rhgiesen
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- Reaction score
- 2
- Thunderbird Year
- 2003
Driving down the road and heard the sound of air behind me. Sadly, the top was up. The beginning of the end of my soft top had started. Small tears along the glass in the fabric.
This is how I have repaired 2 other convertibles without replacing the top. The repair done right will last as long as the main section of the top.
Note: do not do this repair on the outside of the top. Read the entire post. Urethane adhesives are toxic. Use gloves and ensure excellent ventilation.
Your work can not be undone so be slow and intentional.
Look around the edges of the glass for signs of dry rot or small cut.
If you see either you need to add a canvas patch asap.
Heavy cotton canvas in 20in x 5in strips
3m Auto Glass Urethane 10.5 oz part Nbr: 08693 wide putty knife
Caulk gun.
Gloves.
You will repair on the inside of the glass.
The top will be closed and locked in place.
This is easier if you move the headliner out of the way and wrap the belt with wax paper
Place painters masking tape from a 1/4 inch above the edge of the glass and cover the closest heater lines.
Spread a thin layer covering the full length of the strip. Leave 1/8 inch at the upper and lower edge of the strip with no adhesive.
Stick the strip starting 1 inch outside of the left side of the glass. And set 1/8in above the existing cloth on the glass.
Gently press the canvas into place. Having a person doing the same on the outside helps get a good seal.
The next strip of canvas should overlap the previous by 1/8 inch. Continue.
I typically go around the entire glass. If one area failed the rest will also.
Let the car set for 24 hours
After a week use an xacto knife and flexible ruler to remove excess cloth on the window.
If the tear is big get a few dent pulling suction cups , attach to the glass and gently brace the window with 2x4s cut to support the suction cups from the floor (window wedgie).
Before you start:
Only use 100% cotton heavy canvas.
Test lay a piece on normal glass make sure you are happy with the look and process. If you are using any other color than black canvas, look for bleed through. Do not use silicon products and always test. Once you lay it down you can not remove. Or clean off. There may be a thick clear or colored urethane FLEXIBLE adhesive to use. I have repaired a fox body Mustang, Pontiac solstice and a 03 Tbird. The rear windows have never failed or leaked again.
If urethane get on the glass, wait a week and scrape it off with a single edge razor scraper.
Plan on 2-3 hours so you do not become rushed
This is how I have repaired 2 other convertibles without replacing the top. The repair done right will last as long as the main section of the top.
Note: do not do this repair on the outside of the top. Read the entire post. Urethane adhesives are toxic. Use gloves and ensure excellent ventilation.
Your work can not be undone so be slow and intentional.
Look around the edges of the glass for signs of dry rot or small cut.
If you see either you need to add a canvas patch asap.
Heavy cotton canvas in 20in x 5in strips
3m Auto Glass Urethane 10.5 oz part Nbr: 08693 wide putty knife
Caulk gun.
Gloves.
You will repair on the inside of the glass.
The top will be closed and locked in place.
This is easier if you move the headliner out of the way and wrap the belt with wax paper
Place painters masking tape from a 1/4 inch above the edge of the glass and cover the closest heater lines.
Spread a thin layer covering the full length of the strip. Leave 1/8 inch at the upper and lower edge of the strip with no adhesive.
Stick the strip starting 1 inch outside of the left side of the glass. And set 1/8in above the existing cloth on the glass.
Gently press the canvas into place. Having a person doing the same on the outside helps get a good seal.
The next strip of canvas should overlap the previous by 1/8 inch. Continue.
I typically go around the entire glass. If one area failed the rest will also.
Let the car set for 24 hours
After a week use an xacto knife and flexible ruler to remove excess cloth on the window.
If the tear is big get a few dent pulling suction cups , attach to the glass and gently brace the window with 2x4s cut to support the suction cups from the floor (window wedgie).
Before you start:
Only use 100% cotton heavy canvas.
Test lay a piece on normal glass make sure you are happy with the look and process. If you are using any other color than black canvas, look for bleed through. Do not use silicon products and always test. Once you lay it down you can not remove. Or clean off. There may be a thick clear or colored urethane FLEXIBLE adhesive to use. I have repaired a fox body Mustang, Pontiac solstice and a 03 Tbird. The rear windows have never failed or leaked again.
If urethane get on the glass, wait a week and scrape it off with a single edge razor scraper.
Plan on 2-3 hours so you do not become rushed
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