[MARTINSR]

So now the question comes, where do I buy a top? I have heard a brand name of "Kee". Is this one on ebay going to be any different do you think? Click here

It looks like the same place you posted to get that header welt. Here is a page to their tops, same photo. Click here

$269 window and all with free shipping is a killer deal if it is the same quality. What do you think?

Brian

[DanTwoLakes]

Trying to save money on a convertible top is a bad idea. Buy a good top and avoid the hassles that come with a cheap top. I have never used an ARO top, so I don't know if they're good or not.

[MARTINSR]

By the way, I did find the header welt that was on my top, it had a piece of foam wrapped in vinyl. I am learning a lot on this top I'll tell you that! I am seriously going to be looking into getting myself a machine and trying my hand at the simply upholstery stuff.

Brian

[DanTwoLakes]

That is windlace sponge rod on the inside.

[John long]

Did you make a decision as to where to buy a quality top yet?

John L

[MARTINSR]

Yes John, Dan steered me towards an Electron top. I am just doing as I am told by the master.

Brian

[John long]

I would say you are moving forward wisely. He is the man that knows.

John L

[MARTINSR]

I got my new top today and I am VERY happy with it. This is going to be much easier with the new top, I can see that right now.

When I pulled my top off there was some black cloth tape across the front of the header. And in the GM manual it says to put tape over the front of the pads. I am assuming this is to make an even transition from bow to pads. Is this what we are talking about?

Brian

[DanTwoLakes]

That's probably a little overkill, but that will be fine. It's just to keep the top from rubbing on the metal header. You could also have glued some thin padding on to accomplish the same thing.

[MARTINSR]

That's why I ask these stupid questions, overkill is MUCH better than not doing it good enough and it ruins an other wise perfect top. Understand I am perfectly clear that I may have a wrinkle or two that I can't get out or something but to put this top on and have some mistake where it tears or has some unsightly mistake that could easily have been avoided is what I don't want. I fully understand that it likely won't be perfect.


Brian

[DanTwoLakes]

You don't give yourself enough credit, Brian. I bet it will be very, very good when you're done. You've made all the right moves, and asked all the right questions so far.

[MARTINSR]

Thanks for the support!

Brian

[John long]

I am watching this project closely. Thanks for the tutorial. If Brian keeps asking questions and Dan keeps answeringh them the rest of us will learn something.

John L

[MARTINSR]

Ok, I had this image as I am out looking over this project how I would staple the curtain to the trim stick bolt it in but leave the bolts loose, way out from the body (they are an inch and a half long or so, that is correct right?) and then staple the curtain to the rear bow pulling it tight. Then when the trim stick bolts are tightened that rear curtain would be nice and taught. Well, in reading the GM manual they are saying to be sure to tighten that trim stick completely before stapling the curtain to the rear bow "Making sure all fullness has been drawn from the curtain assembly". I can't imagine being able to pull that curtain tight enough to make me happy, does it have to be pulled as tight as I am thinking or does that curtain need some a little "flop". I am picturing a drum skin, well I'm exaggerating a little but that is kinda what I was thinking.

I don't have any other cars to look at and this top has been off for so many years I forget how it was. But for that matter the top wasn't installed very nice so I don't know if I would want to go with how it was anyway.

So after that long winded question, in a nut shell does that rear curtain want to be real taught or not?

Brian

[John long]

Brian, I am sure Dan will give you the authoritative answer but if I remember correctly that is why my buddy left the header bow up 6 or 8 inches when he stapled the curtain. When he raised the top that last 6 to,8 inches it pulled the final stretch into the curtain....I am only sharing what I think I remember and am definitely NOT the voice of experience.

John L

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