Removal of alum side beads on Targa top? | FerrariChat
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Removal of alum side beads on Targa top?

Discussion in '308/328' started by DWPC, Apr 2, 2012.

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  1. DWPC

    DWPC Formula Junior

    Mar 10, 2011
    733
    Sedona AZ
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    Dennis
    #1 DWPC, Apr 2, 2012
    My 27 yr old targa top is looking a bit tired. I spoke with two good body guys whom I trust. They say painting the fiberglass top will fill the texture and look odd. They advise covering the top with vinyl rather than painting it. To do it right the trim has to come off.

    Has anyone removed the narrow aluminum trip strips (above the window seal)? They sit in a keyed slot along edge of the top. It looks like they might be driven off longwise with a wooden dowel and mallet but I prefer not to experiment on a piece that may easily be ruined. And the SPM doesn't show these trim strips as available separately from the top.
     
  2. shawxhurst

    shawxhurst Formula Junior

    Nov 6, 2006
    672
    San Diego
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    Steve Hawxhurst
    #2 shawxhurst, Apr 2, 2012
    I would think twice and then I'd think a third time about putting vynil on the top. Is your top just faded or is it damaged? If just faded try some Meguiars Trim Detailer on it. You will be totally amazed by the result! About $6.00 at many auto parts store. A very small investment compared to recovering with vynil which will look like, well.....vynil. There have been some threads on this - try a search or two.

    Steve
     
  3. i-velocita

    i-velocita F1 Rookie
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    #3 i-velocita, Apr 2, 2012
    Good original tops are getting harder to find. I would think long and hard before modifying your top with vinyl. A light touch up paint coat should not fill up the embossed detail on the top. Might want to try spot touch-up of chips and then use a product like Meguiars to darken and add luster.
     
  4. ME308

    ME308 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,550
    Munich, Germany
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    Michael
    #4 ME308, Apr 3, 2012
    if the colour of your top has only faded...don`t use paint no talking about vinyl !

    just try this in black: (searched a U.S. ebay offer for you)

    http://www.ebay.de/itm/Collonil-Waterstop-Leather-Shoe-Boot-Polish-Waterproof-11-Colors-2-5-oz-/330701328993?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item4cff55d261


    my targa top was a shade of grey and I´ve been using this stuff on a regular basis for years (old targa driver trick overhere ;)

    put it on with a rag, polish it afterwards, the initial somewhat "glossy" look will fade within hours and it will look nice ...use it when ever you take care of your car

    you will be amazed after a couple of treatments, can`t loose on that price anyway
    give it a try


    (you can also use the stuff for your shoes, of course ;) )
     
  5. maurice70

    maurice70 F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
    4,334
    Sydney
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    maurice T
    #5 maurice70, Apr 3, 2012
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2012
    I had a spare top painted to match the body..To remove the alum side rails you have to lift up,but do not completely remove the rubber mould on the underside and this will reveal three pop rivets..remove these pop rivets.The rail is stuck to the roof with silastic.Gently pry off the rail with a thin screwdriver.It requires patience but it took me about 15mins per side.Its important to use silicone/silastic when you refit the rail.Failure to do so will result in water penetrating the inside of the roof lining which will cause staining.
     
  6. Matto

    Matto Formula 3

    Dec 26, 2011
    2,085
    Mooresville, NC USA
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    Matthew
    #6 Matto, Apr 3, 2012
  7. DWPC

    DWPC Formula Junior

    Mar 10, 2011
    733
    Sedona AZ
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    Dennis
    #7 DWPC, Apr 3, 2012
    Thanks Maurice...that's exactly the info that I needed. I'd never have guessed it was riveted. So you pried it out of the channel instead of trying to slide it out? I was afraid that doing that might break the channel profile in the fiberglass.
     
  8. DWPC

    DWPC Formula Junior

    Mar 10, 2011
    733
    Sedona AZ
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    Dennis
    #8 DWPC, Apr 3, 2012
    Back-to-Black is like crack cocaine...quick results and then you're hooked to repeat it frequently because the effect wears off quickly. I want a permanent solution.
     
  9. DWPC

    DWPC Formula Junior

    Mar 10, 2011
    733
    Sedona AZ
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    Dennis
    #9 DWPC, Apr 3, 2012
    Its 100% reversible...it's actually less intrusive than paint as no sanding on the top is necessary and the vinyl adhesive can be stripped with gasoline, returning it to the previous surface. It will look good with little maintenance for many years.
     
  10. i-velocita

    i-velocita F1 Rookie
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    #10 i-velocita, Apr 3, 2012
    Ok, hope it turns out great. Be sure to post pictures!
     
  11. Matto

    Matto Formula 3

    Dec 26, 2011
    2,085
    Mooresville, NC USA
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    Matthew
    #11 Matto, Apr 3, 2012
    Bon voyage....
     
  12. maurice70

    maurice70 F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
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    maurice T
    #12 maurice70, Apr 3, 2012
    That's correct,it doesn't slide out.It needs to be pried out,breaking away the silicone/silastic a bit at a time as you work your way down.I used a combination of tools to do the job.A sharp knife also helped as well as a long thin screwdriver.It was a bit of a pain but it came out good.The rail is made out of a solid piece of aluminium so its pretty forgiving.The silicone/silastic is only on the underside of the roof.
     

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