Hi folks. I'm brand new to this board and it's impressed me as a great place to get this question answered;
Is it possible to lift a portion of a vinyl top (in excellent shape) to do some rust repair, and then re-attach to the repaired surface?
I hate to replace the entire top just to get under it. The rust is right at the top edge of the windshield. This is a '69 el Camino by the way.
I can post a photo or two later.

Here's a photo of the area I'm wanting to repair... http://scooby.cs.nwu.edu/greg/69ec/blisteredroof.jpg

And a couple of the entire car...

http://scooby.cs.nwu.edu/greg/69ec/elcamino.jpg
http://scooby.cs.nwu.edu/greg/69ec/elkyrearquarter.jpg

I'm open to suggestions here.

In some cases it is possible to lift the vinyl, do the repairs and re-glue the top. The controlling factors are age of the vinyl(how brittle), location of the needed repairs and how much padding, if any, is on the vinyl.

From the picture you posted, I'm going to say that the age of the vinyl is your first stumbling block. Based on the look of the rust bumps/bubbles, I'd say the vinyl is going to be too brittle to withstand the necessary pulling and jerking.

The second stumbling block for you is the location. Around a glass is the most difficult area to remove the vinyl without damaging it. Most likely, it is "well glued" in the channel, probably has been punched to fit over the clip studs and of course the clips have been on the vinyl for an unknown number of years. On top of all that, you can't roll the vinyl back far enough to do repairs due to the shape of the roof in that area and the fact that it is glued down on the A pillars plus, if there has been glass sealant or urethane stuffed into the channel, the chance of success falls to near zero.

The bottom line is don't even try it without replacing the vinyl. In all probability, you are going to have to remove the w/s to do proper repairs. You will most likely have to do some metal replacement in the channel. That makes replacing the top considerably easier. Save yourself some grief and buy a new vinyl top. The top and glue will cost less than $100. Cheap.

Greg,
I will also say do the compleat top. If rust is starting to show in one spot, It is getting ready to show in others. Treat it all for rust and then new top. JMOP Bob J.

Thanks a lot for the replies. That helps me to get myself mentally prepared to do this.

Are there any really good instructional sites online for a first time do-it-yourselfer covering vinyl top replacement? Also, one source that you guys would recommend over any other for the needed supplies?

pull it off.... I have the same problem and trust me, it looks much worse when you really see what's under there.