Soft-top destroyed my roof!

[rikubot]

Hi guys,

Today was a sad day for me. I decided to pull the soft top off of my car because it was starting to bubble. I knew I wouldn't like what I'd find under there, and I sure as hell didn't. It appears that the car was originally a soft top and it has been replaced at least once since the first top fell apart. It's hard to tell, but it appears that the metal underneath the last "repair" should have been replaced, but like in many cases, they took the wrong road to fix it. Alas, I am stuck needing a completely new roof. I can here to ask you guys for advice. I don't make a lot of money and I can't do body work. I know the windows will need to come out. I'm sure the roof and drivers side quarter need replaced, and I've priced a roof through classic for about 800 shipped. As far as I know, that's nothing compared to what the labor will cost through a shop. Any advice  or recommendations or experiences are welcome.

[Kern Dog]

I'm not sure that I have heard the term "Soft top" before, the common term is "Vinyl top."
This is a common problem though. The vinyl tops trap water and least to rust damage like you have. The worst is often around the rear window in the 68-70 Charger but many other cars suffer the same fate. AMD does sell roof skins to repair Chargers and other cars but it is a big project to do if you do not have the skills. All the glass comes out, the side weatherstrip channels, headliner, drip rail moldings....

[Lennard]

Give Jeff a call at 521 restorations.  I'm sure he will have a better price than Classic industries and he's in Colorado like yourself.

http://www.521restorations.com/index.pl?page=home

[Laowho]

Give Jeff a call at 521 restorations.  I'm sure he will have a better price than Classic industries and he's in Colorado like yourself.

http://www.521restorations.com/index.pl?page=home

News to me. Thx Lennard.

[rikubot]

I'm not sure that I have heard the term "Soft top" before, the common term is "Vinyl top."

That's interesting. Around here (CO) most people refer to the vinyl top as a soft top, and convertibles are referred to as "rag tops". Maybe it's the "podunk" element of my small town lol.

It definitely seems like it is a very involved repair, and my quarters are in bad shape as well. It would only make sense to do them all at the same time. But this is all out of my skill set and current budget. Any ideas on what I should do to put a band aid on it? Oddly enough I also don't have a garage. 

[rikubot]

Give Jeff a call at 521 restorations.  I'm sure he will have a better price than Classic industries and he's in Colorado like yourself.

http://www.521restorations.com/index.pl?page=home

Will give them a call. Thanks!

[Lennard]

Give Jeff a call at 521 restorations.  I'm sure he will have a better price than Classic industries and he's in Colorado like yourself.

http://www.521restorations.com/index.pl?page=home

News to me. Thx Lennard

You both are welcome.  That's the beauty of this forum, share knowledge and helping each other out.

[Nacho-RT74]

Is great how the assembly plant saved some $$$ on paint making vinyl tops cars using just primer on roofs huh!!??

[rikubot]

Is great how the assembly plant saved some $$$ on paint making vinyl tops cars using just primer on roofs huh!!??

lol I hate it so bad. My entire top was moist when I peeled it off, and it hasn't rained in days. I'm currently talking to a guy who can supposedly get me a roof skin and both quarters shipped for $1570. I'm supposed to talk to a shop later this week. Hopefully if me and a buddy do all the demo I can afford to have the shop put them on...

[Nacho-RT74]

you have at least those repros available... we don't. Mine is being patched... and vinyl top will be reinstalled. I love vinyl top

[randy73]

Is great how the assembly plant saved some $$$ on paint making vinyl tops cars using just primer on roofs huh!!??

My 73 had paint underneath the vinyl.

[alfaitalia]

Not that I want a vinyl roof anyway...but that's about a good a reason to avoid them as I would need. I used to own a 1974 Ford Capri (UK model Ford ..if you don't know, goggle it!)....the roof went the same way (not quite as bad tbh) .....even with proper paint.

[Kern Dog]

Is great how the assembly plant saved some $$$ on paint making vinyl tops cars using just primer on roofs huh!!??

My 73 had paint underneath the vinyl.

Same here with my 1970.