Vinyl Top Removal

Q: Vinyl Top Removal

I have a 1968 FB 400. It was originally green with a black vinyl top. Its now white with white top. Does anyone know whether I can remove the vinyl top and repaint as a hard top. I want black with purple glitter.

A: You can remove the top and repaint but youre probably going to be disappointed when you do . Every one I ve taken off has had some sort of problem hiding under neath. the factory didnt do a very good job of body work or paint under when they knew a vinyl top was going on it. hence youll find lousy lead joints at the top of quarters and maybe even some rust you didnt know you had. I retired my first 1968 that ive had since 1970 due to severe rust under the top. Its in the back forty and I looked the other day and it looked like it had T-Tops.I am currently restoring 2 other vinyl top cars ,a 1968 which was painted over and Im putting the top back on, and a 1969 that is being painted. My advise is this. If you take the top off for good then WELD the holes closed and use no bondo. The tits that hold trim on can be hacksawed off and carefully ground smooth . use a mininum amount of heat and cool carefully or youll warp the panels. take the whole top area down to bare metal and metal prep , then use a good urethane or epoxy primer. Good luck

A: Anything you do to deviate from stock is going to dramatically decrease the value of your bird. If you are concerned with resale, restore it. If you are going to be buried in it go balls out and paint the whole thing black with purple glitter, and put a 455 in it.

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