Beating the heat from my black convertible top?? | FerrariChat
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Beating the heat from my black convertible top??

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by Alden, Jun 13, 2025.

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  1. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    Apr 25, 2010
    3,604
    Central Florida
    #1 Alden, Jun 13, 2025
    I have a 1988 Mondial 3.2 cabriolet, I have tint on my side windows, which works very well, but I still get a lot of heat from our relentless Florida sunshine through my uninsulated black convertible top. I was thinking about how I could put some kind of insulation on the inside of the top that could be removed if I chose put the top down, any ideas?
    I'm thinking about taking one of those foil windshield Shields and cutting it in the strips and wedging it in between the ribs side to side, am I crazy, will it do any good, will it hurt the top?
    Alden
     
  2. donkost

    donkost Formula 3
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    Dec 1, 2016
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    Blandon, PA
    #2 donkost, Jun 18, 2025
    I haven't seen any insulated replacement tops available. If cut perfectly a foil shield might stay in place between the ribs. The R12 AC on my '85 Cab blows really cold. Have to turn it down or off on some cooler days. I can pull out of the cool garage in the dead of summer (hot humid PA) and drive easily for an hour before I begin to feel any heat coming from the top. It's still quite comfortable and I typically don't drive longer than that. We can reach temps of 100 F here, but I typically drive when it's in the 80's or 90's tops. You have a longer period of time where it is hot and humid in FL compared to where I am located.
     
  3. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    #3 Alden, Jun 18, 2025
    I ordered the foil insulation, should be an easy install. We'll see how it goes. Yeah the problem is not so much just driving around, but if I let the car sit say in a parking lot for an hour or so the radiant heat from the top, even with the sunshade in the windshield and tinted side windows, still heats up the interior of the car. And even though my air conditioning works very well for Italian air conditioning, it still has a tough time cooling the car down.
    My system still has R12 as well, and I'm getting 39° air out of my center vents! But the Florida Sun is brutal!
    Alden
     
    ronfrohock likes this.
  4. donkost

    donkost Formula 3
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    #4 donkost, Jun 18, 2025
    Yes I see, and I would have the same issue in 90 degree PA if I left the car in a parking lot as you describe. I just haven't trusted any other drivers on the road or parking lot for years (texting and driving etc.) so my car is used mainly point A to point A. My only stop is the gas station. My car is in excellent condition, and I'm sure your car is as well, and I know I don't have a F40 but I just don't trust today's driver's.

    By chance, and since Ron liked your comment, do you have Ron's wedge adapter that redirects the AC air upward a bit? A previous owner installed it in my car and it has been a great addition.
     
  5. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    #5 Alden, Jun 18, 2025
    I seldom leave my car in a parking lot as well, but the same thing can happen on a long drive during one of our scorching summer days,
    Yes, I have Ron's vent wedge kit, it was one of the first mods I made on my car. It's also important to block off the under dash air hoses and the vents that go to the side windows, they do nothing for cooling the cabin. Stay with R12 if you can, it cools much better than R134! I also have Ron's roof toggles and replacement B pillars. All excellent products! Many thanks to Ron for making these parts, he's really serving the community! (And he's not making money on these small production run items either)
    Alden
     
    ronfrohock likes this.
  6. donkost

    donkost Formula 3
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    #6 donkost, Jun 18, 2025
    Yes, those vents that go to the side windows are pretty much useless. My car has Ron's replacement B pillars as well, looking sharp. I have not needed the replacement roof toggles yet. I am almost ashamed to say I have not yet put the top down since buying the car in 2018! Each year I say "this will be the year". lol Since the AC works so well and I primarily drive it in summer, it is just more comfortable to keep it up. If it was a smoothly-operating power folding top then sure I would have used it by now. I know it's not too bad to operate and you just have to take your time with it. Agree with your comments regarding Ron. This became a Ron F. commercial, and justifiably so. :)
     
    ronfrohock likes this.
  7. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 Whisky, Jun 18, 2025
    If you like R12 and can find it, BUY IT, since it is illegal to make here or import to the USA.
    Once it is gone, it's gone.
     
  8. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    #8 Alden, Jun 18, 2025
    I do and I just did, bought six cans for $30 each on marketplace, that's a bargain today!
    Alden
     
  9. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 27, 2006
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    In the flight path to Offutt
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    The original Fernando
    #9 Whisky, Jun 19, 2025
    It is!
    I see lots of R12 OIL for sale, but not many of the actual refrigerant.
     
  10. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    #10 Alden, Jun 19, 2025
    I see it all the time here in Florida, old folks dying off and their grandkids are selling off their "garage" stuff! Just gota search for it, by the way, if you need a can, I'll sell you one for what I've got in it just to be good to the community!
    Akden
     
  11. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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    #11 ronfrohock, Jun 21, 2025
    Thanks for the kind words! Much appreciated. I am happy to help!
     
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  12. greatscott73

    greatscott73 Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2017
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    Eastern Tennessee
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    Howard Scott
    #12 greatscott73, Jun 22, 2025
    Hi Ron. There's an 88 Mondial on BAT right now that needs roof latches but the guy cant remember your name. Might want to enlighten him. ( I would, but I can't remember my password for BAT, lol)
     
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  13. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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    #13 ronfrohock, Jun 22, 2025
    Thanks so much. I’ll have a look. Have a great day!
     
  14. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    #14 Alden, Jun 22, 2025
    Several of us posted your name on that listing, Ron. It's taken care of
    Alden
     
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