CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Restoration => Topic started by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 18, 2014, 03:03:34 PM

Title: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 18, 2014, 03:03:34 PM
I am about ready to instal my Vinyl Top on my 68 and was wondering if you all have advice on trimming the top around the quarters and rear filler panel? I had a top put on my car 20+ years ago and the guy ran a razor blade around the chrome molding and it cut through the paint and caused a bunch of rust.  >:(
(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/HPIM3013.jpg)

(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/HPIM3122.jpg)

Here it is almost 4 years later & this time I will just do it myself so I am looking for any tricks or advice on this. How did the GM trim the tops?
 Thank you in advance,
 Nick

(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/100_1597_zpsbcdb802d.jpg)
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: BULLITT65 on March 18, 2014, 04:03:42 PM
Thats a good looking color. Is that what color your car came from the factory?
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Kelley W King on March 18, 2014, 08:23:49 PM
you know your spoiler is going to hit your rear antennae?
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: jack92584 on March 18, 2014, 09:51:23 PM
Butternut w/ a vinyl top is such a great combo. I'm going to follow this thread see how it turns out. Wish I had some advice to give but I'm it the same boat, I want to put the vinyl top back on my 69 but havent worked up t nerve to try it myself.
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: 69Z28 on March 18, 2014, 10:42:24 PM
Your speaker holes are gigantic.
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: janobyte on March 18, 2014, 10:45:29 PM
you know your spoiler is going to hit your rear antennae?

just remember to push it slightly to the side---or you'll chip your paint. Really nice color ,few years back a guy who lived by me owned one that color with vinyl--really looked nice.
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 18, 2014, 11:06:18 PM
Thats a good looking color. Is that what color your car came from the factory?
Thank you. Yes Butternut was the original color although when I bought the car in 1980 it was Gold. I had it painted the 77 Corvette Yellow in first pics in 1981, but I have wanted to return it back to Butternut for probably 20 years. After hurting the big block at the drag strip in early 2006 I set it aside & started on the rotisserie resto the end of 2009.  I've worked on it off & on.. mostly off. lol..  over since, & painted it myself at home here in my garage last May through July.
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 18, 2014, 11:07:47 PM
you know your spoiler is going to hit your rear antennae?

LOL.. I know, it's been that way the whole 34 years I've owned the car. It wasn't born with a rear spoiler but it was on there when I bought it and it just seems at home.
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 18, 2014, 11:08:18 PM
Butternut w/ a vinyl top is such a great combo. I'm going to follow this thread see how it turns out. Wish I had some advice to give but I'm it the same boat, I want to put the vinyl top back on my 69 but havent worked up t nerve to try it myself.

Thank you for the kind words sir
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Charley on March 18, 2014, 11:10:25 PM
I would make sure you get a good vinyl top. Most that you see are too padded.
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 18, 2014, 11:11:03 PM
Your speaker holes are gigantic.

 lol.. I know thats what happens when 16 year old kid puts new speakers in. There are to many things to count that I've done to this poor car over the years I wish I could take back. :(
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 18, 2014, 11:12:24 PM
Thats a good looking color. Is that what color your car came from the factory?
Thank you. Yes Butternut was the original color although when I bought the car in 1980 it was Gold. I had it painted the 77 Corvette Yellow in first pics in 1981, but I have wanted to return it back to Butternut for probably 20 years. After hurting the big block at the drag strip in early 2006 I set it aside & started on the rotisserie resto the end of 2009.  I've worked on it off & on.. mostly off. lol..  over since, & painted it myself at home here in my garage last May through July.

Thank you, yes that is what I have done all these years :)
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 18, 2014, 11:14:07 PM
I would make sure you get a good vinyl top. Most that you see are too padded.

The top I bought came from Firewheel Classics, I hope it is right.
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: HOT3O2 on March 18, 2014, 11:23:11 PM
Your speaker holes are gigantic.

 lol.. I know thats what happens when 16 year old kid puts new speakers in. There are to many things to count that I've done to this poor car over the years I wish I could take back. :(

I sure know where your coming from. I got my car in 76 and was 19 at the time. I'm still kicking myself in the butt for some of the things I did. At one point I was going to install a T-Top. Boy I'm glad that never happened.
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: janobyte on March 19, 2014, 12:45:48 AM
Could have called you "Bandit" !
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: z28z11 on March 19, 2014, 02:54:54 AM
Your speaker holes are gigantic.

 lol.. I know thats what happens when 16 year old kid puts new speakers in. There are to many things to count that I've done to this poor car over the years I wish I could take back. :(

I sure know where your coming from. I got my car in 76 and was 19 at the time. I'm still kicking myself in the butt for some of the things I did. At one point I was going to install a T-Top. Boy I'm glad that never happened.

Precisely what I envisoned in '78. I was selling Porta Band Saws to the custom shops around here that were installing Hurst T-Tops, and it got pretty close to happening. Nearly to the custom stage, I thought about it long enough to recognize originality was probably better. Reading Super Chevy and attending Super Chevy shows starting in the mid-80's cinched the deal. Started spending on NOS parts in 1980 instead of aftermarket -

Steve
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: lakeholme on March 20, 2014, 12:17:44 AM
The fellow who put mine on had made an adjustable guide and set the razor blade so it just cut to the depth of the top. It worked remarkably well. Then he pulled off his trimmings gently. Tough spots he cleaned up with a small pair of surgical scissors.

Obiviously, I like butternut. Is your paint BC/CC?
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 20, 2014, 03:04:16 AM
Thank you guys, I installed the top today and got it all trimmed. What I did was, I laid the chrome moldings over the pins with out the clips and marked around the moldings with a sharpie. Then pulled them back off & used one of my wife's thin plastic cutting boards and slid it up under the top up to the pins & used a razor blade and slowly cut it just on the inside of the line. With the cutting board between the paint & vinyl I was able to trim it with out ever touching any of the paint. I did take a few pics but left the camera out in the garage so I'll try & post them tomorrow.
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 20, 2014, 10:54:35 PM
Here are a few pics... :)


(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/100_1835_zps6fa69538.jpg)

(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/100_1949_zpsf4842d8c.jpg)

(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/100_1952_zpsf3579478.jpg)

(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/100_1953_zps68eaafdd.jpg)

(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/100_1960_zpse17822a2.jpg)

(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/100_1967_zps2f060424.jpg)

(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/100_1970_zpsc657612c.jpg)

(http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/x77d80/68%20SSRS%20396%20Camaro/100_1968_zpsf63a0cc8.jpg)
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: ko-lek-tor on March 20, 2014, 10:59:07 PM
Gosh Darn ! That thing looks sweeet! I'm stunned. Great job!
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: janobyte on March 21, 2014, 12:10:37 AM
Gosh Darn ! That thing looks sweeet! I'm stunned. Great job!

DITTO!
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 21, 2014, 12:30:33 AM
Thank you guys
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: rsr on March 21, 2014, 01:12:31 AM
 Top job looks good!!
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: BULLITT65 on March 21, 2014, 01:47:58 AM
Very nice install. Great looking colors on your car.
 Is the rear antenna originally that long?
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: Daytona Yellow 69 Z/28 on March 21, 2014, 02:02:36 AM
Thank you guys, I do not know that is just a cheep 15.00 antenna I bought off of feebay. I just couldn't justify 200 bucks for an antenna. It's 30"s long if I remember right
Title: Re: Trim Vinyl top ?
Post by: 68Zproject on March 21, 2014, 04:02:02 AM
Look at this.

(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/68zproject/2007-10-25-2201-51_edited.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/68zproject/media/2007-10-25-2201-51_edited.jpg.html)