Hard top trim removal

[andy2stags]

Hi all,

I am in the process of refurbishing my hard top before it dissolves into red rust.
Can anyone advise me how to remove the stainless steel trims attached to the hard top, are there any easy ways/tools that will help

Many thanks
Andy

[V Mad]

I had no problems removing the trim, careflly levering with a screwdriver/blade etc. But fitting some of them back was a problem. The trim around the top was very hard to press on, and even though I used a wooden block to spread the load, some of the trim was dented slightly. You probably need to use some hard rubber pad to prevent this.

[AlanD]

Hi Andy,

i refurbed mine with the help of julian. The trim is easy to get off. i started with the rear window, slide a stanley knife under the seal and cut it off, from the outside, you will need a new seal anyway. Then you can just pull it out of the trim. unscrew the bottom section first though.
the side trim on the rain channel just clips on so pull it from the bottom edge, the small joint cover is the same. The front trim should be held on with small black clips, i doubt it is though, cut the clips at the back and pull it off.
All the bottom trim should be held on with rivits, they should slide off, careful not to bend them, if they wont budge then the rivits need cutting from the back, turn the top over and you will see them.
The windows are held in place with small screws, undo the catch from the hardtop, 2 screws, then open the windows and you will see the screws that secure the window to the hardtop.
if you are totaly refurbing then Aldridge trimming are the people for a new head lining. Dont forget to wax inject it after painting, especially the front edge, i have run a small amount of sealer round all the trim after fitting to help with keeping the water out.

Hope this helps and i'm sure someone else will be along to offer more advice

Alan

[AlanD]

as Chris has said, getting it back on without dents is a problem, i have a couple in my trim too on the rain channel

[andy2stags]

Thanks guys

All trim succesfully removed.
Lots of surface rust but thankfully nothing too serious.Clips were rusted away.
The rubber seals were perished.
Do any of the suppliers do a refurbishment kit?

Andy.

[AlanD]

i bought from different suppliers to be honest, Aldridge trimming for the head lining, LD parts for the rivits, cant remember where else. The seal for the window, you cant get anymore but you can use the door seal i think, i was lucky and mine cleaned up ok.

Alan

[Duncan Skye]

Hi Andy,

I've just done my Hardtop and what Alan says above is spot on.

When it came to refitting the stainless trim covering strips that lie over the back window seal, I really had some difficulty. I was doing this job single-handed and my heart sank when I noticed the method of fixing is different from the front windscreen. Difficult as that job was, the 'hook' method used on that screen didn't work for me. Thin string wetted with soapy liquid wasn't much better as the severe angle that the lip had to negotiate led to tears on the sharp edge of the stainless trim. And whilst all this was going on, the trim would want to pop out somewhere else. However I did find an easier method that worked first time I tried it.

Starting with the lower trim, get a piece of thick chord, perhaps about the thickness of a round bootlace or slightly thicker, wet it with soapy water and insert it under the lip on the rubber seal, all the way along. This raises the lip enough for the trim strip to be slipped on, helped slightly with a small screwdriver where necessary. Tap into place and when you're happy its located, hold the trim in place and draw the string out of the channel from behind in the direction of the glass area.

Tap into place (just to be sure it wants to stay there) and repeat the exercise with the upper bent strips. Slip the upper centre joint cover over one of the ends and slide it along once both strips are in place. Don't forget the two screws at the bottom corners.

Perhaps this string method is the way this job should be done anyway but as I hadn't read of it anywhere and was doing this single-handed, I thought I'd mention it in case it would be of use to you.

With best wishes,
Duncan, Skye

[AlanD]

Again thanks Duncan, you have answered a problem i have had, the rear trim, i tried the string, as you have said, now i know it should have been cord not string, it was too thin.

Again thanks for the help
Alan

[Duncan Skye]

Again thanks Duncan, you have answered a problem i have had, the rear trim, i tried the string, as you have said, now i know it should have been cord not string, it was too thin.

Again thanks for the help
Alan

Yes, anything thick enough to make that lip of rubber stand up a bit - just enough to enable the trim to slide under it.

Good luck with it.

Duncan

[AlanD]

Thanks, i think i need a new seal too Duncan, i have a few nicks in mine now, and i want to fix the rear window element as you have anyway. Could i ask where did you get your seal from?

Alan

[Duncan Skye]

Thanks, i think i need a new seal too Duncan, i have a few nicks in mine now, and i want to fix the rear window element as you have anyway. Could i ask where did you get your seal from?

Alan

Aah. I'm afraid I didn't buy it from a dealer - It came with the hardtop I had bought over a year ago. It looked like the seal had been changed the last time the hardtop got the 'once over' and as it had retained its flexibility, I decided to reuse it. Thus far I haven't put the garden hose on it for a test, but am hopeful I might have got away with it.

If I haven't, then the Volvo owners club speak quite highly of Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=61059 as Comma's Seek 'N Seal is no longer in production.

I hope that's of some help.

Duncan

[AlanD]

Thanks Duncan, i will have a look at the link.

Regards

Alan

[davidhelencole]

I have been about to get around to this job for ages.I have a complete repaired and sprayed shell.I wish a supplier would decide to do a whole re trim kit....everything you need anybody know of one ?

[Duncan Skye]

I have been about to get around to this job for ages.I have a complete repaired and sprayed shell.I wish a supplier would decide to do a whole re trim kit....everything you need anybody know of one ?

Hi David,

I'm afraid I don't know of anyone who supplies complete kits. I just went through the listings in Rimmers' catalogue for the bits I needed. If you've managed to salvage the neoprene (soft foam rubber) seals, you may wish to retain them for the rebuild, for as far as I know, the original spec isn't available any more. When you order them, what you get instead is a harder non-aereated seal. I haven't fitted my hardtop yet so can't speak for them but many others will have, so the later type of seal must have some merit.

Just being carmudgeonly.

Duncan, Skye.

[andy2stags]

I have now got the hardtop back from the paint shop.Now the fun starts putting the trim back on.
Firstly can anyone tell me if it matters which way round the plastic front trim clips go.
Also i am having trouble fitting the 2xrubber seals.Is there a knack to it?Ihave tried sliding it in but no joy.Has anyone used a tool of some description to do this?

Thanks

Andy.