Topic: Vinyl Top Trim Question

[imbett]

 I require help on vinyl top  My car has a small 1/4 inch trim between the top and the drip rail I need all info on
  1  does it go on before or after drip rail mouldings
  2  What type of tool or make do I need and they look like small pop rivets are needed ??
  thanks  JOHN

[J_Speegle]

I require help on vinyl top  My car has a small 1/4 inch trim between the top and the drip rail I need all info on
  1  does it go on before or after drip rail mouldings

I would add the drip rail moldings after. Think of it this way- you get the top attached to the roof, pull and push the top into the drip rail depression and then, since all of the material needed is in place, you can trim the excess and install the drip moldings. Done the other way there is too great of a chance that you would run short of material

 

2  What type of tool or make do I need and they look like small pop rivets are needed ??

Don't know of any special tool - I've used a nylon window spoon or bar to push/tuck the top into corners like around the front or rear window depression. Us it more often for getting the head liner in place or helping weather strip around the windows in place - especially helping in the corners


Basically your looking for a blunt tool that can push the top material into the drip rail depression without tearing the material till the contact cement grabs. A couple radiused paint sticks tapped together would work in a pinch

The use of rivets to hold a strip in the gutter of the drip rail started in Oct of 1967 (early 68 production) and used 1/8" rivets to attach the strip

[imbett]

HI  I sure enjoy your help I am most concerned with getting the POP RIVET GUN into the small area and not marking vinyl   

[imbett]

I have a MARTIREPORT and it shows a production date of MAR 26 NOT AND EARLY DATE but it has it  JOHN

[J_Speegle]

HI  I sure enjoy your help I am most concerned with getting the POP RIVET GUN into the small area and not marking vinyl   

A concern but there are many than have small profile heads and if you use it horizontally with the drip rail they will fit. With some caution and time you can do it

I have a MARTIREPORT and it shows a production date of MAR 26 NOT AND EARLY DATE but it has it  JOHN

Not sure what this reference is to unless its the retaining strip. If so them a Mar 26th day would be almost 6 months after they started this practice according to Ford

[imbett]

I should never assume but   :I did as I read that as only early production SORRY but I sure like the help  JOHN

[J_Speegle]

I should never assume but   :I did as I read that as only early production SORRY but I sure like the help  JOHN

No problem - I often read through posts too quickly and sometimes miss important words

Glad to help

[Oz390]

Pop rivets go in from the underside, not in the channel.  That way the somewhat flush head is exposed on the underside, not the compressed stud end.  The stud end is covered by sealant in the channel.

[imbett]

Hi  Well that makes sense and as long as I have had this car I never thought it would install like that   THANKS  this a great site

[imbett]

WHAT DO YOU USE AS SEALANT

[J_Speegle]

Pop rivets go in from the underside, not in the channel. ..........

Though I've seen them inserted from the bottom on fastbacks Ford's instructions and repair instructs show them being installed from the top down.

Here is a modified scan of the TSB (#1216) that illustrates the fix for earlier built car and the factory installation practice as described by Ford for the dealers, service managers and mechanics 

[J_Speegle]

WHAT DO YOU USE AS SEALANT

Only have Ford part numbers for the stuff so that is no help. If I recall correctly the stuff appeared to be a white or black silicon based material . Finished produce was very smooth and elastic

Other instructions I found in TSB article show applying masking tape along the top edge to work as a dam and provide a straight finished edge. Apply the sealer then peel back (horizontally to the drip rail) the tape before it firms up

[Oz390]

Can only say the original Vinyl roof '68's cars (one GTCS one S GT coupe) I have have them installed from below.  And that pic is a service note, for pre October '67 cars?  And not factory assembly info? Which would not even be relevant to the GTCS noted, which were built long after that...

[franklinair]

What is availability of the drip rail strip?

Neil Hoppe

[J_Speegle]

First welcome Neil to the site/forum - hope you find the information here useful in your concours related efforts

What is availability of the drip rail strip?

If you asking if they are available in reproduction form - I don't believe they are, so if needed you'll be looking for a donor car