How to remove the upholstery from a GTS roof? | FerrariChat

How to remove the upholstery from a GTS roof?

Discussion in '348/355' started by i_love_cph, Jan 5, 2008.

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  1. i_love_cph

    i_love_cph Karting

    Apr 26, 2007
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    #1 i_love_cph, Jan 5, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Does anybody know how the upholstery is attached to the roof? I would like to take it out and get it recovered with black leather.

    Thanks everybody.
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  2. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 19, 2001
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    The Bad Guy
    If you are talking about the outside of the top, it's not covered. It's fiberglass stamped with a "leather" looking pattern. If you want to freshen up the look and still keep it "stock", the best you can do it get it repainted black. Or do as I did and, sand the stamped pattern off, then have it painted to match the body.
     
  3. TheOnlyest

    TheOnlyest Formula 3

    Sep 25, 2007
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    Steve
    Ernie, I believe he's referring to the 2 square fabric covered panels stuck to the underside of the top panel. (inside the car) #15 in the diagram

    And a good question, I had my top sanded and painted, and the dull tan material up there looks like ****... I thought of recovering it too, but never got around to investigating now its attached... but if I had to wager a guess, i'd say those peices are just glued on.
     
  4. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Well if he is talking about the underside, then they are just glued on. At least that's how mine are attached.
     
  5. i_love_cph

    i_love_cph Karting

    Apr 26, 2007
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    Yes it's #15 i'm talking about.

    Thanks ernie!

    I will post pictures of the result.
     
  6. Mera

    Mera Formula Junior

    Aug 13, 2005
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    Rodney Dickman

    Please do. As much as I want to keep my 348 mostly original - that OEM material is ugly. I would not mind redoing it to look more in tune with the rest of the car. Post some pictures of the OEM pieces as you are taking them off etc.

    Rodney Dickman
    1990 348 TS
     
  7. potxoli

    potxoli Formula 3

    Mar 22, 2007
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    Related to this, is there a way to take the top apart? I have something in there that sounds like a pebble that is rattling every time I brake, you can hear go from one end to another.

    I
     
  8. TheOnlyest

    TheOnlyest Formula 3

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    Nope, its 1 solid (but hollow) piece. There may be openings under the those material pieces, but I dont know, I havnt removed them yet.
    You could try to remove one of the bullet pins and see if whatever is in there will fall out thru the hole. Those pins have a hex on them, so I assume they can be unscrewed... but again, I have never removed them.
     
  9. fxdwgs

    fxdwgs Formula 3

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    #15 looks like the sunshield to me

    am I wrong???

    //B//

     
  10. potxoli

    potxoli Formula 3

    Mar 22, 2007
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    That is a good idea. I notice that the latches are bolted on, I'm afraid that what I hear is a nut from the other side of the latch bolt that came loose... but then again, if the thing can't be open, how could they have held the nut in place to screw in the latches.....
     
  11. TheOnlyest

    TheOnlyest Formula 3

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    I thought maybe the same... but no matter, were all on the same page of what part he was referring too.

    There may be brass inserts in there... doesn't make sense that there would be a nut on the back... how would you get to it?
    I do know that the rain rails and trim on the sides are held on by screws right into the plastic, and pop-rivets.
    Its safe to assume that if anything is attached with a bolt thread, there would be threaded bungs molded into the plastic. Or perhaps a solid square plate with threaded holes in it.
     
  12. BobH

    BobH F1 Rookie
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    I redid mine with leather to match the tan interior a year ago.
    Yes the cloth panels are glued in and reasonably easy to remove. I would suggest you take care when you remove the cloth lining as there is a foam type of sound deadening or insulation material covering a rigid plastic sheet between the cloth and the roof panel. You will want this for reinstallation and I couldn't find anything similar to replace the original. The adhesive will come off with, I think, mineral spirits. Anyway it may have been another common solvent like denatured alcohol, I don't remember, but it just takes ventilation and patience. When the new covered panels were glued in place I used some heavy bags of sand to fully cover and provide pressure on the panels. Its been over a year and to date they aren't sagging so i guess it worked. Good luck
     
  13. i_love_cph

    i_love_cph Karting

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    Thanks BobH. Is it possible for you to post some pictures of the final result?
     
  14. dasadrew

    dasadrew Formula Junior

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    The parts manual lists those as available in cloth or leather, so keeping a factory look shouldn't be a problem?
     
  15. i_love_cph

    i_love_cph Karting

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    Link please : )
     
  16. dasadrew

    dasadrew Formula Junior

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    Drew H.
  17. BobH

    BobH F1 Rookie
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    #17 BobH, Jan 11, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Sory for the delay in response but I wasn't around. Here is a snapshot of the interior and the roof panel. The seats look different in color I assume beacuse of the flash angle. The car is under a car cover in hibernation so I only pulled off the driver side to take the picture. I like the look and the new leather smell is a plus.
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  18. i_love_cph

    i_love_cph Karting

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    #18 i_love_cph, Feb 1, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

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