1985 Targa top repair
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Chesapeake Virginia
1985 Targa top repair
Hey guys,
I have a plexi-glass targa top that the frame has started to pull away from the glass, it's only in a small area around the drivers side front corner but enough to be a problem, the P.O. had already replaced the top with a new one but I got the old one with the car. i'd like to know if anyone has found a solution to repairing these, other than the frame pulling away the top is pretty much perfect. I've done a few searches but everything that comes up seems to be around the fiberglass or about cracks in the top, didn't see much about the frames pulling away.
thanks,
I have a plexi-glass targa top that the frame has started to pull away from the glass, it's only in a small area around the drivers side front corner but enough to be a problem, the P.O. had already replaced the top with a new one but I got the old one with the car. i'd like to know if anyone has found a solution to repairing these, other than the frame pulling away the top is pretty much perfect. I've done a few searches but everything that comes up seems to be around the fiberglass or about cracks in the top, didn't see much about the frames pulling away.
thanks,
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Often times this is due to where the top was purchased from. Some targa roof re-builders do a really crappy job and it shows in the end result.
Either you send it off and have it repaired....or try to use something on it. I do not want o comment on what to use because when using some specific adhesives...often times...an adhesion promoter has to be applied so the adhesive will "cross-link" and adhere. If the adhesion promoter or "primer" is not used...the problem will occur again and again.
Also...just wondering...has the weatherstrip on this car been replaced??? If it has...I have encountered numerous targa roofs that either crack, warp, buckle or separate due to improper style of weatherstrip being installed on the body...thus causing excessive stress on eh acrylic top material. Anytime a top is being installed...it has to be carefully installed and adjusted.
DUB
Either you send it off and have it repaired....or try to use something on it. I do not want o comment on what to use because when using some specific adhesives...often times...an adhesion promoter has to be applied so the adhesive will "cross-link" and adhere. If the adhesion promoter or "primer" is not used...the problem will occur again and again.
Also...just wondering...has the weatherstrip on this car been replaced??? If it has...I have encountered numerous targa roofs that either crack, warp, buckle or separate due to improper style of weatherstrip being installed on the body...thus causing excessive stress on eh acrylic top material. Anytime a top is being installed...it has to be carefully installed and adjusted.
DUB
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
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From: Chesapeake Virginia
thanks dub, to my knowledge nothing has been done to the car except for replacing the top, the car only has 44,000 miles on it and it doesn't look like it's been touched, BUT, it was repainted (poorly) due to the clear coming off the factory paint.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Olive Branch Mississippi
Winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
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I had an aftermarket top on mine that separated.
I cleaned the frame and top really well and had a glass shop replace the adhesive and it didn't last maybe 2 years.
There probably is some type of primer that should be applied also to make it stick.
I cleaned the frame and top really well and had a glass shop replace the adhesive and it didn't last maybe 2 years.
There probably is some type of primer that should be applied also to make it stick.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Anaheim CA
Check out this post from a guy with the same problem (and a fix):
https://www.corvetteforum.com/c4-tec...op-reglue.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/c4-tec...op-reglue.html
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
You first stated that it was an acrylic top...and now you wrote that it was factory painted.
Acrylic tops were never painted from the factory because they are see-through.
Check out this post from a guy with the same problem (and a fix):
https://www.corvetteforum.com/c4-tec...op-reglue.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/c4-tec...op-reglue.html
AS like what this guy in the post you provided...it usually will require the complete top being removed. I know it would be hard to do just one section and have it last. Just to hard to prep and apply the primer, etc.DUB
