unfortunately my dig camera is MIA so no pics of my car. sorry.
This afternoon I decided to take off the vinyl top because it was bubbling.
I was afraid the bubbles predict to be major rustissues, but man, I was so pleased to see it was only air ;D
After pulling it off my roof is smooth as silk, no rust anywhere, ready for paint !!! Great!
So now I want to know from you guys, who has done this before, what the car needs to look like it came top deleted.
Thanks guys!
I did it to one of mine. You'll need to fill in all the holes (weld) for the vinyl top trim around the sail panel. Make sure the drip rail sealer along the top is good. After removing the vinyl, your drip rail mouldings probably won't fit any more so you either need to figure out how to squish them without messing them up or order new ones. You may have the same issue with the windshield and rear window trim. Make sure the roof is flat and not dented then paint to match.
Troy
The seam filler will have to be replaced as well. The factory used lead, I used Metal 2 Metal based on Drop Tops reccomendation. It came out great!
Whoops! Forgot about that. The one I did it to already had lead in the seam (figure that one out!).
Troy
Cool
I was planning to remove the filler.
And yes the moldings will prolly be too big to fit. :(
Means $
To tighten up the stainless trim. Take a set of duck bill vise grip pliers. Wrap a rag between the pliers and the trim. Then squeeze the trim ever so slightly together. Do this a little at a time and just enough to do the job. I have done this and it cheaper then trying to find good or new ones. The lip that goes over the top of the drip rail is what needs to be squeezed together.
thanks for the tip, Drop Top.
I was thinking to put back small strips of the old vinyl on the rails so it would fit.
ok, not such a good pic but still gives youan idea.
(http://users.pandora.be/christian_mopar/1.jpg)
I like the vinyl better.........
third.
forth
ok, it is looking nicer with the top on but I am just showing how nice the roof looks.
I meant that if I would go topless ( ;) ) I won't need a new roof. Many people tell me to keep it B5 blue with the black top.
If I find another B or E body, the Charger will be painted B5, with top that is.
I just can't miss the sound and driving when it's at the paint shop for months .
Also I love the smooth line where the roof goes over into the quarter. It is interrupted with the vinyl and trim.
Again, I beg to differ.......if anything the vinyl roof accentuates the roof line
I fifth the motion. Keep the vinyl. :thumbs:
:iagree:
You would be suprized how nice it would look if you changed it to a white top and stripe. It makes B-5 blue come alive. I had a Super Bee that came from the factory this way. I have seen Chargers like this also :2thumbs: .
Any advice on welding up the vinyl trim holes? What's the best way to do this? I have a mig welder that I will use and I really don't have that much experience with welding.
I just started a 69 GTO. The owner wants to delete the vinyl top on it. I used a jewelers torch to fill in the holes. To do it with a mig. Clean off all paint and rust from around the hole. Make sure you have a good ground and start filling the hole. After you have the hole filled in. Grind it smooth. Try to make the weld as flat as possable. That way you will have less to grind off.
White stripe and vinyl top would be cool with the B-5 Blue, IMO.
i agree the vinyl roof looks best but I got mine with gloss black paint to match the vinyl lines and think it looks okay for now. I'd guess the trim holes were just filled as there are cracks coming through the paint now.
Quote from: wreckova68 on September 23, 2005, 03:24:00 PM
i agree the vinyl roof looks best but I got mine with gloss black paint to match the vinyl lines and think it looks okay for now. I'd guess the trim holes were just filled as there are cracks coming through the paint now.
Hey, Wreck, what color is your car? Looks like a shade of gold. Is it a factory color? Pretty sharp.
Quote from: Drop Top on September 23, 2005, 07:48:07 AM
I just started a 69 GTO. The owner wants to delete the vinyl top on it. I used a jewelers torch to fill in the holes. To do it with a mig. Clean off all paint and rust from around the hole. Make sure you have a good ground and start filling the hole. After you have the hole filled in. Grind it smooth. Try to make the weld as flat as possable. That way you will have less to grind off.
So basically I would just be tack welding on tack welds till the hole gets filled? Will warping be much of an issue?
It will warp if you get it too hot. Just don't rush it. Let it coolbefore you go to the next hole. Or if you spend too much time on one hole, let it cool before you finish it. Some people use a wet rag or a spray bottle to keep it cool. I don't like to do it this way. It causes the metal to get too brittle.
Okay thanks Drop Top. What about using an airhose for cooling down the metal?
That works.
Thanks Heavy, I don't know what the code is. In fact I was just about to start a thread for anyone to ID the colour code. She was built FF1 light green but I have not been able to match the gold exactly. Don't think it is JJ1 (too light) and have feeling it is not a factory code - am trying to chase history on the car but not much luck to date; person who sold it wasnt the sprayer but I know it was done at least 6 years ago.
So, I know it's hard trying to match off a picture but can anyone tell me from the picture in my above post what code it could be?
light blue metal top now, gonna paint it flat black too for now I think.
I deleted mine only because it doesn't look right with the Daytona Wing. As for replacing the drip rail trim, I have not gotten to that part yet but I do like Drop Top's thoughts there. I was considering using two sided trim adhesive tape on the rail and then snapping it down so I wouldn't have to goof with the trim too much. (tape would fill the gap and help with bond)
I was Lucky with the quarter seam too... took care of it within 2 skim coats. I welded all my trim holes shut and spent hours on them. By the time I was done, I only needed one skim coat to feather them... I believe in working the steel not the body filler!