Vinyl top can you repair rust or must replace

[70RR]

On my 1969 Roadrunner I have the typical rust coming under the Vinyl Top between the rear window and the side window ..The rust goes half way up and then stops no other rust is visable..So here is the question...Can you some how pull up that 12" to 18" section sand down the rust seal it some how and pull it back down and reuse or is a Vinyl Top issue always have to replace and no looking back. I believe it is original VT...Thanks in advance..Rick

 

[63RedFury]

If you can pull up the top without it ripping you can reglue it.Use 3M spray glue your local paint store can help out with that.

 

[MoparMikey]

I would give it a try but the VT might already be streched so that it won't lay flat again but try it and see.

 

[70RR]

Tool to remove Vinyl Top with ?

O.K. I am going to try fixing this Rust under Vinyl Top..If it does not work I will just have it replaced, I would hate to spend the $$$ if I do not have too....What do you recommend I start to lift the Top with..Any special tool or one that most of us all ready have..Thank you for your help..Rick..
:blob1:

 

[Propwash]

If you can pull up the top without it ripping you can reglue it.Use 3M spray glue your local paint store can help out with that.

I agree......use a heat gun to make it more pliable if you're having issues getting it to lay back down correct..Or even to help get it off. 3M makes a trim/vinyl glue in a spray can specifically made for such applications

Myself I would wonder what else that vinyl top is hiding around the rest of the roof..To start to lift it off, I would use some sort of plastic puddy knife or body filler applicator pad...maybe a platic/vinyl trim tool? Either way, nothing metal.

good luck

 

[70RR]

Thanks For Vinyl Top Advise

Thank you for advise..I thought about if I see more Rust than I expect I will repace the top..My last resort ....I have been to a few sites that sell Vinyl Tops it seems like $140 to $150 is going rate for one. If I need one I was hoping to find some on BBOF that has one for sale they did not need or use..Any thing I can do to save a little $$$, so far BBOF has been very good to me..People like your self sharing info with other Mopar drivers is Huge..
Thanks again Rick

I agree......use a heat gun to make it more pliable if you're having issues getting it to lay back down correct..Or even to help get it off. 3M makes a trim/vinyl glue in a spray can specifically made for such applications

Myself I would wonder what else that vinyl top is hiding around the rest of the roof..To start to lift it off, I would use some sort of plastic puddy knife or body filler applicator pad...maybe a platic/vinyl trim tool? Either way, nothing metal.

good luck

 

[MoparBill]

On my 69 RoadRunner the vinyl top was installed before the back window trim clips. You'll have to at least remove the rear window trim and drip rail trim. Let us know how it works and post pics!

 

[72 Charger SE]

Good luck on your project. I wasn't quite so lucky when my top was peeled back. I ended up having to cut and weld new metal in a couple of spots before putting the new top on (top needed replaced anyway due to a botched windshield replacement by a "professional" who cut the top, and then tried to stretch it and hide the cut under the windshield trim.)

 

[trimmer]

I have been doing Vinyl, and convertible tops and auto interiors for well over 40 years.

It has been my findings that the time required to try to save a top and reuse it is not worth the effort. If you can see rust bubbles showing under the top and the top is over say 10 years old you will be money ahead to rip off the entire top and repair the damage. I am positive you will discover a lot more under that top than you originally thought to be there. After you have repaired the damage and have a new top installed you will be much happier although a little poorer.

I would also recommend having your top installed by a pro as it is VERY important to have it centered, straight seams and no over stretching. And the most critical thing is the use of proper glue as at 70 mph you might not have a top when you reach your destination. Tops are really not to hard to install but there is lots of little 'TRICKS" that the pro's use most guys don't know about. I do NOT use spray can glue on anything exposed to the sun, on a hot day it just doesn't hold very good.

Hope this helps, if I can be of assistance p.m. me.

Good Luck...Bill

 

[trimmer]

I should also add that the Pro's don't always get it right all the time either. So before you hire it done be sure to check up on the Pro you choose that they really have the ability to do the work properly. Ask lots of questions and compare the results. Even me as perfect of an individual as I am I still make a mistake every now and then, but I most generally don't tell anyone. lol

Let me state this a little differently. I never make a mistake, I thought I did once but I was wrong. lol

 

[70RR]

Vinyl Top

I am not to worried about Rear Window trim as I am about the Drip Rails..The only good thing is I just purchased some very good used OEM Rails off FBBO memeber as both of mine have a slight Kink in them ..Even if I am succcesful at fixing V-T I might take to a Shop I know and have Rails applied...Other wise I do not think I would even try to due fear of ruining the Drip Rails..Thanks Rick

Rick

On my 69 RoadRunner the vinyl top was installed before the back window trim clips. You'll have to at least remove the rear window trim and drip rail trim. Let us know how it works and post pics!

 

[70RR]

Vinyl Top

As with any thing to do with my Roadrunner repairs I always worry that I make the " Right " choice for repairs that are beyond my expertise....I ask around a lot at car shows when I see new work has been done..In this Shitty economy no one seems to turn work down even if they have never done it before or have no clue what they are doing.....I have been in Wholesale Building Material business for 25+ years I have seen more
" Clowns " that said they were experts working on homes that I would not let them build me a " Dog House "..Even the HIGH end guys that work on Multi Million dollar homes can suck too...I need to see the work in person, to much to risk on there word alone. Nothing is 100% but, after years of being in business you must do good work or you would be gone.
Thank you for you Advise after 40 years I would feel confident in taking my car to you..Too bad I am in Florida and you are not..Thanks Rick

.

I should also add that the Pro's don't always get it right all the time either. So before you hire it done be sure to check up on the Pro you choose that they really have the ability to do the work properly. Ask lots of questions and compare the results. Even me as perfect of an individual as I am I still make a mistake every now and then, but I most generally don't tell anyone. lol

Let me state this a little differently. I never make a mistake, I thought I did once but I was wrong. lol

:eusa_think:

 

[fla 66 cuda]

70RR i have to agree with trimmer if your gonna do it might as well do it right and be done with it [too many times i have done things half assed and ended up doing them twice and spending more] let me check around i know a few guys over here see if they may be intrested [if you would like me to]. I personally don't like vinyl tops at all [jmo]
They come to Checkers on fridays [the main guy i'm thinking of has not been there lately] if he don't want to do it [he does high end customs] i'm sure he can reccomend some one.

 

[70RR]

Recommed Vinyl Top Installer

Thanks again fla 66 cuda..I have NO idea, so if you could recommend some one that would be great..Like you I too can end up paying more than I thought I would doing it WRONG the first time..This if definetly past my ability to fix when the first problem comes up I do not understand ...But, being I have the need to try it any way...If I save it great , if I do not well just more money I guess I need to spend..Need to fix anyway ..Rust is why I hate Vinyl Tops yet, almost every Mopar I have owned had one !! Thanks Rick

70RR i have to agree with trimmer if your gonna do it might as well do it right and be done with it [too many times i have done things half assed and ended up doing them twice and spending more] let me check around i know a few guys over here see if they may be intrested [if you would like me to]. I personally don't like vinyl tops at all [jmo]
They come to Checkers on fridays [the main guy i'm thinking of has not been there lately] if he don't want to do it [he does high end customs] i'm sure he can reccomend some one.

 

[fla 66 cuda]

Ok if your gonna try then go ahead and if i see the guy i'm speaking of i'll ask any way and if you suceed them we'll still know of some one.

 

[trimmer]

About 29 years I lived in Tampa. That is only 500 miles from me now. My youngest son was born in Tampa General.

If you look at my gallery at the green '72 RR you can inspect some of my work. I did that entire car, all the mechanics, body work, paint, interior and yes the top. It is a sharp ride even if I have to pat myself on the back. What you may notice is these pictures are taken at my house is Alabama but the car was actually from Florida, Check out the tag.

I am retired now, but I am still good at what I do. It could be worth a road trip.