Ok to try and make it short I'm sure you all have opened the "can o' worms" at one time or another whilst working on your cars.....
Well I opened up another can again.....always seem to have an endless supply with this car...
Innocently enough, since I havent really purchased or done anything to the car in a few years, I figured I'd buy a new replacement rear window to replace the DA sander scratched original one in the car & correct my "high chrome molding" issue I had back there because I thought the wrong size butyl tape was used....WRONG! :rotz:
Upon removing the trim I remembered that when I had the car painted, 11 years ago, the rear glass was already installed with "new" clips. Turns out the wrong clips were installed & I had to use a dremel to cut them down...didnt think anything of it back then...also when the new vinyl top was put on, since the rear glass was installed already, the top shop cut the top around the already installed clips.
Now taking the trim off to cut the glass out I discovered it was the incorrect clips causing my trim problem (major problem was the fact that the "check mark" pieces were bending up & cracking because the surround moldings were hitting it)and not the butyl tape.
Doing a test fit of the new clips revealed that yes now the molding sits in the rear channel as it should but the body is now exposed because the old top was cut around the larger clips.... ::) See below for a clip comparo...the correct ones on the right
To make a short story even shorter, a new Legendary top was ordered today (having a sale & free shipping as well...$114 to my door) takes 2 weeks for them to make....for what ever reason they dont stock these.. :shruggy:
I'm taking the car to a top shop local to me to have them replace the top & remove & reseal my leaking like a sieve front windshield...effectively killing 5 birds with one stone. Now I have to dig in & take off ALL the chrome trim now...
1---10+ years ago the repro tops didnt have the correct "fold" on the A pilliars
2--- Repair leaking front windshield
3--- Install new piece of rear glass
4--- Cure the vinyl top fitting problem I had
5--- reglue the vinyl that was coming undone on the sail panel area
Wish me luck!! :grouphug:
Good luck... I will be watching with interest. :popcrn:
Dan
Good luck with the mini project. I am sure you will be happy to get these issues fixed in particular the leaking front windshield!
Would you mind taking a few pics of the clip placement along the bottom and post as I had to make 3 patches for my sail panels and dutch panel which was rusted out and am not exactly sure where the clips should be placed and at what depth. If it is not too much problem would you be able to run a tape measure beside them from say the seam where the dutch panel meets the sail panel?
If this is too much of a pain do not worry about it as I will get it figured but this may make things a tad better than just a mystery guess.
Where did you get the clips?
I also notice on the lip around my car it appears that some type of heavy staple was used to cinch down my vinyl top. Is this normal? Should I just leave these in and glue my new top in?
Sorry to hijack your post, it just seemed like a good time to ask these questions. I am quite new and if this is out of line feeel free to let me know.
Cheers,
James
good luck with this project !! & fix those other mini problems :yesnod: , yeah the fold in the vinyl on the A pillars , i have changed my top 3 times , still forgot to do the folds :icon_smile_blackeye:
looking forward to seeing any pictures :popcrn:
Holy Crap Chris! Good luck with that. I had my windshield out trying to fix the leaking windshield problem only to pay for the job and have it still leak. Windshield place would not guarantee their work since it was not a new windshield they installed. Also, careful on the removal of the windshield. When I had mine done, they said when removing the old windshield, it could cause it to crack. :o And that they were not responsible.
Holy Vinyl Top replacement Batman!!!! :coolgleamA: Chris your a better man than me just reading your plans got me tired. :brickwall: Do take a picture when the top is off so we can see the flag :lol: I had a top problem too, see picture below :nana:
Wow! :o I know you'll be holding your breath until this is complete, and upon inspection, everything is still in one piece and no new scratches appear due to careless technicians, etc..... I've got my fingers crossed for you. I now am experiencing anxiety myself after reading this praying someone doesn't screw up something else. Hope they are reputable and accountable!!!
:popcrn:
v/r
Mike
Good luck Chris :cheers:
Thanks for the words of encouragement all :cheers:
The shop seems to cater to the old stuff (he had a 69 Chevelle in there at the time and he told me he did a 68 last year or so) It is a small 1 bay shop that has loads of old school trim samples etc...he assured me he'd be gentle ;)
Anyhoo...took the front trim off with no trouble. no surprises. All nice solid metal & no rust. All the clips are good & I found out why my windshield leaks....it was bone dry in the gasket! I guess that's how it was done from the factory but with the replacement glass being thinner there was a larger void than usual & the water would seep in between the glass & the gasket....
Hopefully this was a blessing as it seems like it will make the glass easier to come out...
last pieces of trim to come off are the upper quarter trim....which is a major PITA....rear seat has to come out & always run the risk of scratches trying to finesse it out of the driprail....wish me luck on that one!!
Quote from: mopar_nut_440_6 on March 31, 2009, 05:08:46 PM
Good luck with the mini project. I am sure you will be happy to get these issues fixed in particular the leaking front windshield!
Would you mind taking a few pics of the clip placement along the bottom and post as I had to make 3 patches for my sail panels and dutch panel which was rusted out and am not exactly sure where the clips should be placed and at what depth. If it is not too much problem would you be able to run a tape measure beside them from say the seam where the dutch panel meets the sail panel?
If this is too much of a pain do not worry about it as I will get it figured but this may make things a tad better than just a mystery guess.
Where did you get the clips?
I also notice on the lip around my car it appears that some type of heavy staple was used to cinch down my vinyl top. Is this normal? Should I just leave these in and glue my new top in?
Sorry to hijack your post, it just seemed like a good time to ask these questions. I am quite new and if this is out of line feeel free to let me know.
Cheers,
James
James, unfortunately since my clips were wrong, they were also placed in the wrong positions as well....yes I do have 3 clips down each side but they are not even. Also I believe there are supposed to be 6 clips across the top & bottom...I only have 5.
I will tell them to totally cover up all the holes there now & I wil drill new ones.
I got the clip set including wax tipped screws from eBay for less than $15
Shakey's thread might be able to answer James' questions as well.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,23879.0.html
Chris, I got a good NY inspection sticker until October if you need it. :lol:
The suckiest (if there is such a word) part is peeling the headliner back to remove the sail panel emblems. :icon_smile_blackeye:
Quote from: 1hot68 on March 31, 2009, 07:28:24 PM
The suckiest (if there is such a word) part is peeling the headliner back to remove the sail panel emblems. :icon_smile_blackeye:
Ahh yes to a mere mortal that actually used the clips to secure them from behind....I used strip caulk...been on there 10+ years....till about an hour ago ;)
PS---Mike good till July on the sticker....gonna strech it till August this year ;)
Quote from: tan top on March 31, 2009, 05:17:12 PM
good luck with this project !! & fix those other mini problems :yesnod: , yeah the fold in the vinyl on the A pillars , i have changed my top 3 times , still forgot to do the folds :icon_smile_blackeye:
looking forward to seeing any pictures :popcrn:
Hey Steve, arent the folds built into the vinyl now?
Chris, Are you going to replace the front windshield with the correct thickness one? I got the Plinkington (?) one which I believe is not to thin and doesnt leak at all. Ron
Quote from: mikepmcs on March 31, 2009, 07:10:31 PM
Shakey's thread might be able to answer James' questions as well.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,23879.0.html
Chris, I got a good NY inspection sticker until October if you need it. :lol:
I was looking at that thread but it appeared that the rear window clips he had listed were the same as teh ones that were said to be incorrect in this thread. I will double check. Maybe I am mistaken.
Regardless I will order a kit off of Ebay and fit everrything prior to paint to ensure a correct fit.
Thanks guys!
I got a big question for you chris - can you tell us the correct size of butyl tape ? I just want to be sure before I order mine - I don't want to have a gap between the window trim and the glass... How wide and how thick if you would.... (Keep it clean guys!)
Quote from: NOT Just 6T9 CHGR on March 31, 2009, 07:37:14 PM
Quote from: tan top on March 31, 2009, 05:17:12 PM
good luck with this project !! & fix those other mini problems :yesnod: , yeah the fold in the vinyl on the A pillars , i have changed my top 3 times , still forgot to do the folds :icon_smile_blackeye:
looking forward to seeing any pictures :popcrn:
Hey Steve, arent the folds built into the vinyl now?
they might be now Chris :scratchchin: but my last top was from yearone , 2001 :scratchchin: 02which was made by a company call KEETOPS , never had the folds :shruggy: , real nice product though :yesnod: :popcrn:
Good luck with this Chris.
Post as many photos as you can. :yesnod:
Also:
QuoteAlso I believe there are supposed to be 6 clips across the top & bottom...I only have 5.
According to my research there are only 5 used on the bottom piece of trim. Here is a good opportunity for someone to double check my work. ;)
Quote from: mopar_nut_440_6 on March 31, 2009, 10:29:13 PM
Quote from: mikepmcs on March 31, 2009, 07:10:31 PM
Shakey's thread might be able to answer James' questions as well.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,23879.0.html
Chris, I got a good NY inspection sticker until October if you need it. :lol:
I was looking at that thread but it appeared that the rear window clips he had listed were the same as teh ones that were said to be incorrect in this thread. I will double check. Maybe I am mistaken.
Regardless I will order a kit off of Ebay and fit everrything prior to paint to ensure a correct fit.
Thanks guys!
Comparing the two threads, the text and photos in the SS Thread and the photo and explanation in this thread, it looks to me like everything matches up.
The clips needed for the back glass are # 6002 263.
I wish you all the luck in the world, Chris! :2thumbs:
My phone always on. :popcrn:
In case anyone else is wondering, I did a thread also about front & rear glass installation on my '69. And a vinyl top install.
Glass:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,43619.0.html
Top:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,30095.0.html
Lots of good reference pictures there for ya's.
Quote from: Shakey on April 01, 2009, 06:17:58 AM
Quote from: mopar_nut_440_6 on March 31, 2009, 10:29:13 PM
Quote from: mikepmcs on March 31, 2009, 07:10:31 PM
Shakey's thread might be able to answer James' questions as well.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,23879.0.html
Chris, I got a good NY inspection sticker until October if you need it. :lol:
I was looking at that thread but it appeared that the rear window clips he had listed were the same as teh ones that were said to be incorrect in this thread. I will double check. Maybe I am mistaken.
Regardless I will order a kit off of Ebay and fit everrything prior to paint to ensure a correct fit.
Thanks guys!
Comparing the two threads, the text and photos in the SS Thread and the photo and explanation in this thread, it looks to me like everything matches up.
The clips needed for the back glass are # 6002 263.
Thanks, I double checked as well last night and found it was my mistake! That is a great post!
Quote from: Rolling_Thunder on April 01, 2009, 01:54:34 AM
I got a big question for you chris - can you tell us the correct size of butyl tape ? I just want to be sure before I order mine - I don't want to have a gap between the window trim and the glass... How wide and how thick if you would.... (Keep it clean guys!)
Alex, I am going to be going with the urethane/foam dam method as did Bill for my rear glass this time around....also funny thing is that the service manual uses a foam barrier/adhesive method as well....makes no reference to butyl tape :scratchchin:
These are the clips I got off eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=190282079844
PS---Bill you are already on speed dial when i get the car back to put the rear glass in :cheers:
Quote from: y3chargerrt on March 31, 2009, 08:22:38 PM
Chris, Are you going to replace the front windshield with the correct thickness one? I got the Plinkington (?) one which I believe is not to thin and doesnt leak at all. Ron
Damn you guys really want me to spend my $$ huh? I already got the half evil eye when I told the wife (very nonchalantly I might add) what I was doing :rotz:
The PPG one I have now will do just fine (unless you just jinxed me & the glass breaks when I take it out)...Ill just make sure they pump some urethane between the glass & rubber this time
I just installed the vinyl top on the Superbird that I am restoring. They really aren't that bad to do. Just take your time and it will turn out nice. Keep a heatgun handy for those tough spots. Just make sure you do not get it too hot or it will leave a shiney spot.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/70%20Bird/DWBird1617.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/70%20Bird/DWBird1619.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/70%20Bird/DWBird1621.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/70%20Bird/DWBird1620.jpg)
Man does that look loverly!!! I just aint got the baullz to do it myself :rotz:
I've found out twice over the years that glass shops do not use the adhesive to seal the front winshield gasket. I put it on the metal window frame of the car and on the other side in the channel that holds the glass. Never a leak.
Some photos posted here:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,55510.msg617426.html#top (http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,55510.msg617426.html#top)
just went through all my old clips from the front windshield , the only different ones were along the bottom :scratchchin: , like i say front windshield had never been out , previously :scratchchin: :shruggy:
Small update...all my trim is off now including the PITA quarter moldings.....
Took out the rear package tray & remembered how nice it was/is back there (no rust or rot) Even still some shiny R6 red (original color)
Its a real drastic difference over the orange I have on the exterior.
Wow, that is a nice package tray! No rust og butyl crap in sight, didn't you rear window leak aswell?
Quote from: Hemidog on April 02, 2009, 04:23:08 PM
Wow, that is a nice package tray! No rust og butyl crap in sight, didn't you rear window leak aswell?
Nope....More than likely after I make an attempt to install the new glass it will :rotz:
Here is that pic Chris...
Thanks Paul :cheers:
Quote from: CornDogsCharger on April 01, 2009, 08:59:19 PM
I just installed the vinyl top on the Superbird that I am restoring. They really aren't that bad to do. Just take your time and it will turn out nice. Keep a heatgun handy for those tough spots. Just make sure you do not get it too hot or it will leave a shiney spot.
Justin
"CornDog"
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/70%20Bird/DWBird1617.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/70%20Bird/DWBird1619.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/70%20Bird/DWBird1621.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/CornDog05/70%20Bird/DWBird1620.jpg)
I really like that rattlecan 3m vinyal top glue. I might put my top back on my bird. is there a difference in quality from different vendors?? what do you suggest? superbird is looking great, and wow what a huge shop. Thanks SBT
For what its worth I got my top directly from Legendary and they were/are running a sale 5-10% off and free shipping April 6-10.
Got my top for $114 shipped to my door....they had to charge me tax since I live in NY as well
http://www.legendaryautointeriors.com/
Quote from: NOT Just 6T9 CHGR on April 03, 2009, 03:33:52 PM
For what its worth I got my top directly from Legendary and they were/are running a sale 5-10% off and free shipping April 6-10.
Got my top for $114 shipped to my door....they had to charge me tax since I live in NY as well
http://www.legendaryautointeriors.com/
Does legendary supply Year One? I have one form Year One!
as far as I know yes they do
Hey Chris since you clearly ignored my last jab at ya :slap: here's a nudder: :popcrn: Perfect time to get some R6 back on that car!!!!!! :smilielol:
Quote from: RJS on April 03, 2009, 05:26:34 PM
Hey Chris since you clearly ignored my last jab at ya :slap: here's a nudder: :popcrn: Perfect time to get some R6 back on that car!!!!!! :smilielol:
I am most definitely going to ignore that one!! :slap: :nutkick:
..........And the Chant begins........R6 ...R6..R6..R6..R6.......and so on. :coolgleamA:
Cmon Chris, we all know that red cars have more fun! :pity: :yesnod:
Yep, his car cant do this :rofl: :cheers:
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3934/s5030190w.jpg)
Quote from: FLG on April 03, 2009, 10:43:19 PM
Yep, his car cant do this :rofl: :cheers:
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3934/s5030190w.jpg)
Damn, I guess the wife was right. I do have some gray hair on the top of my head. Never really saw my head at that angle before. :lol: Oh, btw, new flavors for this year.....Birthday cake and lemon lime! :2thumbs: :coolgleamA:
See Chris something good has come from all your hard work, we all just found out that Brian will still be making sno cones this year!!!!!! Maybe R6 should be the next new flavor :2thumbs:
Just this year? Its been with me every year since I've bought the thing. I just keep adding more and more flavors. I think I'm going to have to change my screen name to Baskin Robins with all the flavors I have. :smilielol:
Small update...
Got the new vinyl top from Legendary...this time with the correct seams on the A-pillars. real nice piece
still waiting on the shop to take me in...hopefully on Weds or Thurs this week....
I hate relying on others!! :rotz:
We're still here. :wave: Fingers still crossed that it gets done with zero issues and no surprises left by the installer(screwdriver marks, dings, scratches, etc...). :2thumbs:
Quote from: resq302 on April 04, 2009, 12:28:21 AM
Quote from: FLG on April 03, 2009, 10:43:19 PM
Yep, his car cant do this :rofl: :cheers:
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3934/s5030190w.jpg)
Damn, I guess the wife was right. I do have some gray hair on the top of my head. Never really saw my head at that angle before. :lol: Oh, btw, new flavors for this year.....Birthday cake and lemon lime! :2thumbs: :coolgleamA:
Is this at Carlisle? :shruggy:
Quote from: mikepmcs on April 20, 2009, 04:15:53 PM
We're still here. :wave: Fingers still crossed that it gets done with zero issues and no surprises left by the installer(screwdriver marks, dings, scratches, etc...). :2thumbs:
Sweet jeebus man....those things hadn't crossed my mind until now :eek:
I guess I've never had good luck with work I sublet out. When I did my then fiance's interior on her 68 Firebird, did the whole thing myself and sent the sunvisors to a professional. They must have been letting their 2 year old son start in on the family business that day, the worst I ever could have imagined. My brand new 02 Dodge CTD dually with less than 100 miles on it, wanted some beefier stereo equipment in it, so I took it to a professional to install my gear so I wouldn't scratch it up trying to get panels off and the dash bezel. Looked like a hail storm on the inside of my door from the screwdriver marks left by the professional doing the work as well as the cluster plastic scratched to hell. One of my lights in the house didn't work when I first moved here 13 years ago on a 3 way switch, called in a professional MASTER electrician, there ended up being a hole in the wall that I had to fix with drywall and the light still didn't work. Had a buddy(mechanic that owns a PERFORMANCE garage) do my cam install a little over a year ago(this is on my 69 by the way) as a trade for a plow and I was laid up at the time, swears it would only go 2 degrees advanced instead of the 4 Ron instructed. Car started smoking shortly after the install.(just in case anyone is interested as to why I have no interest right now in my car and am not in any hurry to get it back together only to face the next issue of the smoking engine, yes it's blue smoke) Shall I go on.... my point being is nobody cares about your stuff like you do and your idea of acceptable and others is 2 totally different things. So now I just do everything myself when I get the motivation.
Please convey to them your concerns and hopefully they will work your baby with patience and kid gloves. Be sure to go over it with a fine tooth comb before you go and take closeup pictures of your surrounding metal/paint. That way if they do screw something up, you have proof.
Sorry if this is a total downer, but at least you are more aware than ever now and thinking about it. My job is done here. Don't get an ulcer over it, I already have one.
Sorry for the worries brother and hope you have better luck than I ever have. I'll only post positive thoughts from here on out. :cheers:
Quote from: 69bronzeT5 on April 20, 2009, 07:05:16 PM
Quote from: resq302 on April 04, 2009, 12:28:21 AM
Quote from: FLG on April 03, 2009, 10:43:19 PM
Yep, his car cant do this :rofl: :cheers:
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3934/s5030190w.jpg)
Damn, I guess the wife was right. I do have some gray hair on the top of my head. Never really saw my head at that angle before. :lol: Oh, btw, new flavors for this year.....Birthday cake and lemon lime! :2thumbs: :coolgleamA:
Is this at Carlisle? :shruggy:
No, since I haven't been to Carlisle in about 4 years. This was an Englishtown tradition since I got the icee maker. However, I will have to see how much room we have in the trunk of the chally since it seems like my charger will be in the retro dealer display this year. :2thumbs: Worse comes to worse, I may need some help moving the icee maker and items from the chally section to the dc.com tent.
Chris, let me know if you REALLY get in a bind with your top guy. I've got some big buckets to bail you out if necessary.
I'll have to place an early order this year for snow cones!!
Thanks Bill but.....
UPDATE!!! Car is in the shop...after a most stressful 15 min ride that seemed like forever (road I had to take has been undergoing a 1+ year water main project from hell)
while I was waiting for my wife to pick me up they went to town & ripped off the top in a matter of minutes ( I brought it there stripped of all trim. rear glass etc) and the good news is that the body stayed on the car & didnt peel off with the top ;)
They were cleaning off the glue & waititn for the windshield guy to come to remove the windshield....hopefully when they put it back in they'll use some urethane so it wont leak this time!~
Will be ready after 4pm tomorrow....stay tuned :pushup:
Woo-HOO!! :woohoo: :boogie:
This calls for one of Brian's specialty snow cone celebrations! Quick, get that ice machine over to Staten Island!! :drool5:
:shruggy:
1hot68,
See my encriminating pic of the snow cones above from last year at Englishtown.
Quote from: resq302 on May 01, 2009, 07:27:12 AM
1hot68,
See my encriminating pic of the snow cones above from last year at Englishtown.
That doesn't tell me why we don't have any pics of Chris's new top on his Charger though.
True it doesnt....here it is though....with issues which Ill discuss at a later date
Looks like it's coming along great Chris!!!!! :2thumbs:
issues? uh oh, that doesn't sound good. :pity:
Quote from: resq302 on May 02, 2009, 02:13:51 AM
issues? uh oh, that doesn't sound good. :pity:
:o
issues :errr: don't sound good :popcrn:
Well......
The top itself came out OK I guess....I had to trim some spots to my liking and I have to put some more glue down on some of the edges etc. There are a few spots that arent glued down the best on the drivers side inner roof sail panel.....hopefully the sun (or my heat gun) will smooth them out.
The real "issue" was the rest of my car.
The top shop is in a heavy commercial area and is a small shop. I went to pick up the car on a Friday afternoon after work (after them telling me that my windshield gasket was no good & now I have to drive the car home with no front or rear glass!)
The car is sitting outside in the bright sun, COVERED in dust/dirt from the truck traffic on the street in front of the shop. I walk up to the car & notice one of the remaining pieces of glass in the car (vent window) is all clouded up with a film of some sort. First thing I ask is WTF is this? "Oh we got some glue on the window and we got it off with Aftalene" I was like OK a little glass cleaner wouldnt hurt....I didnt bring you the car this way.
Walking aroud the car, checking the top mostly, I had them trim a few more spots, fix one of the clips etc & donned my glasses for the fun ride home.
Get in the car & find all little glue balls from the old glue all over the carpet & the interior covered in dust :icon_smile_angry:
Finally get the car home & break out my duster. Dust off the car & put her back in the garage......get out of the car & almost threw up!
Under the fluorescent lights revealed that they got more glue on the car other than the front vent window...... the tops of both quarters were scratched up into a dull haze along with a few spots on the trunk.......the trunk was covered in glue splatters, both my inner upper door pads had glue on it, the inside of my vent window chrome had glue on it & even my satin finish dash top had glue on it!!!!
Obviously they didnt cover the car, got glue on it & tried to rub it off with their Aftalene when the car was full of dust scratching the SHIT out of the paint :icon_smile_angry: When I asked how they sprayed the glue without masking off the paint he said "see I just get a helper to hold this piece of cardboard up to the paint while I spray" I said you're fuckin' kidding right? "Nah been doing it that way for 20+ years....usiing tape will take the paint off the car....." again I say you're fuickin' kidding right?!!?!!!!
Of course the shop closed for the night & I had to have this anger boil in me for the whole night. To make a long story shorter I did get $50 back for supplies to correct my paint ( I didnt want this guy touching my car again)
Was able to get the glue off the car & dash with an adhesive remover made by 3M. Using the light swirl remover pad & polish I had I was able to get 90% of the scratches out....I ordered up a heavier pad & compound that will take care of the rest.
Monday the glass co is coming by to install both the front & rear glass.....hope to be back on the road soon!
Small sample pic of scratches & glue spots that they didnt get off ::)
Chris,
What pad, compound, are you going to be using? Dedicated polisher with speed control I assume??
Did you do any light wet sanding prior(after you got the glue off) just curious. That last 10% of the scratches might need a little cut and buff. Wish you were close, I'd do it for you.
Sorry for your troubles, but you will prevail. Try to have a good day.
One thing is for sure, you can relish in the fact that you have one of the most beautiful Chargers in the world.
I'll use this time to ask if you wouldn't mind sending me a nice hi res copy to my email so I can send it to 6pk for a poster.
Thanks for the consideration.
Hang in there brother. :cheers:
v/r
Mike
Sorry to hear about this Chris. Hopefully everything works out.
These horror stories are exactly why I try to do everything myself. I just don't trust people as i seem to attract this type of situation!
Almost as maddening Chris, is that the weiner smoker who did it was likely complaining to his cardboard apprentice later on about what an anal jerk the guy with the old orange car was. Sorry to hear it happened man, I hope it comes back good as new for you.
Holy shnikeys! :pity: :brickwall: I would have flipped out on them. It would have cost them a lot more than $50 to give back to me. More like bringing the car to a detailing spa at their expense to get it done right.
This is the whole reason why I am like you in wanting to do the stuff myself as it seems like more and more shops are incompetant with their work or respect for anyone elses property.
Quote from: resq302 on May 02, 2009, 09:21:11 AM
Holy shnikeys! :pity: :brickwall: I would have flipped out on them. It would have cost them a lot more than $50 to give back to me. More like bringing the car to a detailing spa at their expense to get it done right.
This is the whole reason why I am like you in wanting to do the stuff myself as it seems like more and more shops are incompetant with their work or respect for anyone elses property.
Just remember (and I know its sometimes hard to) that there are people who do care enough to take pride in their work and do a quality job without issue! Id like to think that I'm one of that group....although I do think its a small group compared to the hacks!......That wole car should have been covered with plastic and then blankets to prevent any of this horror, but I gues twice as much time in clean up and handing some of the pay back somehow seems better to them. :P
Idiots :rotz:
:flame: :flame: Incompetent cheap idiots.
danm :RantExplode: don't they know to mask a car up before doing the top , should be no different than masking to paint a roof , :rotz: sorry to hear about this ..Chris
Thanks all....really the whole situation sucks. Sadly I didnt feel confident enough to tackle the job myself & I was at the shops mercy on this one. Sadly there arent too many shops that do this work anymore here and he has been in business since '84 & has done other classics. Even though I diod get offers from close friends (thanks Bill) to help out, I was stubborn & didnt want to impose on anyone.
Funny thing I was the only one to complain according to him. Mind you he said this while he was ripping a faux carriage top off an 87 Caddy Coup that was so clapped out I wondered why a new top was going on that POS any way......my parting words to him were to keep working on POS's like you have here now & leave the nice stuff to the professionals. he was stunned at those words & didnt know what else to say. That itself plus the fact that I will put the kaibash on future work for him is payment enough....PRICELESS!
Mike, I am going to try some of Adam's Polishes Swirl & Haze Remover with one of their orange pads....I got my order on Friday but they goofed & instead of the SAH they put Vinyl & Tire dressing in the box. Called them up & they are UPSing the right stuff & Ill have it Tuesday...this Vinyl stuff is a gift ;) Top notch customer service IMHO
I have a PC7424 polisher (actually a Meguires G110 which is made by Porter cable & reboxed)and used a Meguires yellow polishing pad with their #205 Ultra Finishing Polish. This stuff wasnt agressive enough...Ill use the Adam's stuff & follow with this.
PS---I'd be honored to be a poster child for ya Mike! ;) Ill send a few later tonight :cheers:
Chris,
REALLY sorry to see pics like that. Complete horror show. This all could have been avoided with $5.00 worth of plastic sheeting & masking tape.
Please keep me posted on the polishing. You are ALWAYS welcome to bring it by to bill440rt's detailing ( :D ) if you're having trouble. You've been to my place, my garage is lit up like a hospital room with all the fluorescent lights I have in there. We can make that paint look nicey-nice again, no prob. NO imposition, AT ALL!! :cheers: I'd be more than happy to give ya some help.
Thanks Bill! My current stress for the day is the installation of my windshield & rear glass.....made appointment with glass guy to be here tearly this morning.....it is now 2:08 & still no show.....like being at the Dr.'s office.... :rotz:
:popcrn:
Damn Chris. Sounds like one of my projects that I do one our cars. (Note to Troy - need an smile face for opening a can of worms) :lol: :RedXShoot:
:puke: Sorry to hear about this Chris. How some guys stay in business is amazing. Hope everythings works out for you.
It reminds me of when I had a glass shop come out to install my Charger's windshield. I didn't feel comfortable doing it so I wanted a "pro". Luckily I was there because he spent the first ten minutes trying to put the windshield in with the gasket backwards. :rotz:
Update.....still no show....called off till "he promises" 8:30 tomorrow AM
Stay tuned :(
I suppose thats better than showing up and doing a crappy job because he's rushed to get to whoever else he "promised" to get to at that time?
Well after waiting 2 days for the glass guys to come out I'm still not getting it done....yet.
Guy came & checked out the car (he was the one that took out the glass at the vinyl top shop) and after not getting into too much detail about how they F'd up my car's paint he said the garage was too tight for him to feel comfortable to work in. I need to wait for a clear day to bring it out of the garage for them to work on it outside....stumped again!
Good news is that while it will be raining most of the week, tomorrow there will be a break in the rain & Im only working till noon tomorrow....they will pencil me in for noon tomorrow...we'll see.
Funny thing is that his boss called me back after he left saying that his guy told him I wanted to take him outside & rough him up for touching my car! It was a joke of course....I did tell him how the other shop scratched up my paint and as I was telling him this he proceeded to run his adhesive stained paws over the same spot where the other shop did! I told him "ya see....that's how the other shop screwed up my paint" He then put his hands in his pocket ;)
My wife tells me that I scare people away & thats why they are hesitant to work on my car.....I dont think Im THAT bad am I? :scratchchin:
Ummmmm, NO!!!
There is no way you are in the wrong about it. My buddy had an incident one night at our shop when his girlfriend traced out her name in the dew that had settled on the car. She thought he was being stupid until he asked her if she had the money for a repaint. People just don't get it and thats why the classic car specialty shops charge more for similar work, they hire people who understand and care about what they are doing (or at least they should)
Wow, Chris . I can't believe the idiots that they have working on cars anymore. :pity: I'd be pissed too. I only have 2 guys anymore that I will let touch any of our cars. Good luck with it. I love your Charger. I hope everything turns out better. :cheers:
Quote from: NOT Just 6T9 CHGR on May 05, 2009, 11:37:34 AM
I dont think Im THAT bad am I? :scratchchin:
nope - Chris you have a beautiful car and are upset it was treated so poorly... you're not that bad - if it were me the shop owners hospital bills would already be more than the cost of your top. :pity:
Quote from: NOT Just 6T9 CHGR on May 05, 2009, 11:37:34 AM
I dont think Im THAT bad am I? :scratchchin:
You are handling this MUCH better that I ever would have! :yesnod:
Man Chris this sounds like a page out of my life!!! There's really no one on this Island that has a clue!!! Your car is too nice for the average man... :brickwall:
Chris if you need a good guy for the glass i might have someone. No they wont wreck your car.
Quote from: FLG on May 08, 2009, 09:19:58 PM
Chris if you need a good guy for the glass i might have someone. No they wont wreck your car.
Damn where were you a few days ago? :rotz:
Got both glasses installed by who I thought were "professionals" After waiting 3 days for them to show up (while I waited I did call up 5 other glass places on the Island....3 wouldnt touch the car, 1 wouldnt come to the house & the other wanted to charge me $350!)
On the third day they finally showed up 5:30 pm....an installer & his older brother who he was training. Both looked like deer in the headlights & had no clue....good thing I had my service manual....still took them 3 hours to install the front windshield. New gasket (which I didnt need) was really tight & to me still doesnt look like it is sitting right on the drivers side lower corner.
Oh yeah I got a new "present" from the glass guys this time...a nice 6-8" scratch on my cowl that will require wet sanding to get out (Thanks Tito & Angel!)
My PPG glass is a bit thinner than the repro gaskets so I asked them to put a bead of urethane around the outer gasket surface before they locked it in to try and prevent the same leak I had on the old gasket/windshield combo. It would leak around the glass into the car.
did a little water test the other day....guess what? it still leaks!!! yay!! Although no major puddling like the old one but you can see fog/wetness building up inside the gasket. I dont think the window cleaner they were using as lubricant fully dried before they shot in the urethane.....gonna unlock the gasket again, clean it out & try and add my own bead in there.....later.
Finally they came back the next day (4 days now) to put in the rear glass using urethane & the foam dam. Primed the pinchweld & glass & put the foam dam on, put a bead of urethane & laid in the glass....with problems of course.
For what ever reason (maybe because the glass was a repro) it really didnt seem to fit right. it seems that no matter how hard they tried it seemed to not lay flat on the foam all the way around.....either that or my pinchweld isnt square but whatever.
The glass is in, I have some urethane to clean off & hopefully the trim fits on (the top most side clips seemed to be level with the glass now where all the rest stick up past the glass a bit. hopefully i'll be able to grab them all.
Moral of the story....it sucks to rely on others who you think "should" be able to do a better job than you since they are "pros"
Rant off....PS---I am NEVER taking this car apart again....I will sell it first.
Good night.
Thats quite the ordeal you (and your car) went through. :rotz: I understand why you chose not to do the viny replacement yourself, but the outcome probably would have been better had you gave it a shot.
I cringe at the thought of even taking my Charger in for the yearly required State Inspection, and Imission Testing even though the guys I go to are very careful with it.
Good luck from here on out.
Well i figured things would work out for ya, guess not :rotz:
If you want to ever get the front fixed just give me a hollar and ill make some calls.
Thanks...im gonna attempt a little fix myself first.
hey I know....just dont take it out in the rain or wash it! ;)
Im in the same boat with you Chris. My charger still has the same water leak that yours does so unless I get caught in a rainstorm, the charger for the most part doesn't get wet. As for washing, my car is never ever that dirty so I don't have to worry about that unless somehow I manage to take it off roading, Dukes style.
Good luck with getting the scratch out. I feel your pain brother! :pity:
What I do because mine leaks as well, instead of washing it, I go and wreck mine and repaint it. Seems to work for me thus far. :eek2:
Sorry for your troubles Chris, yet again. Keep smilin'
Mike
Mike,
Difference between your car and Chris' is that yours has an 01 on the side and is "born/used" to doing jumps. Ok, so you did a mini-jump into a ditch. Lets face it, that was probably as close to jumping your car as you will ever have. :coolgleamA:
:lol:
I know, mine's a hunk a junk compared to most. Just thought I'd try to bring a smile to a bad situation. :icon_smile_big:
Geeeeze Chris, I just noticed this post! It sure brings back memories of when I was putting my car together about 11 years ago. All the drama with the top and leaking glass pretty much mirrors my experience. When having the car painted, I decided to have the same shop do the top and install the glass. When I went to pick up the car, the vinyl top folds were way too far apart and actually went down the sail panels. There also was not enough material too even cover the sail panels all the way to the moulding. I think the top was really for a chevelle. I ended up redoing the top myself and it turned out better than most "professional" jobs I've seen done since. Once the car was on the road and hit some rain, it was apparent that the windshield was not sealed properly. After going though two different "experts", I finally sealed it up myself. I really have gotten to the point where I don't believe a thing these "experts" tell me. I want proof and references that let me know that they actually have worked on classic cars before. I've spent untold sums of money on transmission repairs that never should have been needed, over and over. My latest fiasco came from deciding to have a local shop install some different motor mounts on the car. It was too much of a hassle for me to get the car back to my shop, so that I could do it myself. A few hours after picking It up, I noticed that the hood was dented from the air cleaner wing nut. Initially, I thought it was my problem because the new mounts made the engine sit slightly higher and I had doubled up on the carb to air cleaner gaskets. After further scrutiny, it became obvious that the "tech" had not opened the hood when jacking up the engine. Funny thing, when I called them on it, there was no surprise or argument. They must have known they damaged the hood when I picked up the car and never said a word. :flame: :flame: Now we'll see how well the repair of the hood goes. :rotz: I feel your pain. Bob
Honestly - I do not trust ANYONE else to work on my Charger... If that prick Julius called and wanted to work on my car for free I'd tell him to pound sand... If Strope called... sorry - no thanks... NO ONE works on my Charger but me. I am sick of watching other people get paid good money to F-up cars... I am by no means an expert... but I am better than 90% of the other people who do this for a living.