Hard Top Strip Down

[Spurs]

I want to remove glass and chrome trims from Hard Top to repaint. Just wondered if anyone could advise how these all come off, conscious of damaging the trim and increasing cost of work !.

Not touching interior, just wondered what sort of adhesive you should use to stick some back down and also if the old brown adhesive marks can be removed ?

Thanks

Martin

[Kevin Garrod]

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It's a little while since I did mine, but as I remember the zig-zags have two prongs that are retained by spring clips, one of mine snapped off during removal and although it's far from ideal the remaining prong seems sufficient.

The rest of the chrome will prise off, just do it carefully to avoid bending it, I worked a large screwdriver along the length but I daresay there is a better way.

The rear screen wasn't too bad, again take care not to break it, probably best to cut round the rubber seal after first removing the chrome bits. I managed to keep the seal intact, but ended up replacing it anyway.

(Can't help with putting it back because I paid someone else to do it!!)

[Moraystag]

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Martin

I would also like to know the best adhesive for sticking back on trim, especially the outer crome trim on the door windows. The pronged clips that were there before just dig into my new paint job on the inside of the doorsand this can only let the rust start again, will start a new post

Mike

[Guest]

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Hi Martin, the brown adhesive marks come off with cellulose thinners, obviously you don't want to get any on the paint, just dampen a cloth with it. Martin MK2.

[Spurs]

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Thanks all for responses. I will go with caution as my initial attempt nothing seemed to want to move !

As Martin suggests I will try cellulose, thought it may affect the lining but as it works will give it a go. As Mike said I would rather use adhesive to stick trim back on, has anyone done this before ? If so what did you use. Trouble when replacing the clips you do damage your fresh paint as Mike said.

Martin

[DJT]

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Spurs wrote:

Thanks all for responses. I will go with caution as my initial attempt nothing seemed to want to move !

As Martin suggests I will try cellulose, thought it may affect the lining but as it works will give it a go. As Mike said I would rather use adhesive to stick trim back on, has anyone done this before ? If so what did you use. Trouble when replacing the clips you do damage your fresh paint as Mike said.

Martin

Hi Martin,

I did my hardtop several years ago now. I used alll the correct clips, but filled the s/steel trim with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) before fitting. I then sealed them with marine-grade sealant from top and bottom to keep moisture out. Still good as new. The side rain-gutter 'hockey-stick' trims were just filled with petroleum jelly before snapping into place.

Dave

[Spurs]

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Dave,

Thanks, I did the vaseline thing with my bot trim and that seems to have worked. All trim off now at least, side trims a little bent but hould be ok.

Martin

[Moraystag]

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Dave what do you mean by rain gutter hokey stick??

Mike

[DJT]

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Moraystag wrote:

Dave what do you mean by rain gutter hokey stick??

Mike

Hi Mike,

Part numbers 811767 & 811768

Dave

[Spurs]

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Managed to get all things stripped over the weekend, patience is the key although the "Hockey Sticks" were bent a little!

Only thing I need to to do is remove the rear screen. It looks quite tricky has anyone got any tips, I want to keep original seal if I can so do not want to cut it out. Replacing is probably equally difficult ?

If you have been through it experiences/advice welcomed.

Martin

[DJT]

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Spurs wrote:

Only thing I need to to do is remove the rear screen. It looks quite tricky has anyone got any tips, I want to keep original seal if I can so do not want to cut it out. Replacing is probably equally difficult ?

BTDT.

Unless the rear seal is in very good condition it is false economy not to renew it. Removal of the window is fairly easy without recourse to a knife. The window (c/w seal) fits over the window aperture rim using the conventional 'length of strong string' method, so to remove just lever the seal back from inside the hard top using a blunt chisel or similar. Go slowly, and carefully, to make sure you don't slip and either damage the headlining if re-using, or damaging the heater element if re-using the screen.

When out, it will be easier to remove the outer trim and then the seal from the glass.

Alternatively, remove the trim first by undoing the two screws in the lower corners. This will allow you to remove the botom strip, and then the two upper strips. As these are held in place by a flap of rubber on the seal, I would be surprised if you can remove them without this flap being damaged or deformed sufficiently to make replacement almost impossible without replacing the seal.

Replacement of the window and seal is straightforward, but the outer trim is tricky.

Dave

[Spurs]

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Dave,

Thanks for info, I will check it out. Not concerned about buying a new rear seal I was just worried they may not be as good as the original.

Thanks

Martin