Hi,
I'm planning on tackeling the install of my new convertible top.
I do hear it's a real pain in the neck, but with all my mutiple projects going on, I can't really afford to pay my interrior guy to do it right now
I have a factory top manual, but I'd like to get some advice from people with experience!
Can anyone tell me what to look out for, what tools I need, how long I can expect it to take, if I should even try to do it myself???

Thanks!!
-alfie

In some very early posts, several people including myself. explained the install of convertable tops and vinyl roofs.

Neither are work for amatuers.. NOTHING looks worse than a cobbled, bad install convertable top!!

Save your money and have it done correctly. It might save you in the long run as tops aren't cheap and one mistake can ruin a perfectly good top..

On older cars you will find that you will need pads, tack strip, wires and possibly new boot..

Bob,
Can you direct me to the thread?
I tried searching before I posted, but couldn't find anything.

It sounds like you don't recommend me tackeling this project on my own?

My interrior guy wants $400 to put on my top. Assuming $50/hour thats an 8 hour job. Does that sound about right?

BTW, I've got the tacking strips, pads, wires and my well liner is ok....

-alfie

You didn't say what kind of car you are working on.

If it's a floating bow system, it is very difficult for someone who hasn't worked on one. The first thing you will need is a good air stapler. Then you must find out where the main bow is located as this dictates where every thing else is located.

Troy
__________________
If you don't make mistakes. your not doing anything.

69 ss rs full custom Camaro 98 ISCA Grand cChampion
69 ss rs bb Camaro wifes driver
66 Elcamino 350/all dz parts,ac,windows,loaded,my driver
69 ss Chevelle bb conv.fresh frame off
26 T sedan street rod

The car is a '64 caddy.
What's a "floating bow"?
Thanks!

A floating bow is when the top fastens to a bow under the rear deck and is not fastened to the sheet metal of the car, only the top frame. Like a 69 chevelle.

I've never done a 64 cad. so I don't know how they are mounted.

Troy

__________________
If you don't make mistakes. your not doing anything.

69 ss rs full custom Camaro 98 ISCA Grand cChampion
69 ss rs bb Camaro wifes driver
66 Elcamino 350/all dz parts,ac,windows,loaded,my driver
69 ss Chevelle bb conv.fresh frame off
26 T sedan street rod

Dont know about that particular car, but GM used a scissor-type top mechanism around the 60s and those things are a PAIN. I still do custom convertible tops, but I stopped installing replacement tops a couple years ago. Did my last corvette with the floating bows like troy-curt explained and that was it. Ive been very fortunate to keep a large backlog of custom interior work, so I dont even bother with them anymore. They make you wonder sometimes why they were engineered so complicated.

They make me cuss and throw my tools...

I did my own top on my 62 Pontiac. I had never done one before, or since for that matter. I followed the instructions in the manual and it worked out well. Top has been on for 12 years and still looks good.

Maybe, I just got lucky.

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Home Handyman Forum I Shade Tree Mechanic Forum

My only recomendation is to avoid getting the top too tight. Its a natural inclination at first because you don't want to have any wrinkles. The vinyl material does not stretch very much and between the three tops that I've worked on I've found that just keeping the top up, but not latched is usually just the right amount of slack.

When I got ready to have mine done I went to several shops that I usually trade out with, they just laughed, said no way. So I studied that thing from every direction, and asked some of them for advice. I rigged a jeg on the bench, 6 hours later it was done. They said it would take days. Now they send them to me. I get $800.00-$1,000.00 to do one and I got faster after the first one.

Troy

__________________
If you don't make mistakes. your not doing anything.

69 SS/RS full custom Camaro 98 ISCA Grand Champion
69 SS/RS BB Camaro wifes driver
66 Elcamino 350/all dz parts,ac,windows,loaded,my driver
69 SS Chevelle BB conv.fresh frame off
26 T sedan street rod

Ok,
Doesn't sound at all too bad.
If I was to go out and purchase an air-stapler, what should I look for?
What kind of staples would I need?
Seems like an air-stapler would come in handy for a lot of things other than just upholstry.... Things around the house... That's all the justification I need to get one
When I actually get down to it (I expect about 2 weeks from this weekend) I'll read the manual I have thoroughly and just take my time.

Since the car has a top on now, should I set up all the top adjustments before I take the top off? Or should I do that with the top on?
Those adjustments really make a difference in how the top closes, so I want the car to be correctly configured when I put the new top on, right?
I've also heard to let the new top sit out in the sun for a day or two, to get it streached out. Does that sound reasonable?
Thanks again
-alfie

If it looks alright now I wouldn't change anything. You really need to pay attention to how the old top comes off. Of course if you have a manual, you'll probably be alright. If you need adjustments to the frame work, do it after you remove the old top. And that is a good time to refinish the frame work, and check all the pivot points for wear. Yeh, I like to lay them out in the sun, helps get the fold creases out.

The stapler should be able to handle up to 1 1/4 x 1/4 staples.

Troy

__________________
If you don't make mistakes. your not doing anything.

69 SS/RS full custom Camaro 98 ISCA Grand Champion
69 SS/RS BB Camaro wifes driver
66 Elcamino 350/all dz parts,ac,windows,loaded,my driver
69 SS Chevelle BB conv.fresh frame off
26 T sedan street rod

Before doing anything, check the rear bow height. Next, remove the old top, but just cut the top off at the rear leaving the rear curtain in place. You'll need it to provide tension on the rear bow to set the bow height when replacing the pads. Replace your top pads next, one side at a time. Next, replace the curtain, then install the top. Your 64's rear tacking bars should be bolted in, it's the mid 70's full size GM cars that had the scissor tops. BTW, if you mess up the new top, you haven't saved $400 in labor, you've wasted a coupla hundred on a ruined top. Good luck.

Also if you do decide to do this get Galvanized or Stainless staples with diversified points

Thanks for all the advice!
Trim Man...
Where do I measure the bow from? Am I just trying to find the height of the bow relative to the rest of the top frame?
Thanks
-alfie