Vinyl top help needed

[AKcharger]

I'm about 90% done with my Legendary vinyl top and hit a snag...it's bunched up behind the window! Everything went "by the book, not sure why this happened

Photo #1 shows the seam right below the "turn" in the front window frame, so top is where it's supposed to be
Photo #2 shows drivers side glued down smooth (don't worry about that wrinle area, not glued there yet)
Photo #3 shows the problem...extra vinyl on one side!

Any one know any tricks before I slice the seam?

[charger Downunder]

Your doing a nice job Id say they need to check quality control,that would piss me off heaps.Send your pics to legendary.

[mikepmcs]

I agree, looks to be a manufacturer defect.  I'd call their tech line and see if they have had issues with this before.  I wonder how many third generation vinyl tops they have actually sold.
Send them the pictures and so forth.  Maybe you'll get a new top and free installation.
You have done a nice job though. 

How is it attached at that seam on the bunched up side? 
If legendary won't help you, and after you get your money refunded, I'd seam rip it and stretch it and resew the area or find vinyl glue and make it work.
I'd definitely want my money back, but would find a way to make it work.

One thing is for sure, they can't tell you it was from improper installation, because of where the extra fabric is, so I'd say you are safe there.

Good Luck

[AKcharger]

OK got off the phone with the Legendary Tech guy, (took him to this link) and showed him the problem. He said the problem  is I should have started from the middle of the rear valance area the same time I did the roof, taking any extra material and pushing it outwards.  They were nice enough and I can fix it by slicing the seam and matching it up covered with an uber thin bead of white sealent. I wish the instructions were more clear and had more than one illustration, but then again, there's a disclaimer at the bottom of the instructions that says:

"...We recommend having a professional Interior and trim shop install your new legendary vinyl top"   

Well when I'm done I'll post a FULLY illustrated "How-To" so someone can avoid this goof.

[mikepmcs]

The only problem I have with that statement about the professional installation is.....if they hadn't put one on, then they would have had the same problem as you did due to lack of detailed instructions, then they would have fixed it and most likely not told you until 3 years down the road when you discovered it on your own because of the substandard sealer they put on is coming apart or the tech wasn't experienced enough to make it permanent.

I haven't had any luck with any upholstery shop I have ever dealt with.  When I was building a 68 firebird years ago, I did the interior myself, I sourced out the sun visors and it looked like a 2 year old had put them together.  I'm a big fan of do it yourself, because you know the quality you are looking for.  Darn those disclaimers, I say. That stinks. 

Adapt and overcome, I know you will.

On another note, that is quite a bit of extra material, my question being....Where are the seams supposed to line up in reference to the rear glass and deck lid?  Just curious to see if the tech's statement would ring true had you pushed out from the middle.  Wonder of the seams would have been close to factory specs.

Mike

[AKcharger]

WellI'm guessing that they'd be outboard ofthe roof seams by about 1 inch on each side probably not noticable. I think the pax side seam on mine will be off about 1 1/2 to 2 inches, hopfully shouldn't be able to tell

[Nacho-RT74]

OK got off the phone with the Legendary Tech guy, (took him to this link) and showed him the problem. He said the problem  is I should have started from the middle of the rear valance area the same time I did the roof, taking any extra material and pushing it outwards.  They were nice enough and I can fix it by slicing the seam and matching it up covered with an uber thin bead of white sealent. I wish the instructions were more clear and had more than one illustration, but then again, there's a disclaimer at the bottom of the instructions that says:

"...We recommend having a professional Interior and trim shop install your new legendary vinyl top"  

Well when I'm done I'll post a FULLY illustrated "How-To" so someone can avoid this goof.

I was to say that!!! when I made my top instalattion I fit the center section on roof and rear deck panel at the same time FIRST and then stretched from there to be sure seams were aligned on both sections

[AKcharger]

I was to say that!!! when I made my top instalattion I fit the center section on roof and rear deck panel at the same time FIRST and then stretched from there to be sure seams were aligned on both sections

Now you tell me 

[Nacho-RT74]

I was to say that!!! when I made my top instalattion I fit the center section on roof and rear deck panel at the same time FIRST and then stretched from there to be sure seams were aligned on both sections

Now you tell me 

NOW YOU ASK ME

[Tilar]

Yeah I know this thread is 19 months old.   

I just ran into this exact same situation. 





Since I already have the main part of the top glued down, Is there any chance of getting this cluster f*&k straightened out?

If I pull the top back up and try this again, Is it going to stretch out and look really bad? Maybe since I already trimmed some from the rear window, is it going to be too short to cover?

[Charger-Bodie]

Is the rest of the top to your satisfaction? If so you can probably salage the deal by cutting out the pemade rear seams and making new seams .

[Nacho-RT74]

Yeah I know this thread is 19 months old.   

I just ran into this exact same situation. 

well, you already know the answer LOL...

2nd gens are fairly easier than 3rd gens

[Tilar]

Is the rest of the top to your satisfaction? If so you can probably salage the deal by cutting out the pemade rear seams and making new seams .

That's probably what I'll end up doing. I cant sew new seams like the originals, but i'm assuming the glue would probably hold to make the new seams look original or close to it.

I got disgusted with it last night and came home but I really don't want to take it all back off. I'll take a look at it again this afternoon.

[AKcharger]

Tilar, don't dispair there buddy, we'll get ya through this...personally I don't feel so stupid no knowing I'm not the only one to fall victim to this!  OK here's what ya do:
Go ahead and start to glue down the Drivers side just like normal and go about half way across, as always go slow and take your time.

[AKcharger]

Here's what it will look like when done, will line up real nice

[AKcharger]

OK now you have this bunch of stuff. get a razor and CAREFULLY slice the seam    once you slice it start gluing again in 2-3 ince sections. you want to get rid of the excess material and make the two pieces meet back at the seem, not really too hard but remember you can't  replace material if you cut too much so go slow and easy

[AKcharger]

When done here's what it will look like, you can see the seem is off a bit but no one will ever detect that unless you point it out. Here's that seem after 18 months, still fine and all I used was glue. a thin line of white RTV might be a good idea but it's working for me. PM me if you run into problems

AK

[Nacho-RT74]

this is how my first vinyl was installed ( by a professional )...

he glued the center rear section simply simulatting it was seamed folding down the vinyl over the side vinyl sections...

then I decided to make the next top installation by myself

[doctorpimp]

Just found this post too...

I had the same problem with mine 2 1/2 years ago!  I think Legendary made their tops too big!  I don't believe that answer - especially if there are three cars here with the same problem!!!! 

Anyway, I just sliced the seam and glued it down too - I didn't call Legendary 'cause I thought it was my mistake...  Oh well lol

[Nacho-RT74]

the goal is glue first the center section on rear... THEN STRETCH in opposite way than 2nd gens.

[gtx6970]

"...We recommend having a professional Interior and trim shop install your new legendary vinyl top"

I'll just pay some who knows what they are doing , then if they screw it up, THEY pay for it or know how to fix it

[AKcharger]

That's often the problem, depending on where you live you may not find anyone, remeber they haven't put these things on cars for over 20 years