Restore a Convertible

Restoring a car takes time and perseverance. The restoration may involve finding and using reproductions of a specific car's mechanical parts. How much work is required to restore a car depends on its condition and type. A convertible with a retractable top, for example, may need the entire top replaced. Try these steps to restore a convertible.

Steps

  1. Research your convertible. Find out how it was originally constructed to get a more accurate restoration.
    • Find data on the car's parts and manufacturing, such as names of its paint colors. Consult car magazines, websites or talk to car experts.
  2. Determine what you need to restore in the convertible. Restoration may be limited to the exterior or also involve recreating the interior and/or the internal mechanics and wiring.
    • If your convertible is obviously rundown or in need of repair, you may want to disassemble the car to check for problems or safety issues that are hidden from sight.
    • Collect and label car parts in clear plastic bags or containers if removing them yourself.
  3. Get any replacement parts for your car. Try ordering reproduction parts online or visit local junkyards to find parts. Reproduction parts should be easily available for popular models, such as Corvettes, Camaros or Mustangs.
  4. Support your convertible on jack stands or other stabilizers when removing structural pieces. Make sure the car is completely stable for a smooth installation of new parts.
  5. Begin working on a convertible's structure from the floor up. You may need to remove rust from the car through sandblasting or weld pieces of it together.
    • Replace parts of your car as needed. Reproduction parts may need additional changes, such as cutting or welding, to fit your car exactly.
  6. Apply epoxy primer to each restored area of the car's structure as necessary. The primer will help prevent future rusting.
  7. Paint the car to factory specifications. Multiple coats may be needed.
  8. Replace your convertible's top if needed. Many convertible tops are built in 2 parts, the main top and the section with a back window, referred to as the "curtain."
    • Get a replacement top with a rear window made of glass instead of plastic if you can. Glass will last for your car's lifetime and takes less work to clean and maintain than plastic. An inexpensive plastic window, however, can turn brown, get scratched, or even crack over time.
    • Cover your car with protective wrapping to avoid damaging its paint.
    • Take out the back seat to allow for easier access to components during the replacement.
    • Prepare new seals for securing your new top.
    • Remove the well liner from the car. It should snap out and may then be pulled out.
    • Store and label the parts you remove in an organized fashion to make them easier to put back.
    • Remove any screws, staples or other pieces holding the top in place, such as tack strips. Pull off the top cover.
    • Put in a new back bow to structure the car's top. Prop up a piece of wood to serve as a spacer for the bow's required height.
    • Adjust balance link adjustment bolts to control the top's even movement as it comes in from the sides to the front.
    • Install new stay pads if necessary.
    • Line up the new main convertible top with the header edge. Pull it back tight.
    • Add other interior parts, such as a cable, spring and new tack strip. Glue the side panels down. Tape the top's seams.
    • Fit the rear window to the rest of the top. Unlatch the top of the convertible to make it easier to install the back window.
    • Staple in the window glass from the center outward.
    • Staple a side binding edge for the top. Use a reference line to guide you.
    • Mark the front header as a folding reference. Pull your top's material top tight and staple it into place a little past the front header's folding line.
    • Tighten the top's sides to smooth out wrinkles. Clamp a curved piece of iron to hold stretched flaps for quarter windows in place.
    • Check your seals. Staple the top's material so it overlaps over its edges.
    • Staple the wire on back to the back bow.
    • Steam away remaining wrinkles if necessary.
    • Snap the well liner back in to the car.

Tips

  • Ask a mechanic or auto body shop to assist you in restoring your car.
  • Consult your convertible's manual when installing a new top. Certain models, such as early Volkswagen Beetles or General Motors' El Dorados and Impalas from 1971 to 1976, may require special steps to put in a new top.

Warnings

  • Wear proper safety equipment when working on your car. This can include gloves, safety goggles and a dust mask.

Things You'll Need

  • Research on convertible
  • Safety equipment
  • Clear plastic bags or containers
  • Marker
  • Replacement parts
  • Jackstands or stabilizers
  • Sandblaster
  • Welding tools
  • Epoxy primer
  • Car paint
  • Convertible top
  • Rear window
  • Seals
  • Stay pads
  • Screwdriver
  • Wrench
  • Staple remover
  • Glue
  • Staple gun and staples
  • Wood piece
  • Clamp
  • Curved iron piece
  • Portable steamer
  • Mechanic or auto body shop

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References

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