Convertible Top Installment - Automotive Plastic Surgery

The window panel is now installed, again temporarily, to find proper placement. This is trial and error until the window panel is in the desired location.

Once the new top is centered and in the proper position, the center panel is marked on both sides. Now the rear tack-strip can be removed and the top stapled in place.

With the top stapled to the tack-strip, the strips can be reinstalled to the rear of the top well. Next, the top is centered and stretched forward so that the positioning on the front bow can be checked.

Once the window panel location is determined, it's installed permanently by staples to the bottom tack-strip and rear bow.

It takes a lot of staples to properly install a convertible top, so a pneumatic staple gun certainly helps.

With the rear window panel installed, Emo now lays the new top in place to check for alignment and proper fit.

Once in position on the front bow, the top is marked so it can be folded back for gluing. Industrial grade upholstery adhesive is then sprayed on the bottom side of the top and on the forward bow, and the top is affixed in place.

After a few staples are holding the top, dropping it slightly will help it be stapled more permanently. Again, lots of staples are used so a pneumatic staple gun is definitely an advantage.

With the top affixed to the forward bow, and the top closed and latched, the side tabs of the top at the quarter windows can be glued and attached in place. The side tabs as well as the forward area of the top will also be held in place by the molding that holds the weatherstrip in these areas, as well as the glue.

The slit at the rear bow is covered by the rear bow cover, which is stapled in place, then bent over with a soft hammer to form a water-tight seal. The ends are held in place with metal trim and screws.