<VV> Convertible top install

[Hugo Miller]

This is only marginal advice, but I replaced the top on my Mitsubishi 
Eclipse last year. That had a 'plastic' rail around the back the the top 
was stapled to. This struck me as an odd material to use, but it 
obviously works ok. Maybe this is the 'polyurethane' you refer to?
I bought myself an air stapler to do the job, and I just nibbled away 
at it over week, doing a bit then going away & reading the instructions 
& looking at it & thinking about the next move. It came out very well. 
One thing I found was that attaching the interior lining (which of 
course you don't have) to the hoops was not as straightforward as it 
looked. I had to reposition them a few times, which was easy as they 
were held on with velcro (hook & loop). I think the secret, if you're 
not sure what you're doing (as I wasn't) is not to rush things. Just 
take one step at a time. Good luck.
I might have a go at my '64 convertible top shortly.

On 2019-02-02 17:36, Arlette Pat & Carl Kelsen via VirtualVairs wrote:
> G’day everyone,
> This request for Corvair convertible related advice is probably best
> directed to anyone who has ever been through the lengthy but all
> important process of replacing the soft top material on a convertible
> and ever better if that convertible was a late model Corvair.
>
> I am currently working on installing a complete reproduction Clarks
> Corvair Parts supplied convertible top on to our right hand drive1965
> Monza convertible. If you have done this job, then you will probably
> know that the top cover is attached the leading edge and to three
> cross bows.
>
> The leading (windscreen) edge and two of the ‘cross bows’ have ‘tack
> strip’ material that during manufacture was glued, stapled and or
> clipped to the cross bows. While this tack strip material appeared to
> be in good condition, on our convertible. My top installer advises me
> to replace this tack material nevertheless as after 50 plus years it
> will be brittle, hard, dry and may not secure the top as it should.
>
> Removing the old tack material took a little longer than I had
> expected but it’s all removed now and I have cleaned and repainted 
> the
> areas where thie replacement material will be fitted. Clarks Corvair
> Parts supply two sheets of water proof cardboard which I get the
> impression needs to be cut into strips. These strips are then glued
> together to form the replacement tack strips.
>
> However, I am wondering if in 2019 there might be a better material
> to use to provide these tack strips? A friend has recommended
> ‘Polyurethane’ which I think is used for suspension bushings and
> engine mounts so maybe it could be ideal. However I know little about
> how Polyurethane or even what form it comes in. Is  it purchased in
> liquid form and is then moulded to in whatever form is needed or do
> you buy it in hard form?
>
> Any advice or comments about the best material to use to form these
> ‘tack strips’ would be more than appreciated.
> Regards
> Carl Kelsen
> 1965 RHD Corvair Monza convertible
> Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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