308 targa top rubber tip protectors using GOOP

I recently replaced my targe rubber tips and did not want them to suffer the same fate as the originals (first picture). Since the recent consesus on another thread was to store the top behind the seats with the tips down, I decided to do something about it. The next few pictures show a simple bushing sleeve I made to slip over each tip before setting it behind the seats. You can make them in about 1 hour for about $8. A materials list and fabrication sequence is as follows:

Each sleeve was made with:

One 1/2" PVC female threaded adapter
A 1.25" long piece of 1/2 I.D. (5/8 O.D.) clear vinyl tubing
A 3/4" long piece of 5/8 I.D. (3/4 O.D.) clear vinyl tubing
A 1/4" long piece of 3/8 I.D. (1/2 O.D.) clear vinyl tubing
GOOP Automotive contact adhesive and sealant
Electrical tape
Masking tape

I found that the 1/2 PVC fitting was a perfect length to clear the rubber tip when pressed against the targa fabric, enough to protect it from contacting the floor.
Rough up the slip side (smooth) of the threaded PVC adapters with something like a battery clamp wire brush. This will allow the GOOP to better adhere later.
Cut the three pieces of vinyl tubing to the approximate sizes I list.
Slip each piece of tubing into the other "dry" to form a triple thickness stepped assembly (no glue) positioning all 3 pieces flush at one end. It won't be perfect so do not worry about how it looks.
Slip the tubing unit over your rubber tip to sense how snug the feel is. This is where you will have to gauge your own situation. You want the tubing to fit over the tips snug but easy enough to pull off. Light friction is the goal.
Next, insert the tubing into the PVC adapter from the smooth end of the fitting so the flush end of the vinyl is flush to the fitting end. Slip the whole thing over the rubber tip again and see if it feels snug enough to stay put when pointing downward. If so your ready to GOOP it up. If not then wrap some black electrical tape around the longest end of the vinyl tubing a few turns and test the snugness again. Adjust the electrical tape thickness around the tubing till it feels right to you. When you are satisfied with the fit, trim off about 1/8" of the flush end of the vinyl tubing unit so that when inserted into the PVC fitting, it is recessed about 1/8".

Now your ready to GOOP. I like this stuff as it seems to be as tough as clear vinyl when dry.
First mask the outer surface of the PVC and the rubber tip as shown in the photos to keep it clean for later when you GOOP the "top".
Use latex gloves for this part. Pre-GOOP the 3/4" long section of the vinyl tubing and inset it into the PVC fitting. That will hold the vinyl in the PVC when dried. Next slip the whole sleeve/vinyl assembly onto the rubber tip, making sure the vinyl does not creep back out of the PVC. It should end up looking like the triple vinyl insert is 1/8" down in the PVC with the masked rubber tip in view near the surface.
Prop up the targa top so the sleeves are plumb. Apply a nice blob of GOOP on the end, enough to form a small dome that will later rest on the carpet floor.
Allow to dry over night, remove the masking tape and you're good to go.

PM me if you have any questions.
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Interesting project Bob. I always figured the tips were damaged more from installing the top into the mounting holes but you could be right. Looking at your old pin though it seems they changed designs at some point (surprise, surprise!!). Mine are larger pins with just a thin coating of rubber around them. Doesn't seem that the older type pins would be damaged much during storage but I can see how the newer ones could!

John

 

Don´t you think this would ruin your carpet?

I think i would rather replace a €16/$25 rubber tip than a probably more expensive carpet.

Jeffrey

 

First, how often do you replace the pins? The first set on my 308 lasted about 21 years! And, to protect the second set, I simply stored the top with the pins in the "up" orientation behind the seats, with the vinyl cover in place. Worked for me.

I would be concerned with the PVC pipe wearing not only into the carpet, but worse, wearing into the fabric on the targa top wear it will contact it.

Why is the concensus to store the top with the pins down? Are the pins really that expensive? I purchased a set from my dealer 7 years ago, for about $10 each, even if they are double that, hardly a major expense every 20 years or so.

 

Actually Jeffery, I noticed that my (original) carpet was developing two depressions from the exposed steel tips. So I figured that two blunt soft 1" dia surfaces would be easier on the carpet than two borderline ice picks.

Also, my vinyl top "cover" would not allow the snaps to reach the floor posts with the pins upward. The only way I could install the cover was with pins down and topside facing forward.

 

Interesting, but both my 78 308GTS and my later 87 328GTS, the vinyl cover fit just fine with the top stored pins "up". Is your vinyl cover a factory oem original?

 

My cover is an after market repo since I had to buy and then install the snaps on it after I bought the car. I mounted the snaps as far apart as I could given the finished cut size of the cover. The snap "posts' were there in their original locations. I've been laying my cover out in the bright sun to soften/stretch it and then snap it in place when cooling.

I find its now better with the tips down since the latches are totally clear of the body interior. They were also deteriorating, probably from rubbing for years against the bulkhead when placed down.