hey chevelle guys has anybody ever instaled and or done any extensive work on there convt tops or frames ? any tips on this topic ?

Nope..When I first got my car it needed a top so a friend who owns an upholstery shop installed it for a good price..Only thing I didn't like was when it was stripped he painted the frame which I appreciated but he used gloss black which shows all the little imperfections..Its going mat black with the next top.

Other than getting a new frame blasted and painting it I am content to let someone else work on the top (which I hope to get around to in a couple weeks). Given the cost of the top itself it isn't something I want a novice (myself) messing up, but I've read hear about people doing it themselves so it's certainly possible.

Here's the link to the top frame restoration on Stan's car that we did!!!
Jim
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=338028

I just did my frame over the winter. I started to take the top off, but it looked involved and I didn't want to damage it as it is almost new. I ended up doing the job with the top on. It was a lot harder than it would have been if the top was off. I put clear plastic over the body, interior, and top taping everything really well. I had the top open about 2/3 of the way during post of the process but had to adjust depending on which part I was working on. I used a metal brush on a drill and took it down to bare metal. I only did the main header and side rails going back. The smaller scissor pieces and horizontal bars were good already. Primed it and painted with Rustoleum satin black spray paint. Came out perfect! :D