Project '69 Gets a New Top! - Vinyl Top Install **UPDATED**

[bill440rt]

More progress continues on the '69, the vinyl top went on tonite. Well, almost done.
I ran across this article on this 'site with a link to Moparts:

http://www.moparts.com/Tech/Archive/misc/4.html

Just6T9 also sent me this link from an old Mopar Muscle article: (THANKS, Chris!!!!!)

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/howto/25738_horse_skinning/

The Moparts link came in very handy, but both had some really good tips. The top was almost done, then I ran out of glue!! The article said you needed three cans of glue. My A$$, I needed FOUR!!!!      I ran out at the very end, I only need to glue down the outer edges, & the front A-pillars. Then, I can trim off the rest of the excess. 

The last time I installed a top was about 10 years ago on my '70, but it wasn't that hard to get back into it. It just took some careful preparing & measuring. Special THANKS to Kevin69RTvert who was on board with an extra set of hands & eyes to help out. We worked one side at a time, up to each seam. Then, we did each outer edge of the roof, then the sail panels. Then, no more glue!!   

My supplier had to order me the glue, he had none in stock. We used 3M's Super Trim Adhesive in a spray can, it's designed for vinyl tops. I should have another by Monday, then I can finish it off. I'll post more pics of the car unmasked with the new top completed. Good thing it's only the edges & A-pillars. It sure looks cool with the Sublime!!
You can't see them in these pics, but the door handles, locks, & hardware are also installed.

[bill440rt]

A few more shots, & one at the front.

Once the top is done, I'll probably send it out to get the headliner installed. They are a complete pain, if my memory serves me correctly. I'm not sure I want to do that part.

[71ChallengeHer]

That looks really good. Great job. I would have never tried to install a vinyl top. I took a couple off.

[Back N Black]

Great job Bill, how do you get it to form around the sailpanels and not have wrinkles?

[bill440rt]

Those sailpanels are the hardest part. The use of a heat gun & some relief cuts (careful!!!), & a couple shots of more glue here & there make a big difference. You need to work a little at a time. A little more heat, a little more stretching. Once it's tucked down into the window channel & you cut off the excess, it falls nicely into place from the heating & stretching from before.
This is only the 2nd top I've put on. Chargers are very hard (I think), due to the sail panels. A Road Runner, Super Bee, or Challenger would be much easier. I think... 

[RJS]

Bill with all the work you've performed on your car's I'm sure you can do a headliner!!!

[chargercraig]

      very nice

[tan top]

  sublime with a black top awesome combination......great stuff

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Looks great Bill!  make sure you use extra glue around the lower sections of the inner sailpanels........my vinyl is coming unglued in that area....

[bill440rt]

I finally got that last can of glue I was waiting for, & finished the top up last night. I was able to correctly trim it, & finally unmask it. What a difference!!
Here are some pics of the finished product.

[bill440rt]

Two more shots from the front.
And, here's a teaser of the work in progress as under the hood comes together.

Next will probably be the headliner installation. Not sure if my cajone's are big enough to tackle that one, I gotta do some more research. Again, last one I did was 10 years ago, & it was made from NOS fabric which has like ZERO stretchabilty. The repros seem to be much more pliable.
And then...   WHEELS!!! 

[71ChallengeHer]

Wow, that looks great !

[Shakey]

Well done Bill.

When you are ready to install the trim, can you please document what stainless steel hardware you use, where you got them and some photos as well - please!

I'd fully expect you to add to your existing thread here but if you could also add the information to this thread http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,23879.0.html it would be much appreciated.   

[Ghoste]

That looks great Bill.  These cars just look so perfect with a vinyl roof to set them off (IMO anyway).

[resq302]

Damn Bill.  You certainly have the patience to be doing that.  Me, I would send it out and have someone do that kind of grunt work for me.  Turned out great!

[Charger-Bodie]

that is really looking good there Bill!! gonna be a great car when youre done! ohh!! its gonna have white interior too that thing is gonna be sharp!!

[chargercraig]

WOW, Thats what I say everytime I look at your car Bill   

[68mmcharger]

Bill - On my 68 the factory used staples to hold the top down along the front at the corners of the windshield. Did you try and duplicate them or just use glue?

Kevin

[bill440rt]

No Kevin. I just used glue up front. That 3M Super Trim adhesive is strong stuff. Plus, I figured the front windshield molding clips that are screwed in would help some. Once the windshield is in place, I don't think the top is going anywhere.

Good Luck!