buffing targa top
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 0
From: CA
That is a very good question.Hope someone will chime in on this.
It is acrylic plastic of somesort,and with the right compound,and the right buffing wheel,and the right speed,in theory it may be doable.
But there may be somekind of extra coating on the plastic that could be removed by this process,I don't know.I do know the original supplier to GM,no longer makes these tops,atleast for GM .I believe the original name was something like Almac plastics,I could be wrong,I will go out in the shop and check the name.But someone must be still making these for Astro tops.I've heard the quality isnt there like the OEM.
It is acrylic plastic of somesort,and with the right compound,and the right buffing wheel,and the right speed,in theory it may be doable.
But there may be somekind of extra coating on the plastic that could be removed by this process,I don't know.I do know the original supplier to GM,no longer makes these tops,atleast for GM .I believe the original name was something like Almac plastics,I could be wrong,I will go out in the shop and check the name.But someone must be still making these for Astro tops.I've heard the quality isnt there like the OEM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Bon Ami, I know some guys have posted all types of different ways in the General section, believe one guy even wet sanded his. But if you want to take the time Bon Ami is probably the safest way.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 41
From: Corinth TX
I am currently doing this exact thing. Someone had said that it worked out great for them versus buying a new top. I don't think they ever posted any pics of the finished product though. I can honestly say that it is alot of hard work mostly due to not having the right parts though. I probably started off using the wrong grit of sandpaper too but hey. live and learn. I used one of those palm sanders and progressively worked my way to a finer grit. I am still using the polishing compound but I am using a Mothers Polishing Ball. I need to switch over to my orbital buffer and see if that works better. I am thinking that when I finish I will either coat it with something or just spray some clearcoat over it. I looked at it like this, if I messed up I could always paint it to match the car or else buy a new top.
BTW, if you are looking for replacement tops. The best I have come across is Melrose T-Tops. They are a licensed OEM dealer.
http://www.melroset-tops.com/
BTW, if you are looking for replacement tops. The best I have come across is Melrose T-Tops. They are a licensed OEM dealer.
http://www.melroset-tops.com/
