Removing The Vinyl Top

[Khanine]

Has Any One Successfully Removed The Vinyl Top?
How Does It Look Afterwards?
What Are The Step I Need To Take?
Does It Look Like The Factory Hardtop?

Im Thinking About Removing The Top!

 

[supercoupe5]

i have taken the top off a car in the past although it was not a buick. just pealed the old top off. after the top is off you have to do a bunch of sanding to get all of the glue off the roof. then it is just normal body work to fill and smoth all the imperfections. then paint. the one i did i painted 2 tone and left the chrome trim on the car. i think it looked really sweet. dave

 

[Khanine]

u got pics?

 

[Instro84]

had the one on my 84 off a few years, ago and there was some pitting on so we sanded it down an treated it repainted, and put a new top on. i think they look better with add to that sleeper look.

 

[Khanine]

thanks!


do you have pictures?

 

[turbofish38]

PITA!! You will probally find some rust hiding under there. Heres a quick rundown.
Remove 1/4 windows. BTW you need a set from a non vinyl car.
Remove the trim moldings.BTW you need a set of B-pillar moldings from a non vinyl car.
Remove the vinyl top.
Remove the back window.
Grind all the rivets flush.
Sand all of the glue off and repair any rust damage.
Replace the rear body trim panel between the rear window and trunk lid.
Add some rivets that hold the rear window reveal moldings on.
Prep and paint the roof and effected areas.
Install the back window and 1/4 glass.

Be warned. No matter what the condition of the car you will find rust hiding there. Look closely in the back window area where the vinyl tucked into the channel.

 

[supercoupe5]

i do not have pics of it and i do not talk to the guy anymore that owns the car to get any either. sorry. dave

 

[joemama]

You will also need the filler between the trunk and back window from a non landau car. I have a Monte that I'm deciding whether or not to do this as well. A friend of mine has a cutlass that had a landau top and it looks like it never had one at all now. The car needs to be mudded where the roof meets the quarter. Not sure why GM did not finish the bodies of the cars which received the tops. I suppose it saved them some $$$.

 

[StlRegal]

Im currently doing some work to my regal that had a vinyl top. I know i need new quarter windows, but can these wait until after the car is painted. Also can I add the chrome trim later to the rear window, or do I have to do it now.
If so is there a place i can order them off the net with the clips?

 

[turbofish38]

You can use the vinyl 1/4 windows. The only difference is in the rubber molding around the edge. Vinyl version is thinner. The rivets that hold the window molding clips on need to be installed when the glass is out. They fit inside the channel. Between the glass and the body.

 

[StlRegal]

You can use the vinyl 1/4 windows. The only difference is in the rubber molding around the edge. Vinyl version is thinner. The rivets that hold the window molding clips on need to be installed when the glass is out. They fit inside the channel. Between the glass and the body.

Thanks, so i can fill the holes where the plastic molding used to fit around the back window and just find some clips from an non vinyl and install them later? I really just want to know if i can do it later, because i dont want to have to do anybody work to it again.