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Horse Skinning!

Installing The Vinyl Top On The Paddock's Project Charger
By Geoff Stunkard
Photography by Tom Rounds
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Begin by removing all trim that touches the vinyl roof and masking off both the car's windows and painted sheetmetal unless you like cleaning glue off of your new paint job. The masking needs to come right up to the outside edge of the chrome and detail trim lines. The roof has been primer prepped, and the new vinyl is sun-treated. Use a tape measure and a Sharpie to place two marks, one at the front and one at the rear, on the exact center of the roof for proper alignment. This is a critical measurement; double-check it before going any further.

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Here's the mark on the car.
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Fold the vinyl roof cover exactly in half. This needs to match your mark on the car, so be sure it is correct on both ends. Once assured, cut a small triangular notch on each end. Since this is extra material, the cuts will not hurt the finished install.
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Test-fit the top using the Sharpie marks as guidelines. Make sure you were shipped the right example for your model, and eyeball the general alignment. There is extra material here, so it might be a little larger than expected, but it should appear to cover every surface without a problem. Due to the Charger's "flying buttress" rear window, it will not be perfect in this area before stretching.
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Once you're ready, fold the top over on itself again, exposing one half of the roof. This is the point of no return; recheck your alignment and get the glue sprayer.
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The guys at Michael's use DAP Weldwood Contact Adhesive to attach vinyl tops. Since this is spray grade, there's no need to dilute it.
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Using a helper, roll back the top even more while maintaining the material's position so that more of the roof is exposed. Spray glue about a foot wide on the centerline of the roof only at this point, as well as the back of the material in that area. Don't spray the edges of the metal yet.
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Evenly roll the top back over the roof again. This is tacky stuff; if the alignment is off, pull it up carefully by the edges, being sure not to stretch it, and start over. Ideally, the top will line up to your marks and you can begin stretching and pulling it.
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If it's right, smooth the top carefully down the centerline to eliminate any air bubbles or ridges. Pull it over the front and rear of the car first to ensure it's still lined up, and then work your way down each side.
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Now you're ready to finish applying the glue to the roof. Do this one side at a time. Lay a piece of tarp on the top half of the material you're not going to glue yet. Next, roll the material for the side you'll work on next back on top of this. Spray all the roof surfaces on the half you're working on, including A-pillars, C-pillars, gutters, and edges, feathering the glue down on the metal-appearing paint. Good masking in step one is important...

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