plastic strips

[Ski]

Re: plastic strips

Too late, I've already got 'roof rash' on the Bird. Any suggestions about how to get rid of it, other than a trip to the body shop?

[PaBlkBrd]

Re: plastic strips

Meguiars SCRATCH X then wax of your choice

[Blue Heaven]

Re: plastic strips

I have many times thought of finding someone who does this stuff to use an original Ford strip as the template and cut some using X-pel or 3M material. I just have not put any time into this for I find it hard to find time recently.

Lonestar,
That's exactly what I did. I took the Ford strips to my Xpel installer and he used them as templates to cut new strips. Worked great.

If anyone is interested, I could check to see if he would be willing to make us some sets.

[Lonestar]

Re: plastic strips

Lonestar,
That's exactly what I did. I took the Ford strips to my Xpel installer and he used them as templates to cut new strips. Worked great.
If anyone is interested, I could check to see if he would be willing to make us some sets.

If the "cut" was accurate to the originals then absolutely I would be interested depending on price.

[Welker]

Re: plastic strips

Does the chrome stripping available solve the problem of "roof rash" caused by not using the plastic strips?

[MidNiteRiders]

Re: plastic strips

We bought the chrome strips right after we bought our bird in fall of 2007. It definitely works. Some do not like the look but we think it looks good on our Evening Black and it is functional.

[bwlewis]

Re: plastic strips

Have to agree with MidNiteRiders.....

[justjon]

Re: plastic strips

The stainless steel strips are a good solution if Mcguires Scrath X doesn't work.

[TexasRRP]

Re: plastic strips

I am a pharmacist and for many years I have used a 3M product called Scotch Brand No. 800 Prescription Label Tape to protect prescription labels. I have also used it to put signs in windows exposed to UV light and heat, and it will hold up there for years. Given the price of the Mylar strips from Ford, I decided to try it with my hard top for winter '08-'09. I used the 3/4" width (comes up to 3"), and it came off this spring with no damage to paint. There was a little adhesive residue that I removed with naphtha (zippo lighter fluid). The tape came off easily except for where I folded the tape under the lip. I won't do that again. Had to scrape it off the edge with my thumbnail and naphtha.

Because it is clear, it really doesn't show, it is fairly easy to remove, and it protected the finish. It is probably available only from pharmacy suppliers, so ask your pharmacist to order you a roll (has 3" core) of the 3/4" tape. They can get it from their pharmaceutical wholesaler from whom they get daily orders. About $6 and will last forever. The tape I used was from a roll I'd had for about 12 years! Use it whenever you need to make a repair that will last. DON"T accept anything but Scotch Brand No. 800. There are some cheap imitation, mostly foreign made, Rx label tapes out there, but they aren't any good.

[nj susan]

Re: plastic strips

We use open cell insulation tape. Put it on the car, then place the top on. Remove in the spring, not a mark on the car. Plus the bonus of some insulation to the outside noise. Roll costs under $3.00.

[FritsB]

Re: plastic strips

Wouldn't it be possible to find a suitable material and trace/cut out a new set from it?

You can buy Mylar tape in any shop for sailing equipment.
They use it to repair rips in sails. It comes in various withs.
I used that first year, but it's quite a bit of work to cut the shapes.
It's cheap though, since a roll of mylar cost no more then 9 euro's (about $12). It's the same stuff as Ford uses, but maybe a bit thinner.

I now have the SS strips from QAA. They work great, look good and cost less then the Ford strips also.