Protecting The Deck During Move

[CarolinaTKE]

I've done some searching on the forums, but I can't find where this particular set of issues has been addressed before...

Now that I'm done with law school here in Mississippi, I'm moving back to South Carolina. My girl is not allowed on the Interstate, so I'm shipping her (probably with DAS, since they moved her last time without any problems). The last time I shipped her here, I used the deck protection tape that came with the car so the hard top wouldn't cause any damage. A few questions here:

First, is it actually necessary to install any tape since the hard top is coming right back off once she arrives in South Carolina? She's not going to moving much under her own power, after all, but, then again, that's 500 miles on the back of a truck.

Second, if I do need to put something there, what can I use? I don't have any more tape and I have no idea where to get it--I bought a tape kit from Ford about three years ago that came in a neat little Thunderbird case, but it magically disappeared (along with an expensive air compressor) during my last move before I even opened it. (Darn you, Allied Van Lines!) I've seen those little chrome strips, but that seems to be a bit of an overkill since the only time I put the hard top on is when she's being moved somewhere.

To top it all off, I'm moving this coming Thursday (I found out I was moving only about a week ago), so not only do I need a cheap, flawless solution, I need a cheap, FAST, flawless solution... HELP!

[Borla Babe]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

Andrew, set your mind at ease and stop by your local hardware store and purchase some open cell tape (1/8" thickness). It's cheap, takes only a couple minutes to install and it will prevent your hardtop from scratching the sail panel. It just pulls off after you remove the hardtop. Before installation, wipe the sailpanel clean from any dirt particles, install the tape just a tad in from the outside edge of sail panel (all the way up to the driver and passenger doors) where the top sits and set the hardtop on.
Good luck on your move!

[5bird7]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

and don't forget to clean the rubber gaskets on the hardtop before putting the top on the car, even with tape in place.

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

I'm not sure how much the open cell tape costs that Julie mentioned, but a really cheap alternative for temporary use is blue painter's masking tape that can be bought at Dollar Tree for, uh, $1.00. It pulls right off without residue. Some of us have used it during the hardtop relays.

Ok, I'm cheap - I admit it.

[Lonestar]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

I am still curios as to why the car is not allowed on the interstate – got to be a story there.

[luvbirdz]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

In Ontario with the graduated licence system, new drivers are not allowed on that type of highway for the first year unless with a driving instructor.

Oh and about painters tape, that's being not cheap -- it's PRACTICAL.

[Brad]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

Since you won't be driving it if you wanna go real cheap just cut an old thin cotton towl into stips and put it under the gasket...I had an issue with the adhesive on the stips actually pulling paint up when I removed them once!

[FUN X 3]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

Clear 3-4" wide packing tape would work just fine since it's just for one trip.

[CarolinaTKE]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

These are some great suggestions! Thanks, everyone. I’ll make a run to the hardware store.

She’s not allowed on the Interstate (or on dirt roads, or in most parking lots, or near construction sites...) because I’m obsessed and paranoid when it comes to the Thunderbird and I saw what little flying rocks traveling at 80+ MPH did to the SL back in high school. I bought her brand-new in 2003 when I was 20 by working four part-time jobs and saving every penny for about two years prior, when I first saw that Ford was coming out with the new version, so I tend to (a) never drive her and (b) never park her anywhere other than in the garage, under a cover, with climate-control. I think of her more as artwork than a car, frankly.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

Admittedly, I haven't driven my 2003 Thunderbird that much over the past 5 years I've had the car. It's been more of a weekend toy than anything. It still is as it's not a very practical car for my job as an IT manager where I need to be able to haul equipment periodically. But I've had these Thunderbirds out of the garage A LOT this summer and plan to keep on doing so. It's a lot more fun than having it sit and occupy space as garage art.

[Will]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

and don't forget to clean the rubber gaskets on the hardtop before putting the top on the car, even with tape in place.

Two questions on this point. 1) What's a good product for cleaning the gasket? 2) Why would I need mylar strips (or any of the other suggested substitutes) if my '04 hardtop was made with a big fat rubber gasket on it? Are you saying that the gasket damages the car's paint?

[CarolinaTKE]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

The rubber strips on the hard top will happily chew the paint off your rear deck if you don't have anything down to stop them. As you drive, the hard top shifts slightly and starts to rub fine dust and dirt particles into the paint. Thunderbirds eventually started shipping with protection tape after the 2002 owners started voicing complaints.

As for cleaning, regular old rubbing alcohol works wonders. I also use a general rubber treatment formula every now and then to keep it from cracking or such in the future.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

"....because I’m obsessed and paranoid when it comes to the Thunderbird..."
Yep. You fit right in here, perfectly. (aren't we all)

[V8 Cat]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

The rubber strips on the hard top will happily chew the paint off your rear deck if you don't have anything down to stop them. As you drive, the hard top shifts slightly and starts to rub fine dust and dirt particles into the paint.

My theory is that the airflow across the top creates a vacum and sucks dust and dirt back toward the rear window area, and it works its way under the seal with the slight movement of the top.

[gladiator99]

Re: Protecting The Deck During Move

You could also consider the chrome strips from prostripe. They are called a wheel well moulding and costs about $20.00 for a 20' roll. the item # is 85-2005 and is easy to install. Best to install on a warm day where the moulding will bend easily around the curved areas and it will add a little bling to your t-bird. I have used it on our bird and others in our t-bird club have also used it.
When it gets scratched up you can pull it off and replace it easily. You can usually find this product at many automotive stores.
Take care.
Jim