Convertible Top Tips
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 988
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota Fl
Convertible Top Tips
I gave some tips to a forum member I sent my installation DVD to and thought I would share. If anyone has another others helpful hints, or questions, please reply. Here it is:
The foam used as a replacement for the adhesive insulator on the back of the weatherstrip retainers can be bought at Home Depot. It is called armacell insulating foam and can be found in the air conditioning aisle. When you remove the retainers, I found it easiest to save the insulating foam so I could trace the shape out on the armacell foam. Also, make sure you use an adhesive remover (I used the 3M general adhesive remover found at Autozone, ecklers, and midamerica) to clean all the retainers and the rear and front bows to ensure a good bond. If you plan on saving the weatherstripping, spray some in before removing them from the retainers.
You will need a T-20 star bit and philips #2 for all of the screws. In addition, you will need the 3M super weatherstripping and gasket adhesive (I used 2 entire tubes).
DON'T waste your money on the installation and removal tools ecklers and midamerica sell - I didn't use a single one - a flathead screwdriver actually worked better than the tools. A tack hammer helps for some of the installation steps - such as rear bow installation and pushing the staples on the frame down.
DO NOT lose any screws!!!! They are almost impossible to source!
DO label screws in ziploc bags next to their counterpart. I laid out all retainers on the floor and named with duct tape. This helps because some pieces look the same for the right and left side.
The Al Knoch video I have is very helpful, but they could have done more close-ups. Watch it on a smaller screen, as I tried to watch it on a large TV and it looked terrible. I believe it was made in the early 2000's even though the quality looks like the 80's. If you have any questions about the installation or removal, just PM me, I finished the new weatherstripping and top recently and it looks great. Do everything in the order as in the video, but don't glue the rear bow weatherstripping-save that for the last step. If you do it before, you might not be able to make any final adjustments.
Edit: If anyone needs a copy of the DVD, I've already sent one out today, and would be willing to send more out.
Jonathan
The foam used as a replacement for the adhesive insulator on the back of the weatherstrip retainers can be bought at Home Depot. It is called armacell insulating foam and can be found in the air conditioning aisle. When you remove the retainers, I found it easiest to save the insulating foam so I could trace the shape out on the armacell foam. Also, make sure you use an adhesive remover (I used the 3M general adhesive remover found at Autozone, ecklers, and midamerica) to clean all the retainers and the rear and front bows to ensure a good bond. If you plan on saving the weatherstripping, spray some in before removing them from the retainers.
You will need a T-20 star bit and philips #2 for all of the screws. In addition, you will need the 3M super weatherstripping and gasket adhesive (I used 2 entire tubes).
DON'T waste your money on the installation and removal tools ecklers and midamerica sell - I didn't use a single one - a flathead screwdriver actually worked better than the tools. A tack hammer helps for some of the installation steps - such as rear bow installation and pushing the staples on the frame down.
DO NOT lose any screws!!!! They are almost impossible to source!
DO label screws in ziploc bags next to their counterpart. I laid out all retainers on the floor and named with duct tape. This helps because some pieces look the same for the right and left side.
The Al Knoch video I have is very helpful, but they could have done more close-ups. Watch it on a smaller screen, as I tried to watch it on a large TV and it looked terrible. I believe it was made in the early 2000's even though the quality looks like the 80's. If you have any questions about the installation or removal, just PM me, I finished the new weatherstripping and top recently and it looks great. Do everything in the order as in the video, but don't glue the rear bow weatherstripping-save that for the last step. If you do it before, you might not be able to make any final adjustments.
Edit: If anyone needs a copy of the DVD, I've already sent one out today, and would be willing to send more out.
Jonathan
Last edited by janarvae; Feb 19, 2008 at 06:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 988
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota Fl
Jonathan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 988
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota Fl
Roger,
I just sent out your DVD. The shipping was $4.86 with bubble packaging. $5 or $6 would cover the shipping cost and blank DVD cost. PM me when you get it.
Save the wave,
Jonathan
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Springfield MA
if anyone with the dvd it could be ripped with VLC (free program) here are some very good instructions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdQKtxto7C4)
