymore...way back in the day they were usually $299 but now they are around $600. I myself have been considering the cling thing, just havent made the move. post pics when you do whatever it is you plan to do. also...if youre at all interested, i'm shamelessly promoting my youtube DIY channel for the C4...you are more than welcomed to watch some videos or even request a topic for me to make.
anyways nice car you have and enjoy your weekend!!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC49...4LdMJ_d2KjBznw

Joe C5 C2

I had one of the cloth type inserts when I had my C5 and it worked pretty good and that was when I lived in Phoenix. Hold out for the one your ordered, I think it will fill your objective.

94Green

I have a 94 polo green corvette with 41,000 miles, garaged all it's life. The solid targa roof I have is mint, want to trade?

car addict

Beautiful car you have there, sir. If I could drive over and make the switch, probably. But for now my A/C is my comfort. I'm going to keep looking for a liner that satisfies me. When the outside temp is in 50's to 70's, see-thru acrylic is grand.

car addict

Since your post, I've been looking all over for this product. Nobody had it in stock. Today I saw Zip say they have it. I ordered it immediately. So, if I get it, will post again.