Hardtop front seal installation

[Davo1805NZ]

Hi all -

Gradually getting my hardtop back together and have just spent a number of hours installing the rear seal into the retaining strips - managed to slowly coax it all the way through from one side to the other. I don't think I would be as successful doing this with the front seal - the transitions at the corners look like they would be too difficult to negotiate. Hence, I was contemplating cutting the seal and installing as three pieces, butted into each other at the ends - was thinking I could maybe make some plugs from closed-cell foam to insert at the two joints. Any thoughts on this - has anybody else cheated in this manner? Would I be asking for trouble?

Would appreciate any feedback . Cheers - Dave

[richardthestag]

May be worth dropping a line to Woolies https://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/

Find out from them the tips and tricks for creating a "mitred" joint on the seal.

It could well be something like you suggested already or maybe even using bicycle puncture repair patches to reinforce the joint

[jbuckl]

Did one in 2022. Did not make cuts.

[Davo1805NZ]

Did one in 2022. Did not make cuts.

Thanks - did you feed it in all the way around three sides, or did you work along it, levering into place with a screwdriver or some other implement?

[DJT]

When I did mine over 20 years ago, I placed one side of the foot into the retaining strip and pushed the other side in with a large screwdriver, working around the strip until it was all in. No cutting.

[jbuckl]

Thanks - did you feed it in all the way around three sides, or did you work along it, levering into place with a screwdriver or some other implement?

flat blade screwdriver only. Did it dry. Seal did hold into channel .

[Rigid]

If it is the same seal as the soft top pushing one side In is the way to do it.

[DZP]

Hi Dave,
I used fairy liquid as lubricant and 2x plastic trim tools to ease one edge in.
I did not make any cuts.
I threaded it along the straightish front edge, just easing over any rivets that were raised as I pulled it along the channel.
I did get the rivets installed quite flat though.
I then levered the seal in around both corners.
It was very hard work on the finger tips around the corners.
Den

[taroz]

I finished mine late last year and managed to get the front seal on without much issue.

I used a set of picks like these, which helped greatly! https://amzn.eu/d/bs7pvY0

[Davo1805NZ]

Thanks for all of the advice - looks like I ought to be able to install the seal without butchering it...

It was very hard work on the finger tips around the corners.
Den

Before tackling it I'm having a couple of days break to allow my fingers, arms, shoulders, chest etc. to recover from fitting the back one! I'll post again to let you know how I got on.

[taroz]

Hi Dave,

Using those cheap picks - mostly the left hand one - made all the difference to me. A flat blade screwdriver was too clunky for me.

Tariq

[Davo1805NZ]

OK, I got it installed in one piece. The approach I took was to slide each end of the seal into the side channels, using a little silicon grease to assist, and leaving what looked to be enough to go around the corners and across the front. Then I started at the middle, working with a blunt flat blade screwdriver, working first to one end and around the corner, then went the other way. I was able to adjust the seal when I got to the corners by sliding in or out of the side channels as required. Sounds simple, eh? Though the corners were still a p***k to deal with.... I got it done much quicker than the back one - probably about an hour and a half, compared to maybe four hours - and without the upper-body workout!

Thanks again for all the advice received.

[richardthestag]

great news

[Goldstar]

OK, I got it installed in one piece. The approach I took was to slide each end of the seal into the side channels, using a little silicon grease to assist, and leaving what looked to be enough to go around the corners and across the front. Then I started at the middle, working with a blunt flat blade screwdriver, working first to one end and around the corner, then went the other way. I was able to adjust the seal when I got to the corners by sliding in or out of the side channels as required. Sounds simple, eh? Though the corners were still a p***k to deal with.... I got it done much quicker than the back one - probably about an hour and a half, compared to maybe four hours - and without the upper-body workout!

Thanks again for all the advice received.

I think I might have a beer to celebrate your victory. Good stuff Davo

[Davo1805NZ]

I think I might have a beer to celebrate your victory. Good stuff Davo

Cheers - mine's a G&T

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