Need Advice; Removable Aux. Hardtop for C2

[Larry E.]

Thinking of putting on my removable aux. hardtop on my 66 this Summer. Doing it
just to change the pace. (Has not been on for over 12 years!) Is there anything that
can be done to stop the weatherstriping from "biting" into the paint? Should some
type of coating be put on the weatherstriping? eg.: armorall or silicon spray? Maybe
to make the stripping softer? Another idea I saw before was someone was making some type of plastic tape that was put on top of the paint. Is this still being made? Is it a
good idea? Or is it inevitable that if you use your removable top it will somewhat
damage the paint underneath? Thanks in Advance; Larry

[Don L.]

Re: Need Advice; Removable Aux. Hardtop for C2

Thanks for this thread, Larry. I'm in exactly the same place as you are with my '72. I'll be looking for the same advice that you are here.

I had my aux hard top re-painted and I'm replacing all the rubber over the winter so I too can change it up a bit. When I went to Paragon to get my new rubber/hardware, I picked up the plastic shield to protect the top surface of the deck. They have them for C2's as well. Corvette Central and others carry them too. I've even seen them in the MMW catalog that comes occasionally. I had one of these shields for my soft top but discarded it after a year or some because I didn't really think it was doing much. I will try again this spring with the hard top. I've also seen "custom" pieces of terrycloth fashioned and used by others to protect the deck.

[Larry E.]

Re: Need Advice; Removable Aux. Hardtop for C2

Thanks for this thread, Larry. I'm in exactly the same place as you are with my '72. I'll be looking for the same advice that you are here.

I had my aux hard top re-painted and I'm replacing all the rubber over the winter so I too can change it up a bit. When I went to Paragon to get my new rubber/hardware, I picked up the plastic shield to protect the top surface of the deck. They have them for C2's as well. Corvette Central and others carry them too. I've even seen them in the MMW catalog that comes occasionally. I had one of these shields for my soft top but discarded it after a year or some because I didn't really think it was doing much. I will try again this spring with the hard top. I've also seen "custom" pieces of terrycloth fashioned and used by others to protect the deck.

Don:
Would not that plastic shield do some damage to the paint by itself if left there long?
I wonder if someone makes some type of felt that would fit. That way the paint would be
able to "breathe". Larry

[Don L.]

Re: Need Advice; Removable Aux. Hardtop for C2

Don:
Would not that plastic shield do some damage to the paint by itself if left there long?
I wonder if someone makes some type of felt that would fit. That way the paint would be
able to "breathe". Larry

I always worried a bit about that too, Larry. It's one of the reasons I abandoned the use. I look forward to others' inputs on this subject...

[Larry E.]

Re: Need Advice; Removable Aux. Hardtop for C2

Thinking of putting on my removable aux. hardtop on my 66 this Summer. Doing it
just to change the pace. (Has not been on for over 12 years!) Is there anything that
can be done to stop the weatherstriping from "biting" into the paint? Should some
type of coating be put on the weatherstriping? eg.: armorall or silicon spray? Maybe
to make the stripping softer? Another idea I saw before was someone was making some type of plastic tape that was put on top of the paint. Is this still being made? Is it a
good idea? Or is it inevitable that if you use your removable top it will somewhat
damage the paint underneath? Thanks in Advance; Larry

I'll move this up one more time. I thought for sure I would get way more responses
on this subject. I guess that if you use the Aux. Hardtop you will have to live
with paint damage. Sounds like a poor design from the start. Larry

[Jeff S.]

Re: Need Advice; Removable Aux. Hardtop for C2

Did you read the lengthy PM I sent yesterday, same subject?

[Larry S.]

Re: Need Advice; Removable Aux. Hardtop for C2

Let me throw in my $0.02 cents. I have a 56 T-Bird; these cars have the same issues about the weatherstrip damaging the paint, mostly discoloration from the weatherstrip. I use the heavy, clear plastic strips uner the weatherstrip; they've been on since 1987 with no paint damage (and no discoloration from the weatherstrip).

[Michael F.]

Re: Need Advice; Removable Aux. Hardtop for C2

Let me throw in my $0.02 cents. I have a 56 T-Bird; these cars have the same issues about the weatherstrip damaging the paint, mostly discoloration from the weatherstrip. I use the heavy, clear plastic strips uner the weatherstrip; they've been on since 1987 with no paint damage (and no discoloration from the weatherstrip).

I agree. The strips work fine. After 12 yrs your rubber might be a bit shrunk. Make sure it's ok be for installing.

[Gene M.]

Re: Need Advice; Removable Aux. Hardtop for C2

The hardtop rubber hardens with time. Replacement on a regular schedule helps, but time consuming and costly. I am going to try the clear shield on my white 67. I would think if the shield is trimmed to fit close to the rubber it would not look ugly. During stowage release the rear top tie towns and set soft towels under seal would eliminate the pressure.

I didn't do any prevention on my 68 and now it has deep marks from the top. Only shows with hard top off. Going down the road at 65 mph all is fine, can't see it.

[Larry E.]

Re: Need Advice; Removable Aux. Hardtop for C2

Did you read the lengthy PM I sent yesterday, same subject?

Jeff: Yes I read it; maybe that's the only answer. Thanks; Larry