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Removing a vinyl top what to use

Posted By: moparfun340

Removing a vinyl top what to use - 11/25/08 12:51 PM

I am going to remove my vinyl top on my challenger. Will it come off by hand and what do you think is the best way to clean the glue off. Also if I just paint to the vinyl top trim on by the back do you think it will look good. Please give me your thoughts or things that you have done. Plus will I find a lot of body work that I can not see now?
Thanks
Posted By: dustergirl340

Re: Removing a vinyl top what to use - 11/25/08 01:16 PM

We've had them come off in one piece and we've had them come off in several little pieces. Mostly several little pieces.

A razor blade or scraper is useful to pry the little bits off. To get the glue off I use a DA air sander. Aircraft stripper will work too if you don't have tools or a compressor. I wouldn't use this if you are trying to save the paint on the rest of the car, though.

We've never had a problem with a severely rusted top that was under vinyl but I know of several guys that have. At worst we've found surface rust that we ground off.
Posted By: 74RR

Re: Removing a vinyl top what to use - 11/25/08 02:05 PM

Would a heat gun work to loosen up the adhesive?
Posted By: Kirby

Re: Removing a vinyl top what to use - 11/25/08 03:20 PM

I just put some thinner in my paint gun (without air) and squirt it on the roof in small workable areas. Let it sit for a few seconds, and scrape it off. Nice because you can control the thinner, and area you are working on.
Posted By: 340727dart

Re: Removing a vinyl top what to use - 11/25/08 10:32 PM

Are there any bubbles under the vinyl? If so, you've got rust.
When I pulled the vinyl off my Dart the sunroof panel, it had a few bubbles.
But, once I got the vinyl off I ended up having to replace the entire roof. And mine is a factory sunroof car.
Fortunately, Mark Nixon came through with an entire roof with a factory sunroof that I installed myself.
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