glass top question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: simi valley ca
glass top question
what can i do, other than replace the complete top, to remove the hazing and webbing on the galss top. this is my second top, so i would hate to by another one. if i have to i will buy the fiberglass painted top.
thanks,
joel
thanks,
joel
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Re: glass top question (qkvette)
Joel-
Look into having the top professionally polished. I know that plastics can be "buffed out" using rouge and a buffing wheel. I used to work in a shop that restored the old 2-seater T-Birds, and we routinely polished tail light lenses, instrument cluster lenses, just about anything clear plastic. We could take something that looked terrible, and within a few minutes on the buffing wheel, make it look absolutely brand new.
I bought the stuff for my garage at Sears Hardware. Get a buffing wheel and a stick of rouge (made just for plastics) and have at it. You may be surprised at how nice it turns out. If that doesn't work, take it to a pro.
Look into having the top professionally polished. I know that plastics can be "buffed out" using rouge and a buffing wheel. I used to work in a shop that restored the old 2-seater T-Birds, and we routinely polished tail light lenses, instrument cluster lenses, just about anything clear plastic. We could take something that looked terrible, and within a few minutes on the buffing wheel, make it look absolutely brand new.
I bought the stuff for my garage at Sears Hardware. Get a buffing wheel and a stick of rouge (made just for plastics) and have at it. You may be surprised at how nice it turns out. If that doesn't work, take it to a pro.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: simi valley ca
Re: glass top question (MIke350)
i was thinking about getting it painted at my buddies shop. do you guys think it will work ?
i also read about buffing & polishing it from corvette fever. i may try this before painting.
thanks again,
joel
joel
i also read about buffing & polishing it from corvette fever. i may try this before painting.
thanks again,
joel
joel
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: TX
Re: glass top question (qkvette)
My top looked horrible when I bought the car, and I really wanted a painted top, so I figured I may as well try buffing the haze out. It was already ugly, so how much worse could I make it.
Well, it looked great after spending about 4+ hours wet sanding it by hand moving through all the grits of paper I had in my garage up to 2000 grit. The top was finally totally smooth, but I had to really work at it with some fine polishing compound to get it to shine again.
You also have to be careful with the metal around the acrylic, as it is painted black and the paint will come off. You may just want to plan on masking the acrylic off later and repainting the metal black if it gets scratched up.
Good Luck!
Well, it looked great after spending about 4+ hours wet sanding it by hand moving through all the grits of paper I had in my garage up to 2000 grit. The top was finally totally smooth, but I had to really work at it with some fine polishing compound to get it to shine again.
You also have to be careful with the metal around the acrylic, as it is painted black and the paint will come off. You may just want to plan on masking the acrylic off later and repainting the metal black if it gets scratched up.
Good Luck!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 0
From: Hampton Georgia
Re: glass top question (qkvette)
Is it crazed or scratched? if its crazed ,youll have to replace it,or paint it ,which I think would look cheap.If it is scratched,you can have it polished .I think the rule of thumb is if you can feel the scratch with your finger nail,it cant be polished. :yesnod: :seeya
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: simi valley ca
Re: glass top question (Jim D)
The top looks like a thin film is comming of the top, and you can peel it off with your finger nail.
I did a search on your name Jim and I found the procedure to refinish the top. I really don't have anything to lose except time, so might as well try it.
thanks again for all the info.
Joel
I did a search on your name Jim and I found the procedure to refinish the top. I really don't have anything to lose except time, so might as well try it.
thanks again for all the info.
Joel
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 1
From: Union KY
Re: glass top question (qkvette)
When mine got hazy, I took it to a local body shop. They wet sanded it with 800 grit, then buffed it with two wheels and polloshing glazes of lessening agressiveness until it looked like new. It too about an hour and cost me $50. Good luck. Cire96
