2004 T-Bird mylar strip looks bad | Ford Thunderbird forum club group 1955-2005 models
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2004 T-Bird mylar strip looks bad

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave C
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Wife says mylar tape 'protection' looks awful!

RE: My new 2004 Black 'Bird ...

She likes the car with hardtop on .... begrudges the time (already) I take to 'play with it' ..... thinks Ford designers are idiots at this prescribed method of protecting the paint on the rear deck.


🙁


Quickdraw ... if you read this ... that VIN on my 'Bird is

1FAHP60A04Y 111882 for info on order & build date.

Thanks!

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 
....our 'Bird is in it's second winter....meaning the top is on.....I don't worry about top protection methods and all the stress it seems to produce...We have a yellow one....our friend has a black one....he is of the same mind....the chaffing is negligable.....a little wax and it looks fine....We just make sure all the surfaces are super clean before putting the top on.....securing the front first then cinching down the back seems to make for a secure fit...... 😀
 
Mylar Strips

jordsdad said:
that seems to be a big problem. does the hardtop scratch the surface of the rear deck on every t-bird??? what have you done to fix it???

That is my understanding. Looking at the design, scratching with top installed would seem to be inevitable IMHO ... Mine only has about 300 miles on it and I removed the HT to let the EXTREMELY WET convertible top stretch & dry out. No scratches so far. I have ordered the chrome rear deck strip kit but it has not come in yet.

I have read others owners who commented that you should still use the mylar strips with the chrome ones 'for extra safty'. Would seem to defeat the purpose of spending the extra $$$ and would still look 'ugly', according to my wife.
 
Mylar Strips

00mustng said:
....our 'Bird is in it's second winter....meaning the top is on.....I don't worry about top protection methods and all the stress it seems to produce...We have a yellow one....our friend has a black one....he is of the same mind....the chaffing is negligable.....a little wax and it looks fine....We just make sure all the surfaces are super clean before putting the top on.....securing the front first then cinching down the back seems to make for a secure fit...... 😀

Thanks for the info - makes me feel a bit better. Think I will install the chrome strips (looks better with top removed anyway) and leave the other three sets of the mylar strips in the 'kit'.
 
I don't like the looks of the tape either. The first tape looked dirty around the edges. The dealer put on the newer version of the tape, and it's coming up on one of the corners already. And that's with the hard-top on!
At 6,000 miles every 18 months, that tape will be on a long time (lasts 30,000 miles right??).
 
Mylar Strip

I have a 2004 T-Bird with 2200 miles on it. Presently, I have the mylar strip that the dealer installed. It really looks bad, but did stop the noise. I didn't know that a chrome strip was available??? Where did you buy it and how much was it??? Thanks...Larry
 
I've had a Hardtop noise that the dealer corrected with a mylar strip that stopped the noise, but looks like s__t! Has anyone found a better solution than mine. The dealer installed the strip and wants me to replace it everytime the top comes off. This is really a stupid fix...Expesive, time consuming and looks bad! Help needed please!!! Thanks...Larry
 
Larry:
I agree the solution is stupid, but we had fought that with Ford since 2002.
I had worked extensively with a co. in MA to come up with a stainless steel polished strip that I know over 400 have sold so far, and almost all buyers are completely satisfied. A recent member here, Dave C, just orderd his and he may comment when he gets them on.
It's a three piece set and mine covered the scratched area 100%. Many claim 'no more rattles or squeeks'.
They dress the area up when the hardtop is off. You can leave them on. You do not need the Ford strips. Or they can be removed if you don't like them.
I believe if you do a search on Hard top problems, you'll find more info on this site.
Check out http://www.qaausa.com/lincolnmercuryford.ivnu#tbird just below my TBird pictures and the text, you'll see the ebay store icon for ordering.
Let us know how you make out.
George
 
Hello George: Thanks alot for the info on the hardtop problem. I was really hoping someone came up with a better solution than ford. Does the stainless steel strip scratch or the shine rub off from the top wearing on it? How does it adhere to the car itself? Thanks...Larry
 
Larry:
The stainless strip is a highly polished material. Just like a mirror. This surface comes protected with a white overlay that just peels off when your ready. I don't believe it not will scratch, short of rubbing a scouring pad on it.
It has a very strong 3m adhsive backing. Best applied in 60 degree or better temperature. You can get it off with fishing line and some heat if you had to.
No one has complained yet about the hardtop rubbing on it. I put my hardtop on, I believe back in August, to do a test on the hardtop wear issue. I now have 2000+ miles that way, but the car sits in hibernation until probably March. I truly do not expect any rubbing but will report back at that time either way.
On a final note, it's just like anything else. If you clean both surfaces prior to putting the hard top on, it probably will not scratch. If you feel that you may like the look but want to protect it as well; Then buy the strip and use the Ford strips you have as insurance.

Look at your car with the soft top down and hardtop off. It appears, to me anyway, that it looks unfinished around that belt line. The stainless beltline gives it that finished look, as you can see in those pictures of my car on the QAA web site. Just my opinion.
Good luck
 
Larry:
Let us know how you make out. Will you be buying the strips?
 
Where do you get the mylar strips?

I bought my Tbird used last month. So far I have not had the hardtop off. As far as I know there are no mylar strips installed. Were do I get them?

Ed
 
Larry: Sounds like you now have the stainless strips ordered. Before putting them on, just be sure the edges are smooth, so you do not snag your wash rags. Some have needed a very light (fine) sanding.

Sophia, No, you do not have to put the mylar over the stainless strips. In the spring, when I remove my hardtop, I will post info. By then I will have in excess of 2000 miles with stainless strip on and hardtop on top of it. I will post plus/minus results - Probably in the April period

CEw, The mylar are available from Ford dealers, but many are unhappy with them because they hang outside the hardtop area. Personally, I like the stainless strips. Look like chrome and are a permenant fix. Also when the top is down, it gives a finished look to the car
 
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