long term hardtop installation

[Welker]

We are considering a long term installation of the hardtop. We have had the car since it was new and have put the top on it for two winters because the weather here is mild. However, we have noticed that we seldom put the top down these days and are considering putting the hard top on more or less permanently. In the past, we have covered the soft top with a sheet before putting it down. I have also put a generous amount of acrylic polish on the paint where the rubber contacts it and a lot of 303 aerospace protectant on the rubber. Does anybody have any suggestions for this kind of long term installation which could stretch into years?

[BirdsAndBugs]

I have the hardtops on my 2 Thunderbirds pretty much all the time. I've always preferred the look with the hardtop and my wife has had 2 other convertibles until recently if we felt the urge to drive top-down.

Really, I've never done much of anything other than just wax the car. Has there been any damage from the hardtops, maybe a teeny scratch or two but nothing significant. Usually I can fix that up with Scratch Doctor just fine too once I do remove the top.

I keep my cars as clean as possible, but after 15 years I've stopped worrying about every minor rock chip and such. Touch it up, move on, and enjoy the car.

[007Cruiser]

I keep mine on the car a lot. Installed the stainless steel protection strips some time ago. Never had a single problem. The sheet over the soft top is probably overkill.

[Blue Heaven]

I would suggest having the xpel kit for the hardtop installed. It goes under both sides and covers the entire sail panel where the third brake light is Have had it installed on my car for nearly ten years and while my top isn't on for months at a time, its done a great job of protecting the paint.

I wouldn't worry about putting anything over the convertible top, its protected in the well. It will however create permanent creases where it folds after being down for a very long time.

[Birdlover]

In our current situation for the past 3 years we don’t have sufficient storage for all the hardtops so one is always on the car except for an occasional day when I want to be topless. Have had no issues with the soft top or permanent folds. To protect the paint we have had the stainless protection for several years.

[428PI]

So let me get this straight. To protect the paint you put on a permanent stainless steal protector or does it get removed when the hard top is off? It seems redundent. Why not put on a stainless steel protector when and if the paint gets damaged-not before.

[Birdlover]

So let me get this straight. To protect the paint you put on a permanent stainless steal protector or does it get removed when the hard top is off? It seems redundent. Why not put on a stainless steel protector when and if the paint gets damaged-not before.

The original owner of 5 years never took the hardtop off and did not use the Mylar strips so the paint is badly scratched from top movement. Stainless strips just about cover all the paint damage and make the hardtop fit tighter without movement.

[007Cruiser]

So let me get this straight. To protect the paint you put on a permanent stainless steal protector or does it get removed when the hard top is off? It seems redundent. Why not put on a stainless steel protector when and if the paint gets damaged-not before.

I had some very small scratches and the strips covered them well. They stay on all the time. So I guess I have followed your suggestion. Looks good when the top is off too.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

So let me get this straight. To protect the paint you put on a permanent stainless steal protector or does it get removed when the hard top is off? It seems redundent. Why not put on a stainless steel protector when and if the paint gets damaged-not before.

Leave the strips on...they are also getting harder to find

[Quickdraw]

I would suggest having the xpel kit for the hardtop installed. It goes under both sides and covers the entire sail panel where the third brake light is Have had it installed on my car for nearly ten years and while my top isn't on for months at a time, its done a great job of protecting the paint.

I wouldn't worry about putting anything over the convertible top, its protected in the well. It will however create permanent creases where it folds after being down for a very long time.

Ditto, looks like the Xpel kit is $39.. item UP4760_4-U http://www.xpel.com/paint-protection...underbird/Base

[AyPapiii]

We are considering a long term installation of the hardtop. We have had the car since it was new and have put the top on it for two winters because the weather here is mild. However, we have noticed that we seldom put the top down these days and are considering putting the hard top on more or less permanently. In the past, we have covered the soft top with a sheet before putting it down. I have also put a generous amount of acrylic polish on the paint where the rubber contacts it and a lot of 303 aerospace protectant on the rubber. Does anybody have any suggestions for this kind of long term installation which could stretch into years?

You are just the type owner I seek out when buying a car. I applaud your concern and effort.

I have looked at a bunch of Thunderbirds over the last few years. By far the majority of the lighter colored tops are marred with grease, mildew and show wear at the creases. This is not something I have seen with other cars and have wondered if it is related to a misdesign.

The stainless strip to protect body from the tops movement sounds like a good investment as does taking the time to cover the top with a sheet. I wonder if anyone has tried moisture absorbing packs.

[BirdsAndBugs]

The original owner of 5 years never took the hardtop off and did not use the Mylar strips so the paint is badly scratched from top movement. Stainless strips just about cover all the paint damage and make the hardtop fit tighter without movement.

If there is as much damage as you say, then the top was most likely not properly secured in place or the paint was damaged when the hard top was being put in place or removed.

The top should be placed on the car. The front screws tightened and then pull the levers to secure the back end of the top. If it is done correctly, there really shouldn't be any issues as I've owned these cars for 15 and 10 years respectively.

[steelblue5505]

Greg(Black Beauty) is incorrect in saying the stainless steel trim pieces are difficult to find.
He is correct if you are seeking the old style that had been sold by T-Concepts but most of those were narrow at 3/8" & if you also purchased the door sill trim kit found that those trim kits were either the narrow or the wider at 3/4" and a improper fit to the hard top protection kit.

There is a brand new kit out that combines both the Hard Top trim kit and the Door Sill trim kit. All 5 pieces match and the Door Trim Kit extends forward under the mirrors to the door's leading edge. All 5 pieces are 3/4" wide very nice. Best of all these pieces are very smoothly cut unlike some of the ones from earlier years.

[Quickdraw]

If there is as much damage as you say, then the top was most likely not properly secured in place or the paint was damaged when the hard top was being put in place or removed.

The top should be placed on the car. The front screws tightened and then pull the levers to secure the back end of the top. If it is done correctly, there really shouldn't be any issues as I've owned these cars for 15 and 10 years respectively.

In an ideal world you might be right, however dirt and grime finds its way under or adjacent to the rear hardtop rubber seal. As the car goes over twisty bumps, RR tracks, etc the hardtop moves a little and in time the abrasive action will wear thru the clear coat. Frequent washing would minimize the effect.

[Quickdraw]

Greg(Black Beauty) is incorrect in saying the stainless steel trim pieces are difficult to find.
He is correct if you are seeking the old style that had been sold by T-Concepts but most of those were narrow at 3/8" & if you also purchased the door sill trim kit found that those trim kits were either the narrow or the wider at 3/4" and a improper fit to the hard top protection kit.

There is a brand new kit out that combines both the Hard Top trim kit and the Door Sill trim kit. All 5 pieces match and the Door Trim Kit extends forward under the mirrors to the door's leading edge. All 5 pieces are 3/4" wide very nice. Best of all these pieces are very smoothly cut unlike some of the ones from earlier years.

Gee, I wonder where we could buy these kits....