I have finally purchased all the necessary original materials to put a vinyl top on my 68 SS396. I am going to have the top put on by a professional, but I would like to prep the roof myself to save on costs. Should the paint be sanded off, and primed. Drip rail moldings (Have the original vinyl top moldings on their way) should be removed, and should the valley around the drip rails be sanded smooth. It looks like the paint is cracking and there are "chunks" of paint sitting there. Anything else I should do?

What kind of sand paper should be used, and possibly what kind of primer?

Thanks
HovsSS

I would'nt put a vinyl top over just primer! Your roof will rust off. Primer will not hold back moisture, maby por-15? But hopefully someone else will chime in.

After removing the old vinyl, I'd remove all the old glue with lacquer thinner, then sand it down with a DA/80 grit paper. Do any body work/rust repair, and fill in pitting with filler. Then a couple good coats of epoxy primer. Then top coat it with a cheap black acrylic enamel. This way you will never have to worry about rusting.

i am in the same boat and thought too about por 15. Anyone know if this is good?

i am in the same boat and thought too about por 15. Anyone know if this is good?

I think POR 15 for this application is not the best thing to use. Remember POR stands for, paint over rust"

Hopefully you are correctly preparing your roof like Bill Rose described. If so you will not have future rust problems. :noway:

Mike

Bill Rose or anyone else... Bill you said to top coat with black acrylic enamel (I'm assuming rattle can). How long is the cure time until the vinyl can be installed?
Thanks!

I wouldn't use a rattle can. I'd use a gun with a two part urethane or acrylic enamel with hardener. I too am curious about the cure time. Last time we did my chevelle we put the vinyl top on before we painted the car...and yep it did the typical rust underneath it...so this time I want to paint under it but I do not know how long I need to wait to have the top put on.

Yes I would use an enamel with a hardener, and spray it on with a gun. I'd talk to the paint rep about cure time. I waited a couple months, but only because that was how long it took to get the rest of the paint sanded and wheeled out. I would think a week or so would be enough cure time to glue the vinyl top on.