Doug Carner

I am preparing to instal the vinyl top on my 1969 442 and am wondering what would be best to use to seal the roof before installation (ie. POR 15, three coats of primer, etc.). I understand that the surface must be scuffed up before applying the adhesive but I want to make sure nothing gets through to the metal and causes any issues. Thanks in advance!

Olds64

Is the roof already painted?

Doug Carner

It was painted 24 years ago but never finished due to poor paint and body work. I blocked it out and got everything smooth but it is a blend of bare metal, a little filler and some paint.

Gary's 2 442-S

I would at least put some epoxy primer on the roof since you said there is some bare metal. I had painted my car when I put my vinyl top on.

droldsmorland

Paint it. You want it 100% sealed to avoid rust.

Olds64

^^^THIS^^^

You want the roof painted before prepping it for a vinyl top.

oldtruck lover

MAKE SURE the paint you use is compatible with the contact adhesive. I have had problems in the past with paint lifting when coated with contact cement..

cherokeepeople

when i painted my mom's 66 gto the whole car got painted,base/clear.week later i went to put a top on it it was on about a half hour and i noticed bubbles under it,within an hour the whole thing was bubbled.figured the clear wasn't cured,so pulled the top and striped the top and repainted,but didn't clear it this time.let car sit a couple weeks then put the top on and it was fine after that.so make sure if you paint it that it has time to cure.

Doug Carner

I really appreciate all the advice. I painted the top yesterday and will wait until it cures completely before applying the vinyl top.

Gary's 2 442-S

https://www.yourautotrim.com/noname3...EaAuS-EALw_wcB

Doug Carner

Thanks for the lead on adhesive. I bought a cheap Harbor Freight sprayer to apply it today. One problem, they won't ship the adhesive to Virginia. I'll have to ship to my son in Tennessee.

Horsepower

I just done mine and painted the top with urithan paint to seal it.