Hi all. I'm not sure if this is the correct section of the forum to post this kind of question but if not, feel free to move it where you want it. I have a small rip (about 2" as far as I can understand from the previous owner) in the vinyl of my 72 GS (I don't have a good picture of it yet). Is it hard to restore this or should I just remove the entire roof instead? The car will not be restored to original otherwise so that's not a major concern for me. TIA.
I haven't really heard of a good way to repair the rips and tears.I've just post-poned replacing mine by putting Marine Goop over the tears in mine until I replace it again.It gets easier each time..... ou:
Hehe. Let's turn it around then; how hard would it be to remove the vinyl roof and restore the metal roof underneath?
Martin, It depends on the condition of the metal underneath. You will not know until you tear off the vinyl. Maybe the paint is Ok but covered with adhesive. Also beware as there probably will be rust below the rear windshield that will need repair. It is best to find and fix this anyway. Also the holes where the metal trim attaches will have to be filled as well. My vote is to rip it off and perform repairs first as you can always replace it. Just be very careful removing and replacing the rain gutters as many people really butcher these things. You will need special tools to remove the front and rear windshield trim as well.
Thanks Dave. I figure I need to be a lot more careful when pulling this car apart as it would be considerably harder to find parts for this than, say, a Volvo.
Sorry Martin.I misread your question and thought you were talking about a convertible top.DURRRRR!!!! p ou:
Martin The vinyl top material is relatively cheap and available. If it is ripped just replace it. Something ugly can be growing under it and you should use this as an opportunity to catch it early and fix it. If left alone a vinyl top will promote conditions that can literally dissolve your metal roof. Vinyl roofs were lovely on some cars but a terrible idea in the sense they promote a destructive environment for metal.
I agree absolutely with Jim Lore. I live in FL and have lost count how many v.top cars I have stripped in the local yards where the vinyl material was the only thing keeping water and sunlight from getting inside the car. It was a bad idea! It accelerates rust and metal erosion by a factor of 10 maybe even 20 times faster than a painted roof. If you like the color contrast, fix any and all rust and go with a painted roof. That way, you can keep the v.top trim and have the looks.
Everybody says that, and of course I'm sure it's true in most cases but after redoing my car this year the top looked really, really good. Where the windshield met the roof was really bad, but the roof on the whole was in great shape, and that was after 35 years.
I would count your findings as suppotive of George's observations. It caused a problem that you describe as "really bad." Our point is that it is hard to find a vinyl top car from that era without damage caused by the top itself.
What I mean to say that given all of the horror stories about vinyl top cars, how bad they can be, how quickly they destroy tops and people thinking about living them off to save trouble with all that considered. The top was better than my fenders, rocker panels, parts of the frame, quarter panels and doors. On 98% of my roof there was zero rust, I mean like zero, and it was the original top. Right up against the windsheild was bad I'll admit that, and given another two seasons probably would have started leaking, I don't think the top had too much to do with that, I think it was that the seem where the roof meets the trim holds water. The top hides rust, it certainly does, and can keep you from stopping rust before it really gets a foot hold, but causing rust? Maybe at different altitudes, longitudes and conditions, but I would never hesitate to purchase a garage kept vinyl top car.
