I have an original vinyl top in perfect condition on my car. I use Vaseline to maintain it keeping it from drying out about once a year. I have however some rust in the corners under the rear window that needs taking care of, its obvious since the vinyl has lifted there. Most likely I may have rust on other areas too under that vinyl and the best would be to strip it all off, fix all the rust and then have a new vinyl top installed. What bugs me is that such an operation is at least 1000 dollars (on this side of the pond) for replacing an already good looking top. The vinyl also sits very tight all over the roof except for under the rear window, which indicates that it hopefully isnt that bad under it. I realize that this probably is wishful thinking but have to ask all the same if there is anyone out there that have managed to loosen vinyl from the roof without tearing it? That may have a tip or two to share from the experience in doing it...? My plan is to have the rear window with trim taken out, then hopefully be able to loosen the vinyl and fold it aside enough to take care of the rust. On that little middle piece of vinyl under the rear window it feels doable, and if not that piece probably could be replaced by a new without too much headache. All inputs are appreciated Thanks
u may, if u are very careful, peel back the vinyl top from around the rear window, have the required repairs made and then reglue the vinyl back in place.
Hi Gerry, That is what Im hoping for, have you any experience from doing this? Below a pict from my bad corner.ou:
I think it may be a waste of time. It will probaly rip and a new top will look much better anyway. I got a new top from Kee Auto tops and grain is very close to original.
The chance of saving 1k and time as well works as a motivator for me, at least its worth a try I was thinking on using a heat gun and take my time to peel it off bit by bit enough to fix the rust
before i ripped the top off my gs alomost 2 years ago, i did gently pull the vinyl top away from around the rear window and the rear quarter. it came off without stretching the material. there was very little rusty metal pieces on the vinyl. it probably could have been re-used. but that was not my plan. if u have large clumps of rust that have bulged the vinyl, then it has stretched and my not reglue & fit flat. i suggest u try lifting the vinyl and see what u have.
I get your point, I wish my bulged area was under that small middle peace under the window that probably is easy to replace once the window is out, but its not. On the other hand it’s close to where the vinyl is folded under the window trim. Yes, the plan is to release the trim and peek under the vinyl.
Did so and found four holes with the size of a finger, cant say Im surprised. Guess its similar in the opposite corner. Vinyl came loose easy btw, so far.
Update: The vinyl came off nicely and in one piece, only small pieces of the inner layer didnt let go on some places. I had heated up the garage for starters (35 F* outside today) and worked with an adjustable heat-gun. So far so good, next step will be rust fighting.
A friend whos restoring a 68 Eldorado told me about a method to soften up old stiff vinyl. Mix 50% glycerol and 50% alcohol. Then you brush the mixture on time after time and finally the effect sets in, think Ive gone give it a try. Mine is pretty hard, especially now when its cold.
the vinyl roof on my 72 gs was number 2 when i purchased the car in 2000. In october of 2008, we removed the vinyl roof as i was having the car totally repainted and a new vinyl roof installed. once the stainless trim was removed, the roof came off easily. we removed the glue using a 3m product. however, the roof metal had been painted with pale yellow enamel paint which probably prevented any rust. i am guessing the the fellow that i purchased the car from had done the paint job as he had installed the 2nd vinyl roof. we had to sand that to bare metal.
This week I glued the vinyl back on again and the result turned out better than I had hopped for with almost 40 year old and rather stiff vinyl. I did ran a little short at the corners which resulted in little gaps (3mm) towards the vinyl trim there ou: , I probably folded in just a little too much on the window side corners. I covered the gaps with some black duct tape that has similar color and structure as the vinyl, it will probably loosen in hot sunshine later on but have to do for now. Once you spray on the glue (on the metal and vinyl) you have to act fairly fast before it dries, with two persons it would had been easier working on each side. The re-glued areas has on some places very tiny bubbles but there is no air in them, its probably old glue or me using too much new glue. I installed the trim too after some HARD work polishing off all old silicone Going to the car glass shop this Thursday to have the window installed, I pray for the dry weather to hold on till then...ray:
does anybody have pics of the wiring for a 455 buick riv how it goes along the fire wall and across the motor over the brake booster ect thanks
You may want to make a new thread asking that, as it is totally unrelated to this thread, and not many people will see your post. Making a new thread will get you more bites, versus posting your question in an ongoing thread that covered a different topic. Not trying to be rude, just offering some advice that may help you find what you are looking for alot faster. That said... welcome to V8Buick.
