Who deleted his vinyl top? *** pic added.....

[CB]

unfortunately my dig camera is MIA so no pics of my car. sorry.

This afternoon I decided to take off the vinyl top because it was bubbling.
I was afraid the bubbles predict to be major rustissues, but man, I was so pleased to see it was only air
After pulling it off my roof is smooth as silk, no rust anywhere,  ready for paint !!! Great!

So now I want to know from you guys, who has done this before, what the car needs to look like it came top deleted.

Thanks guys!

[Troy]

I did it to one of mine. You'll need to fill in all the holes (weld) for the vinyl top trim around the sail panel. Make sure the drip rail sealer along the top is good. After removing the vinyl, your drip rail mouldings probably won't fit any more so you either need to figure out how to squish them without messing them up or order new ones. You may have the same issue with the windshield and rear window trim. Make sure the roof is flat and not dented then paint to match.

Troy

[JimShine]

The seam filler will have to be replaced as well. The factory used lead, I used Metal 2 Metal based on Drop Tops reccomendation. It came out great!

[Troy]

Whoops! Forgot about that. The one I did it to already had lead in the seam (figure that one out!).

Troy

[CB]

Cool
I was planning to remove the filler.
And yes the moldings will prolly be too big to fit. 
Means $

[Drop Top]

To tighten up the stainless trim. Take a set of duck bill vise grip pliers. Wrap a rag between the pliers and the trim. Then squeeze the trim ever so slightly together. Do this a little at a time and just enough to do the job. I have done this and it cheaper then trying to find good or new ones. The lip that goes over the top of the drip rail is what needs to be squeezed together.

[CB]

thanks for the tip, Drop Top.
I was thinking to put back small strips of the old vinyl on the rails so it would fit.

[CB]

ok, not such a good pic but still gives youan idea.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I like the vinyl better.........

[MyMopar]

I like the vinyl better.........

I'll have to second that.

[73rallye440magnum]

third.

[BigBlockSam]

forth

[CB]

ok, it is looking nicer with the top on but I am just showing how nice the roof looks.
I meant that if I would go topless (   ) I won't need a new roof. Many people tell me to keep it B5 blue with the black top.

If I find another B or E body, the Charger will be painted B5, with top that is.
I just can't miss the sound and driving when it's at the paint shop for months .

Also I love the smooth line where the roof goes over into the quarter. It is interrupted with the vinyl and trim.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Again, I beg to differ.......if anything the vinyl roof accentuates the roof line

[ChargerRob]

I fifth the motion. Keep the vinyl. 

[derailed]

 

[Drop Top]

You would be suprized how nice it would look if you changed it to a white top and stripe. It makes B-5 blue come alive. I had a Super Bee that came from the factory this way. I have seen Chargers like this also  .

[wLc]

Any advice on welding up the vinyl trim holes? What's the best way to do this? I have a mig welder that I will use and I really don't have that much experience with welding.

[Drop Top]

I just started a 69 GTO. The owner wants to delete the vinyl top on it. I used a jewelers torch to fill in the holes. To do it with a mig. Clean off all paint and rust from around the hole. Make sure you have a good ground and start filling the hole. After you have the hole filled in. Grind it smooth. Try to make the weld as flat as possable. That way you will have less to grind off.

[MyMopar]

White stripe and vinyl top  would be cool with the B-5 Blue, IMO.

[wreckova68]

i agree the vinyl roof looks best but I got mine with gloss black paint to match the vinyl lines and think it looks okay for now.  I'd guess the trim holes were just filled as there are cracks coming through the paint now.

[HeavyFuel]

i agree the vinyl roof looks best but I got mine with gloss black paint to match the vinyl lines and think it looks okay for now.   I'd guess the trim holes were just filled as there are cracks coming through the paint now.

Hey, Wreck, what color is your car?  Looks like a shade of gold.  Is it a factory color?  Pretty sharp.

[wLc]

I just started a 69 GTO. The owner wants to delete the vinyl top on it. I used a jewelers torch to fill in the holes. To do it with a mig. Clean off all paint and rust from around the hole. Make sure you have a good ground and start filling the hole. After you have the hole filled in. Grind it smooth. Try to make the weld as flat as possable. That way you will have less to grind off.

So basically I would just be tack welding on tack welds till the hole gets filled? Will warping be much of an issue?

[Drop Top]

It will warp if you get it too hot. Just don't rush it. Let it coolbefore you go to the next hole. Or if you spend too much time on one hole, let it cool before you finish it. Some people use a wet rag or a spray bottle to keep it cool. I don't like to do it this way. It causes the metal to get too brittle.

[wLc]

Okay thanks Drop Top. What about using an airhose for cooling down the metal?