I will be installing a vinly top in my '70 Elky after painting. Should I paint the roof along with the car (I'm using single stage urethane), or just glue the roof to my DP40 and not paint it first? Thanks.

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"SSuper Dave" Palmer
A.C.E.S. #1483
Team Chevelle #32 Gold
1968 Chevelle
1988 Trans Am
1970 El Camino (electrical system operating, Vortec engine starts and runs at last!Bodywork is continuing.

A coat of paint would be added insurance if the car will be seeing wet weather.
Rich

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SSuper Dave:
I will be installing a vinly top in my '70 Elky after painting. Should I paint the roof along with the car (I'm using single stage urethane), or just glue the roof to my DP40 and not paint it first? Thanks.

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paint companies make special paint for vinyl. make sure you clean it first with a good vinyl cleaner (you paint store will recommend one for you) then spray it with a specially formulated vinyl spray. it will stick and last for a long time. why would you glue the roof to the dp40? it won't help you.

I painted mine along with the rest of the car with ss urethane. I made sure to get good coverage around the window seats. Anything you can do to eliminate potential rust puts you ahead of the game.

I'm one who loves the look of the "hairpiece". I think Elkys really look good with them!

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Elcaminos are special!
I'd rather walk around with a Chevrolet hubcap in my hand than drive a Ford

Ole Paint (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/olepaint1)

Urethane is fine. Paint your roof with the rest of the car. here's some other tips:
Use 3M glue only. 4 cans
Let it dry thoroughly before trying to 'stick it'.
Never stretch the vinyl top.
start in the middle of the top. Center it 1st
70 degree minmum working environment and circulating air helps. A LOT!
Never trim the vinyl (with a razor knife) and cut through into the paint. I've seen this done and it causes major rust to start. I re-painted a whole car because of that after rust bubbled out from the trim edges.
Have someone there to help you.

Make sure you garage your car too. I had a vinyl put on my 69 SS by a professional, and several years later I had rust pockets oozing through the vinyl. It was soo bad it eventually went through the roof. In my case, if I wanted to keep the top off, I would have to find a donor to make my an El Convertable. Just be sure all the rust is gone. I slapped a coat of Por 15 down and then smoothed it with fiberglass filler. I will never let the car sit outside again.