Topic: Vinyl top underlayment

[don.piotrek]

Hi Guys,

how do you prepare the roof surface before laying the vinyl top? Do you paint it in the body color anyway and then put some extra layers of rust protection? What type of glue works best with both the vinyl and the roof surface?

Thanks

[CharlesTurner]

No special prep, body color isn't necessary, but would be fine.

An auto upholstery grade super neoprene adhesive is ideal.  An auto upholstery shop I have known for years buys it in 5 gallon containers and uses paint guns to spray.

[RoyceP]

Best option to prevent corrosion is to paint the roof like you would the rest of the car. Then sand it with some #320 to promote adhesion. Clean thoroughly with Prep - Sol before applying adhesive. I've used 3M Fast Bond 1357 Light Yellow adhesive in a cheapie Harbor Freight spray gun. I believe this is a very close duplication of how the vinyl tops were installed by Ford originally, except that the roof would have only been lightly dusted with paint.

Where to buy the glue:
https://www.skygeek.com/3m-021200-22586-adhesive-contact-lt-yel-gl-3m-sw-1357.html#jmui=f%3A213%3A305782624%3A0T.GEHBWAqae2VaaEN%2Ci*ez%25

[J_Speegle]

...................I believe this is a very close duplication of how the vinyl tops were installed by Ford originally, except that the roof would have only been lightly dusted with paint.

With a coat of red oxide color primer and possible some light gray primer on some or all if the surface.

[don.piotrek]

Thanks for all the answers. This was very helpful!