SLICKNICK
Jan 8th, 10, 2:22 AM
If the chevelle has a vinyl top is it possible to just take it off to make it a hard top?
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67shovel Jan 8th, 10, 8:35 AM Absolutely. All cars start as hardtops and they just glue the vinyl on top. Be warned though, as you pull that old top off you may find a can of worms with rust issues. They generally don't paint the whole roof at the factory before covering them. You will need to remove the top triim and grind the attachment studs off also. You might have staples holding the vinyl down under your windshield trim and when you remove those don't forget to fill the holes somehow. Expect to have to do some more body work to the roof to quarter seam as the factory also left that area rougher on a vinyl top car. One last note, if you have rust it will "bubble" the vinyl top material above it. If your top has those bubbles, once you pull that top off you will likely have holes in your roof and your car will no longer be weather proof/ water proof. blasttime Jan 8th, 10, 8:54 AM In process of doing same had new vinyl installed 10 years ago and bubbled. Tore it off used thinners on a rag let sit a few minutes ang rolled off took about 5 hours. -2 c degrees with garage door open for fumes was dam cold on fingers, On my 69 theres 10 holes from trim to weld up and some pins to cut off. I took windshield and back window out for blasting this will be the lastime. the heckler Jan 8th, 10, 9:20 AM fwiw...my 67ss396 came marina blue with a black vinyl top. when I had the car painted 15+ years ago I thought I would replace the top on it as I really liked the look. when my body man got close to the rear top trim piece it basically popped off reavealing a rusty mess under the vinyl and extending to the window channels ect. to this day that surface is still not perfect with the vinyl removed and repainted. I say if you have a totally environment free storage area, your car never sees rain and you live in an area with extremely low humidity - leave the vinyl top on.... Alwhite00 Jan 8th, 10, 2:46 PM Here's another thread. http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302688 LK blasttime Jan 8th, 10, 3:36 PM And Alwhite00 told me . Thanks again. Bob SLICKNICK Jan 9th, 10, 1:54 AM Nice thanks for your input fellas this question has been bugging me for a while. Brian J Jan 9th, 10, 2:22 PM Check out what lurks in the firey depths beneath a vinyl top. Not for those with a weak stomach, if this is you turn away quickly... http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/95silverstallion/DSC03159.jpg http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/95silverstallion/DSC03175.jpg http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/95silverstallion/DSC03174.jpg not trying to jack your thread just making it obvious that its not as simple as taking the top off. Alwhite00 Jan 9th, 10, 8:14 PM Not saying yours will be like this but just be aware of what could be. You just never know what can be under there and you need to be prepared to deal with any issues that come up. LK http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/alwhite00/vinyl-rust.jpg http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/alwhite00/vinylrot.jpg | ||