sanding targa top
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: san diego california
sanding targa top
After experiencing the passenger peel, I decided to sand and polish the targa top. I read a few threads here, but I will have to say, the finish on the clear top is very, very hard. I dropped from 1000 grit down to 400 with an electric sander, and still only got about half done yesterday. It does come off, but it's not easy. After I get the rest done, then I can tell it will take another few hours of sanding to get a nice gloss finish (I tried a quick run through to 2500 grit, but I need to do each section more thoroughly).
So if you plan on doing it, I can see the reward ahead, but I cannot see starting with 1000 grit by hand. I got about an inch and a half strip done in an hour that way, and my shoulders were killing me, lol!
If I had a few extra bucks, I'd just get the top painted....easier and probably look better and be cooler.
So if you plan on doing it, I can see the reward ahead, but I cannot see starting with 1000 grit by hand. I got about an inch and a half strip done in an hour that way, and my shoulders were killing me, lol!
If I had a few extra bucks, I'd just get the top painted....easier and probably look better and be cooler.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 4
From: NW Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
After experiencing the passenger peel, I decided to sand and polish the targa top. I read a few threads here, but I will have to say, the finish on the clear top is very, very hard. I dropped from 1000 grit down to 400 with an electric sander, and still only got about half done yesterday. It does come off, but it's not easy. After I get the rest done, then I can tell it will take another few hours of sanding to get a nice gloss finish (I tried a quick run through to 2500 grit, but I need to do each section more thoroughly).
So if you plan on doing it, I can see the reward ahead, but I cannot see starting with 1000 grit by hand. I got about an inch and a half strip done in an hour that way, and my shoulders were killing me, lol!
If I had a few extra bucks, I'd just get the top painted....easier and probably look better and be cooler.
So if you plan on doing it, I can see the reward ahead, but I cannot see starting with 1000 grit by hand. I got about an inch and a half strip done in an hour that way, and my shoulders were killing me, lol!
If I had a few extra bucks, I'd just get the top painted....easier and probably look better and be cooler.
I do agree about the hard part. I started off with 600 and soon found that wasn't going to work. went to 320 with a DA and worked up to 1500 with a flex block. I clear coated mine with Dupont and it turn out very good, well worth the effort and I don't have to look at that dull stripe above the passenger window any longer
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,415
Likes: 24,798
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Good luck with the top. Hope you are documenting what you are doing and will post it up with pics.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Just completed mine. Had the Pass peel then the all over crazing.
Sanded with 1000. Sanding block (hand), 1500 Sanding block (hand).
Polished with McGuires 3, then 2 polishing compound. Small 3" circular polisher.
Completed by polishing with jewlers paste and a baking soda paste.
Since it was supposed to rain I did not clearcoat it, I just washed off all remains of polish and baking soda and waxed heavily with McGuires. Buffed, rewaxed and buffed again.
It came out like new. I've washed car three times and it still looks great. Looks clear blue from outside in and inside out again like it did when it was new. If you are going to CC there is a clear paint adhesaion product that should be used according to some. Otheres have just CC'd it and that was that.
Sanded with 1000. Sanding block (hand), 1500 Sanding block (hand).
Polished with McGuires 3, then 2 polishing compound. Small 3" circular polisher.
Completed by polishing with jewlers paste and a baking soda paste.
Since it was supposed to rain I did not clearcoat it, I just washed off all remains of polish and baking soda and waxed heavily with McGuires. Buffed, rewaxed and buffed again.
It came out like new. I've washed car three times and it still looks great. Looks clear blue from outside in and inside out again like it did when it was new. If you are going to CC there is a clear paint adhesaion product that should be used according to some. Otheres have just CC'd it and that was that.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: san diego california
working on pics
Haven't done any pics yet, but I will. I think the key after taking off the finish is taking time with the remaining sanding to get a nice gloss finish. I won't have time to sand until Sunday afternoon, so I'll try some pics then 
. Glad to know it's worked for others. I have no plans to CC, so I think multiple waxes will work fine.
. Glad to know it's worked for others. I have no plans to CC, so I think multiple waxes will work fine.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 6
From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
Haven't done any pics yet, but I will. I think the key after taking off the finish is taking time with the remaining sanding to get a nice gloss finish. I won't have time to sand until Sunday afternoon, so I'll try some pics then . Glad to know it's worked for others. I have no plans to CC, so I think multiple waxes will work fine.
. Glad to know it's worked for others. I have no plans to CC, so I think multiple waxes will work fine. I need to do this so I look forward to your pics and finished product!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 6
From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
Man, I started doing mine with 1500, and since I wasn't going anywhere literaly with the 1500 I went down to 1000. After my arms got tired of sanding after two hours, I stepped it down to 600 grit, and I began to see results. After I had the top coat fully sanded down, I worked my way up to from 600, 800, and 1000. I then re-cleared the top, and if I remember tomorrow, i will post pics of the done top. It looks way betten than it did when it had that 5" strip of shinny stuff gone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 0
From: Perry Hall MD
I had mine done for $300. It came out great, sanding and clear coat
From the inside looking out the top.
Outside picture.
It really looks a lot better in person. If you are going to paint it black or body color, the process would be the same so why not just clear coat.
From the inside looking out the top.
Outside picture.
It really looks a lot better in person. If you are going to paint it black or body color, the process would be the same so why not just clear coat.
