The nightmare can start

Belgium R/T -68 · July 18, 2009, 05:49:11 AM

Thuesday me and the wife will try to install the vinyltop, something I've never did and therefor delayed long enough.
Please, I would appreciate any good tricks or links on the best way to do it. I have questions like: how big areas to glue at the time?
when to start to cut in the vinyl for the corners? how to keep the glue to NOT coming on the area you are not working on for the moment?
I have 4 bottles of 3M glue so I should be good. Enough plastic to cover all area not supposed to have any glue and a very good spirit.

Per

1969chargerrtse · July 18, 2009, 06:46:40 AM

I would just google " How to install a vinyl top on my car " etc... Tons of info out there, maybe even a You Tube vid to show it.

y3chargerrt · July 18, 2009, 07:16:05 AM

A good tip is to not start drinking until the job is done!

Belgium R/T -68 · July 18, 2009, 08:11:45 AM

Quote from: y3chargerrt on July 18, 2009, 07:16:05 AM
A good tip is to not start drinking until the job is done!

Had my last drink 14th of march 2007, that's why I spend all that time and money on my Charger.

y3chargerrt · July 18, 2009, 08:40:59 AM

Great to hear that. I had my last drink Sept 1991!

b5blue · July 18, 2009, 09:36:23 AM

You want to let that top smooth out totally before you start even if you have to warm it up with a hair dryer in some areas.

Belgium R/T -68 · July 18, 2009, 10:01:17 AM

Quote from: b5blue on July 18, 2009, 09:36:23 AM
You want to let that top smooth out totally before you start even if you have to warm it up with a hair dryer in some areas.

Thanks, even read somewhere that somebody used the iron used for clothing.

Just 6T9 CHGR · July 18, 2009, 10:47:18 AM

This should help immensely...

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,30095.0.html

even the same color cars....sheesh

green69rt · July 18, 2009, 12:05:49 PM

Quote from: Belgium R/T -68 on July 18, 2009, 10:01:17 AM
Quote from: b5blue on July 18, 2009, 09:36:23 AM
You want to let that top smooth out totally before you start even if you have to warm it up with a hair dryer in some areas.

Thanks, even read somewhere that somebody used the iron used for clothing.

Use the iron but put a piece of fabric (like an old sheet) between the iron and the vinyl to protect the finish of the vinyl. Test this on a piece of scrap.

69bronzeT5 · July 18, 2009, 01:18:22 PM

Mopar Muscle did an article on installing vinyl tops not too long ago. I'd scan it for you but I don't have access to a scanner...and the issue is at home (I'm 3 hrs away). Maybe somebody else can scan it? They used a '69 Superbee in it.

Just 6T9 CHGR · July 18, 2009, 02:15:53 PM

The link above includes the link to the MM article where they actually did a top on a Charger

Belgium R/T -68 · July 18, 2009, 02:23:22 PM

Great link there Chris

I can't see on Bills driprails if the vinyl just stays in the rail or continues on the outer side?
Anybody with a closer pic?

Per

b5blue · July 18, 2009, 02:40:12 PM

Good luck Per! I dread doing that and the headliner both!

Belgium R/T -68 · July 18, 2009, 02:42:36 PM

Quote from: b5blue on July 18, 2009, 02:40:12 PM
Good luck Per! I dread doing that and the headliner both!

Thanks friend

I sure will need that. I hope my wifes experience with hanging wallpapers counys for something.

Per

Just 6T9 CHGR · July 18, 2009, 07:21:51 PM

Quote from: Belgium R/T -68 on July 18, 2009, 02:23:22 PM
Great link there Chris I can't see on Bills driprails if the vinyl just stays in the rail or continues on the outer side?
Anybody with a closer pic?

Per

The vinyl goes over the driprail....I trimmed mine halfway up the outer edge of the rail....wait till you have to put the forward down facing pieces over this,......

A lot of trimming & cursing to get that one on...

Belgium R/T -68 · July 19, 2009, 02:24:31 AM

It looks like mission impossible to get that molding over the seams.

Per

green69rt · July 19, 2009, 09:49:06 AM

Quote from: NOT Just 6T9 CHGR on July 18, 2009, 07:21:51 PM
Quote from: Belgium R/T -68 on July 18, 2009, 02:23:22 PM
Great link there Chris I can't see on Bills driprails if the vinyl just stays in the rail or continues on the outer side?
Anybody with a closer pic?

Per

The vinyl goes over the driprail....I trimmed mine halfway up the outer edge of the rail....wait till you have to put the forward down facing pieces over this,......

A lot of trimming & cursing to get that one on...

I saw another thread that recommended not putting the vinyl under the window clips. Makes the trim fit wrong. Anybody else got a recommendation?

I saw

Charger-Bodie · July 19, 2009, 10:04:19 AM

Quote from: green69rt on July 19, 2009, 09:49:06 AM
Quote from: NOT Just 6T9 CHGR on July 18, 2009, 07:21:51 PM
Quote from: Belgium R/T -68 on July 18, 2009, 02:23:22 PM
Great link there Chris I can't see on Bills driprails if the vinyl just stays in the rail or continues on the outer side?
Anybody with a closer pic?

Per

The vinyl goes over the driprail....I trimmed mine halfway up the outer edge of the rail....wait till you have to put the forward down facing pieces over this,......

A lot of trimming & cursing to get that one on...
I saw another thread that recommended not putting the vinyl under the window clips. Makes the trim fit wrong. Anybody else got a recommendation?

I saw

Per,

You definitely want the clips to hold the vinyl.....that's also how the factory did it.

Belgium R/T -68 · July 19, 2009, 11:24:34 AM

Will do so Brian

What about the roof? It has now clearcoat, should I sand it a little for better grip for the glue?

Per

b5blue · July 19, 2009, 02:41:29 PM

I checked my copy of "Project Charger" by Larry Lyles...he didn't sand his clear coat and he says to "work in 18 inch strips to smooth out the bubbles". Hope that help any Per.

Belgium R/T -68 · July 19, 2009, 02:45:19 PM

Quote from: b5blue on July 19, 2009, 02:41:29 PM
I checked my copy of "Project Charger" by Larry Lyles...he didn't sand his clear coat and he says to "work in 18 inch strips to smooth out the bubbles". Hope that help any Per.

I'm happy for all info and encurigement (is that a word

)

Per

b5blue · July 19, 2009, 02:52:45 PM

Encouragement yes! Part of my being underwhelmed by this book is that it lacks details you could need now! He gives 1 page and 5 photos.

Belgium R/T -68 · July 19, 2009, 03:07:44 PM

It will be try and error. H**l, I never restored a car before but with learning from all mistakes and asking a lot of questions I'm getting there.

Per

b5blue · July 19, 2009, 03:13:36 PM

You will do fine I'm certain!

Belgium R/T -68 · July 20, 2009, 12:19:50 PM

Point of no return, tomorrow is the big day

Per

b5blue · July 20, 2009, 12:36:56 PM

She's ready for surgery....are you!

mopar73 · July 20, 2009, 11:11:38 PM

Good luck, just remember were all counting on you

Belgium R/T -68 · July 21, 2009, 11:51:21 AM

It's done

I will come back with moore pictures and findings once it's dried and cut. thanks anyway for the support.

Per

mopar73 · July 21, 2009, 12:21:56 PM

Quote from: Belgium R/T -68 on July 21, 2009, 11:51:21 AM
It's done I will come back with moore pictures and findings once it's dried and cut. thanks anyway for the support.

Per

It looks like your wife does a fine job

69*F5*SE · July 21, 2009, 12:39:10 PM

Looks fantastic Per. Great job.

BigBlockSam · July 21, 2009, 01:27:46 PM

Foreman72 · July 21, 2009, 01:40:17 PM

all these vinyl threads make me even more happy that i only have a quarter top

b5blue · July 21, 2009, 04:08:40 PM

Belgium R/T -68 · July 22, 2009, 01:53:33 PM

Today I continued with trimming of all vinyl not needed and removing all maskingstripe/tejp(??) which took moore time then yesterdays
installation.

Some findings I have after doing this for the first time:

Extremely important to pack in the complete car because the 3M sprayglue gets everywhere, I'm lucky I did it.
Finding the center on the roof is a little bit tricky in the rear but used the rear windowopening and driprail to driprail.
I ironed the VT before laying it, got out the worst wrinkles.
I underrestimated the difficulty to cover the vinyl already installed to avoid getting glue sprayed over it, went better after a while.
Glue on the vinyl goes away with a cloth with some water.
Easier to take bigger parts at the time on the top.
We only used a clean, dry white cloth to press the vinyl to the roof. No special tools and no hairdryer needed.
The last bubbles I got out hours after I was finnished, the moore the glue hardens the better you get the bubbles out.
Don't forget to mark where the holes are for the trim and reveals for the windowtrim!!!!!
My car didn't have a vinyltop so I checked pics everywher to know how to mask off.

I do think though that the biggest challenge is ahead, to get the driprailmolding over the seam on the A-pillar.

Per

Foreman72 · July 22, 2009, 01:56:00 PM

wow dude...

great work

68r/t · July 22, 2009, 06:49:33 PM

Quote from: Belgium R/T -68 on July 22, 2009, 01:53:33 PM
Today I continued with trimming of all vinyl not needed and removing all maskingstripe/tejp(??) which took moore time then yesterdays
installation.

Some findings I have after doing this for the first time:

Extremely important to pack in the complete car because the 3M sprayglue gets everywhere, I'm lucky I did it.
Finding the center on the roof is a little bit tricky in the rear but used the rear windowopening and driprail to driprail.
I ironed the VT before laying it, got out the worst wrinkles.
I underrestimated the difficulty to cover the vinyl already installed to avoid getting glue sprayed over it, went better after a while.
Glue on the vinyl goes away with a cloth with some water.
Easier to take bigger parts at the time on the top.
We only used a clean, dry white cloth to press the vinyl to the roof. No special tools and no hairdryer needed.
The last bubbles I got out hours after I was finnished, the moore the glue hardens the better you get the bubbles out.
Don't forget to mark where the holes are for the trim and reveals for the windowtrim!!!!!
My car didn't have a vinyltop so I checked pics everywher to know how to mask off.

I do think though that the biggest challenge is ahead, to get the driprailmolding over the seam on the A-pillar.

Per

The vinyl top cars have diffrent front pillar trims to suit the seam on the vinyl top, I bought a set that was to suit a non vinyl car and they did not fit good at all.
I then got a set off a vinyl top car and fit great, they are a little wider where the seam is.

mike337 · November 08, 2009, 01:02:09 PM

I am at the same point now of trying to get the drip rail trim over the newly installed top. I does not seem to want to cooperate with me. I know I have the right trim, because it was originally a vinyl top car, and I removed the trim. Any tricks to getting it back on such as soap or silicon, before I take a rubber mallet to it and end up denting the trim?

Mike

bull · November 08, 2009, 08:22:06 PM

Quote from: Foreman72 on July 21, 2009, 01:40:17 PM
all these vinyl threads make me even more happy that i only have a quarter top

And I'm that much more happy than you to not have one at all.

News:

The nightmare can start