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Hardtop Restoration 101
- Thread starter tony barnhill
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tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Re: Hardtop Restoration 101 - Interim Step
When the white epoxy primer dried & was sanded, a few spots showed up that can't be solved with buildable primer. So, we've touched them up with body filler. When they're sanded and the top is smooth, we'll start the final coat of primer.
When the white epoxy primer dried & was sanded, a few spots showed up that can't be solved with buildable primer. So, we've touched them up with body filler. When they're sanded and the top is smooth, we'll start the final coat of primer.
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tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Re: Hardtop Restoration 101 - Interim Step
Yep, most of it goes on the floor....we're trying not to add any weight to the old top...got the fiberglass as smooth as was possible with repairs & a new layer of glass....
But, you know him, Jack, perfection!
Yep, most of it goes on the floor....we're trying not to add any weight to the old top...got the fiberglass as smooth as was possible with repairs & a new layer of glass....
But, you know him, Jack, perfection!
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Re: Hardtop Restoration 101 - Interim Step
They're kinda thin to start with, tend to change shape over time. I was "semi-picky" with the one here. Got all the ugly parts mended and sealed it with epoxy primer then topcoat. Perfection is too elusive. :wink:
They're kinda thin to start with, tend to change shape over time. I was "semi-picky" with the one here. Got all the ugly parts mended and sealed it with epoxy primer then topcoat. Perfection is too elusive. :wink:
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tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Re: Hardtop Restoration 101 - Interim Step
& this one's gonna be put on a top stand & covered until I come up with a project to put it on!DrEntropy said:
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tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Re: Hardtop Restoration 101 - Interim Step
Holidays slowed things a little; but, here's a photo of the final sanding before tan buildable primer is applied. You can scroll up to my last photo to compare it to this one to see how much body filler hit the floor when they did this last sanding.
Next they'll clean the underside & spray the entire top - outside & inside with the tan buildable primer. Then, they'll spray the final color on the inside, tape it off & finish the outside.
Holidays slowed things a little; but, here's a photo of the final sanding before tan buildable primer is applied. You can scroll up to my last photo to compare it to this one to see how much body filler hit the floor when they did this last sanding.
Next they'll clean the underside & spray the entire top - outside & inside with the tan buildable primer. Then, they'll spray the final color on the inside, tape it off & finish the outside.
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tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Re: Hardtop Restoration 101 - Interim Step
So, the we're reaching the final stage...in the 1st 2 photos below, the buildable primer has been sprayed on the top - both outside & inside.....next, we'll make any repairs to the inside & retexture it for paint.
At the same time, we'll be sanding the outside to see if it's perfectly smooth...if any low or high spots show up, we'll work them out with another coat of buildable primer.
And, just for the heck of it, the last 2 photos show the other cars in the bodyshop (besides mine)....both have been sandblasted and are primed with white epoxy primer.
So, the we're reaching the final stage...in the 1st 2 photos below, the buildable primer has been sprayed on the top - both outside & inside.....next, we'll make any repairs to the inside & retexture it for paint.
At the same time, we'll be sanding the outside to see if it's perfectly smooth...if any low or high spots show up, we'll work them out with another coat of buildable primer.
And, just for the heck of it, the last 2 photos show the other cars in the bodyshop (besides mine)....both have been sandblasted and are primed with white epoxy primer.
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OP
tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Re: Hardtop Restoration 101 - Interim Step
GTO
GTO
Re: Hardtop Restoration 101 - Interim Step
Hello all! Im new to the forum and have purchased a factory hardtop. It is in need of repairs! The major focus is where the header rail retainer attaches to the top has separated. Inner from outer. Looks like the PO had busted the rivots out destorting the holes. Can anyone advise how these fit back together? I also have to duplicate the area from the drivers latch due to the passenger side being completly broken out. Thanks in advance for all help.
Hello all! Im new to the forum and have purchased a factory hardtop. It is in need of repairs! The major focus is where the header rail retainer attaches to the top has separated. Inner from outer. Looks like the PO had busted the rivots out destorting the holes. Can anyone advise how these fit back together? I also have to duplicate the area from the drivers latch due to the passenger side being completly broken out. Thanks in advance for all help.
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Re: Hardtop Restoration 101 - Interim Step
Hoo-boy!
First off, welcome to the party!
You've dug up an old thread that will no doubt trigger some memories here. The instigator of this thread was our own Tony, who died a few years ago.
If you'll post a picture or two of the area of concern, I'm sure you'll get some responses.
Mickey
Hoo-boy!
First off, welcome to the party!
You've dug up an old thread that will no doubt trigger some memories here. The instigator of this thread was our own Tony, who died a few years ago.
If you'll post a picture or two of the area of concern, I'm sure you'll get some responses.
Mickey
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Hmmm.... Looks like a lot of "creative engineering" is called for there. Besides cleaning up the rust and reinforcing the metal bar and clamp fixings, plenty of fiberglassing to do as well.
Any thoughts of finding another top?
Any thoughts of finding another top?
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Yikes!
GIANT rats?!?!
That's gonna need some TLC. I will suggest looking into Marson tools for threaded inserts to 'fix' the anchor points. As to the missing 'glas pieces, I'd fab the anchor points first then use some vis-queen or other heavy plastic and mold releasing agent to approximate the missing sections with fibreglas rather than trying to bond it to the main liner immediately. That way you can cut/shape/fit the replacement bits to more closely mimic the correct shapes and drill the holes THEN bond it all together.
https://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MARSON-Plier-Style-Setting-Tool-5JK71?Pid=search
GIANT rats?!?!
That's gonna need some TLC. I will suggest looking into Marson tools for threaded inserts to 'fix' the anchor points. As to the missing 'glas pieces, I'd fab the anchor points first then use some vis-queen or other heavy plastic and mold releasing agent to approximate the missing sections with fibreglas rather than trying to bond it to the main liner immediately. That way you can cut/shape/fit the replacement bits to more closely mimic the correct shapes and drill the holes THEN bond it all together.
https://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MARSON-Plier-Style-Setting-Tool-5JK71?Pid=search
