C-1 (62) soft top repair
07-15-2018, 10:59 PM
#1
Pro
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C-1 (62) soft top repair
Just replaced a soft top on a 62 corvette (Al Knoch) and it went reasonably well. Much better than a top we paid a local shop to do. However there is a small nick in the area where apparently the small stainless end cap screw on the driver’s side came in contact with it when it was folded into the well. It is less than 1/8” but you notice it right away. Has anyone done any repairs in this area? If so, what did you use?
07-16-2018, 02:24 AM
#2
Team Owner
That's why I always grind down the end cap screw and put a white washcloth over it when folding the top down.
There isn't much you can do unfortunately....
I've seen everything tried from iron-on patches to rubberized glue to fix holes in a top - it all looks bad and none of those stopgaps last long stacking and un-stacking the top in its storage well..
There isn't much you can do unfortunately....
I've seen everything tried from iron-on patches to rubberized glue to fix holes in a top - it all looks bad and none of those stopgaps last long stacking and un-stacking the top in its storage well..
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 07-16-2018 at 03:39 AM.
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07-16-2018, 08:30 AM
#4
Drifting
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Can someone post a photo of this end cap and or what should be ground down. Getting a top installed this weekend and don't want this issue.
Thanks,
Butch
Thanks,
Butch
07-16-2018, 08:37 AM
#5
Safety Car
It is the chrome end cap that is on the end of the wire on binding just behind the window. The screw that hold it in is usually the problem. Make sure it goes straight in. When it goes in on an angle, and doesn't seat right in the bezel is when the problem occurs. If you file it down it won't look right, IMO.
07-16-2018, 09:09 AM
#6
Drifting
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Okay, so this is on the outside of the top?
I've seen soft top pillows advertised to protect the plastic rear window. Good, bad, unnecessary?
Also, this is a pretty crappy fit for a top, is it not? Going to black but sure hope it fits better than the old top.
Also, what is the safe about of time to leave a top down and stored? Seems down and stored down more damage than leaving it up?
BH
Last edited by Dreaming60’s; 07-16-2018 at 09:09 AM.
07-16-2018, 09:23 AM
#7
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I use the soft top pillow and it helps, but it mainly keeps the window from creasing. As stated above, ensure the screws sit as flush as possible and file any burrs. Being overly aggressive in tightening the screws to keep this from happening, but can gouge the phillips slot causing a burr that is even worse.
Last edited by Factoid; 07-16-2018 at 09:28 AM.
07-16-2018, 09:31 AM
#8
Safety Car
Okay, so this is on the outside of the top?
I've seen soft top pillows advertised to protect the plastic rear window. Good, bad, unnecessary?
Also, this is a pretty crappy fit for a top, is it not? Going to black but sure hope it fits better than the old top.
Also, what is the safe about of time to leave a top down and stored? Seems down and stored down more damage than leaving it up?
BH
The pillow is a good thing to use. Will help preserve your rear window from scratches. May also help with the problem we are discussing.
I would put the top up every night. Try not to keep it in the bucket for an extended period of time.
Your fit doesn't look too bad. Just the wrinkle on the rear sale. That is probably from an amateur top install.
If you replace it I would recommend a Stayfast top. It is a much nicer top. (unless you are looking for an original style)
JMO
07-16-2018, 09:50 AM
#9
Team Owner
I’ll grind those screw heads down on a minute vs holing a top. They don’t look that bad and nobody ever mentioned it. The pillow is to stop the folded window from rubbing grit into itself. The felt on top of the gas tank must be kept clean for the same reason. The white washcloths on those rear metal spears help too.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 07-16-2018 at 09:52 AM.
07-16-2018, 11:42 AM
#11
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I have the felt cloth in the "bucket" (never knew this is what the well was called) and good idea on keeping it really clean. I'm getting the stayfast top and hopefully it's a good fit. I don't like where the bottom corner (at the guys LH arm [not me]) swoops up to the almost vertical line of the side window opening. But, I believe this top is pretty old and vinyl so maybe it's shrunk some.
Tops been in the well for almost a month and I swear it's tighter now than when I got the car. Very tight fit locking it down yesterday.
BH
Tops been in the well for almost a month and I swear it's tighter now than when I got the car. Very tight fit locking it down yesterday.
BH
Last edited by Dreaming60’s; 07-16-2018 at 11:43 AM.
07-16-2018, 12:32 PM
#12
Team Owner
I call it a storage "well" and when the top is compressed in there its called the "stack" IIRC... The washcloths are added protection....the felt in the well is mostly so the rear window isn't sitting on metal...
The point is that I don't think there is a decent "fix" for a "holed" top - no matter how small....
The point is that I don't think there is a decent "fix" for a "holed" top - no matter how small....
07-16-2018, 01:13 PM
#13
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I talked to many shops.. Being in San Diego, there are many that work on vinyl covers for boats.. including repairs.
The only "remedy" offered was to patch it, which requires removal from the car, repair, and re-install. And there would be new stitching visible.
As we all know, the labor to install these tops costs more then the tops themselves... so this makes no sense at all for our application.
The only "remedy" offered was to patch it, which requires removal from the car, repair, and re-install. And there would be new stitching visible.
As we all know, the labor to install these tops costs more then the tops themselves... so this makes no sense at all for our application.
07-16-2018, 05:57 PM
#14
I've always used small squares of leather wrapped around the bullets as the top is lowered.
At least some of the pillows are too thick and make folding the top and comfortably closing the lid difficult. A folded towel works better in my experience. Last, creases in the top can be reduced by pushing the material outward from the bows as the top is lowered, rather than between them and inward. This is a pita and takes time, but it does help.
At least some of the pillows are too thick and make folding the top and comfortably closing the lid difficult. A folded towel works better in my experience. Last, creases in the top can be reduced by pushing the material outward from the bows as the top is lowered, rather than between them and inward. This is a pita and takes time, but it does help.