<VV> 65’ Monza Convert. top restoration

[Hugo Miller]

If it were mine, I would not powder-coat the frame - I would just clean 
it & paint it with something like POR-15, which is far tougher than 
powder-coating, and brushes on very nicely. At least the gloss black 
does, the semi-gloss does not flow as well, but that is more of an issue 
with large surfaces. The trouble with powder coating is that it will 
eventually rub through in places & then it might start flaking off at 
the edges. POR-15, on the other hand, sticks like nothing I've ever 
seen.
For what it's worth, I prefer a manual top on a Corvair. I can raise 
the top on mine with one hand in less than two seconds. If there's a 
shower threatening while the car is parked, I just flip it up without 
latching it. That is quite enough to keep the rain out. I do have one 
Corvair with a power top, and I find it slow & cumbersome by comparison.


On 2018-11-24 21:28, Arlette Pat & Carl Kelsen via VirtualVairs wrote:
> G’day everyone,
> Can I ask everyone for some advice please. I am about to commence the
> complete restoration and re-installation of the power soft top on our
> 1965 right hand drive Monza convertible.
>
> To date I have:
> 1/ LH / RH GEARBOXES
> Disassembled, cleaned, reassembled and re-lubed both side gearboxes
> (if that is the correct name for them?). I have re-installed both of
> these gearboxes on the car and have been very careful to install,
> position / locate them in the exact same adjustment positions that
> they were removed from.
>
> 2/ POWER TOP CABLES
> Cleaned, re-lubed and re-installed the two cables that connect from
> the gearboxes to centrally mounted (behind the rear seat) electric
> motor that will power the soft top.
>
> My next intended steps:
> 1/ FABRIC TOP MATERIAL
> I plan to remove the original aged soft top covering from the frame
> and while doing this take lots of close up photos showing how the
> original top was originally attached to the frame.
>
> I am planning to take these photos as I expect these photos may be a
> valuable reference tool for the person I will get to install the
> replacement Clarks Corvair supplied soft top.
>
> 2/ FRAME OPTIONS & MY QUESTIONS
> (A) Powder coat.
> ‘Ideally’ I would like to completely disassemble the convertible top
> frame. Then clean and Power Coat each individual part. Then
> reassembled the freshly power coated frame parts and then assemble 
> the
> complete frame back on our car.
>
> My concern is that if do this will I loose the factory adjustment /
> assembly of the frame? Is this likely or am I worrying about a 
> problem
> that might not exist?
>
> (B) Paint
> If maintaining the factory assembly of the frame is important then
> perhaps I should leave the frame assembled, simply degrease it as a
> complete unit, repaint as required and re-lub before installing back
> on our car.
>
> The frame is in excellent condition, is not rusty but I would like it
> better than perfect before fitting it back on our car.
>
> Any advice on the above would be welcomed as this is the first
> convertible I have had anything to do with.
>
> Kind regards from Australia (down under)
> Carl Kelsen
> Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
> 1965 RHD MONZA CONVERTIBLE
>
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