Weird Top padding problem, the bow pad incident
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: washington MI
Weird Top padding problem, the bow pad incident
This is my second convertible top restoration. During my first I purchased the GM convertible top for my 87 Vette, its installation was painless. On my current purchase, I bought the kit from A. A. Best company and decided to buy all the options. One of those options was a bow pad kit.
Now for the life of me, I can't figure out where these things go. They weren't on the car when it was stock, and they look like they are designed to prevent the metal from creasing the top. Anyone know where to put these things?
Here is a Ecklers Web site where they sell them and have pictures of them.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?d...&pf%5Fid=A1565
They appear too wide to put over the bows that go across the top frame. They also taper from their 9 inch width to 7.5 inches,. They have a curve that seems to match the exterior frame of the top, but the 35-38 inch length makes it necessary to trim about 8 inches off to prevent imparing the rear window.
Thanks for any help.
Now for the life of me, I can't figure out where these things go. They weren't on the car when it was stock, and they look like they are designed to prevent the metal from creasing the top. Anyone know where to put these things?
Here is a Ecklers Web site where they sell them and have pictures of them.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?d...&pf%5Fid=A1565
They appear too wide to put over the bows that go across the top frame. They also taper from their 9 inch width to 7.5 inches,. They have a curve that seems to match the exterior frame of the top, but the 35-38 inch length makes it necessary to trim about 8 inches off to prevent imparing the rear window.
Thanks for any help.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: washington MI
Re: Weird Top padding problem, the bow pad incident (Mr Y Car)
More information describing the bow pads.
They have canvas on one side, foam in the middle and a light cloth on the bottom. It looks like you wrap the cloth around something. Each side of the canvas is trimmed like the edges of the convertible top.
I think these need to be sowed on to something because there is no obviosu fastening points.
They have canvas on one side, foam in the middle and a light cloth on the bottom. It looks like you wrap the cloth around something. Each side of the canvas is trimmed like the edges of the convertible top.
I think these need to be sowed on to something because there is no obviosu fastening points.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: washington MI
Re: Weird Top padding problem, the bow pad incident (RatRacer)
Do you know where they go? Do they go over top of existing vinyl top bands that run the length of the top? If so they are too short. I've got the stapler ready, now to determine if that is their planned destination.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 118
From: Texas
Re: Weird Top padding problem, the bow pad incident (Mr Y Car)
Not exactly, I saw a installation a while back and it looked like experience was pretty important for a clean install. The pads were stapled across the bow frames while being wrapped tightly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
the pads prevent the top from BLOWING up when driving at highway speeds...you ever see a convertible driving down the road with air bulging under the cloth top, the pads are there to prevent that. Not suure exactly how to install but my top installer told me about them.
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 1
From: Renton Wa.
When I ordered my top there was an option to get new pads, I opted to get them, now I have removed the old top and I don't see the pads installed anywhere? I suppose you could attach them to the existing top bows over the webbing that is installed but not sure how it would look with the top up. I also received some extra welting that doesn't appear to have been installed on the original?