HTC Gouges Up Your Paint!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,255
Likes: 2,503
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 581
Likes: 574
Why did you title your post "HTC GOUGES UP YOUR PAINT!" When you not only haven't had this problem but you also may not even own a C8?
just trying to stir thing up?
My 2021 HTC top goes up and down everytime I drive it and never a problem and no need to stop it midway and 'inspect' it or anything else.
just trying to stir thing up?
My 2021 HTC top goes up and down everytime I drive it and never a problem and no need to stop it midway and 'inspect' it or anything else.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 4,800
From: West Burbs of Chicago IL
it is pretty common mechanical sense that if something gets loose on the top mechanism or hinges get loose the panels are going to grind together and damage the factory paint job.. I was simply trying to find out if anyone has examined the mechanism as a preventive measure before it does happen. It is a fairly complex piece of machinery. An analogy would be on aircraft you annually check the retractable landing gear - you put the aircraft on stands and observe the landing gear swinging and tighten and adjust and as necessary.
You might as well start another thread, “If brakes fail, you could die in fiery crash!” or “If steering system malfunctions, you could drive off a cliff!”. A bit dramatic, but they are all possible “in theory” if something “loosens up”.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,710
Likes: 10,140
From: Garden Valley CA
Personally, I'd be more concerned with performing multiple start and stop cycles while closing the top than I would be concerned about closing the top normally and dealing with any occasional problems that occurred during the closing cycle. But I've never had a problem with my top closing correctly.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,255
Likes: 2,503
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Personally, I'd be more concerned with performing multiple start and stop cycles while closing the top than I would be concerned about closing the top normally and dealing with any occasional problems that occurred during the closing cycle. But I've never had a problem with my top closing correctly.
I’m not suggesting you start and stop it, every use. But occasionally every few months I’d do that and watch it as it operates. You might detect a problem in the making. But hey do as you wish, one thing I know if something is out of wack the mechanism doesn’t stop.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 761
From: Tampa Bay, FL
You check airplane landing gear (and many other items on aircraft) because if something goes wrong you and others can die a horrible fiery death because of it. If an HTC gets out of alignment you might get a scratch on your paint. Or wet, I suppose. Not really the same stakes. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,521
Pro
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 622
Likes: 366
Interesting comments to the OP post a take away
reviewing this thread. I am going to lubricate the roof pins annually same DIY service performed on my previous coupe tops. Everything mechanical does need maintenance my opinion.
reviewing this thread. I am going to lubricate the roof pins annually same DIY service performed on my previous coupe tops. Everything mechanical does need maintenance my opinion.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,521
Everything in this thread except your post is about the HTC. What does the targa top have to do with anything?