Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath

Author Topic: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath  (Read 4141 times)

Offline Chris Pauluk

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Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« on: February 01, 2017 - 05:50:51 AM »
The vinyl top has to go, I see what I assume are rust buldges underneath.. 

How do I remove the trim?   
Is the trim adhered or what?   

I tried looking for a Cuda video of a vinyl top being installed on youtube with no luck.. 
I was hoping to reverse the install from any video I found.. 

Please advise.. 
Thank you.. 
Chris Pauluk
Eagan Minnesota
1973 Plymouth Cuda 340 4spd (70 AAR clone'ish) bought it that way..




Offline turbostang7

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2017 - 06:04:35 AM »
Trim for a vinyl top is similar to all other trim, it has small clips that hold it in place. I got a trim removal tool that was able to be wiggled under, then you catch the clip, put slight pressure upwards and it should pop off. Kind of hard to describe through typing.
The videos don't have to be Cuda specific, they are similar either way.
1970 Barracuda project in the making!

Offline burdar

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2017 - 09:24:54 AM »
Vinyl top trim attachment depends on year.  1970 used metal clips that bolt through the roof...the nuts are accessed from inside the trunk.  I "think" they changed to pins/plastic clips in 71.

As for the side trim, after the weather stripping is pulled off of the channel, you'll see the screws that need to be removed.  The weather stripping channel comes off first.  Then there are separate screws that hold the drip rail trim.  There are foam/rubber gaskets between each piece.

On vinyl top cars, there is also an extra piece of trim at the base of the A-pillars on each side.  This little trim piece is held on with one screw.  That screw can be difficult to remove if it's rusted.  It's hard to get on the screw squarely since the top of the door/fender is right there.

Offline Chris Pauluk

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2017 - 06:22:49 AM »
I didn't see there was a reply to this.. 

Thanks for the tips.. 

I changed my settings so I see when someone replys.       Oops..    :)
Chris Pauluk
Eagan Minnesota
1973 Plymouth Cuda 340 4spd (70 AAR clone'ish) bought it that way..

Offline brasil

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2017 - 05:07:33 PM »
I am going to remove my vinyl top next week....  "the plan " is   first to remove the moldings that sit around the Windows  ( front /rear )..  I have the special tool for this job...  next step  is the removal of the side window roofrails...
But there is one  thing that I found a little stange - the trim that goes around the from the rear quarter windows from left to right.... how is this trim fixed ?
could see / feel  /find  nuts or something from the trunk side.... 

Thank you for a good advise - I don´t what to break anything..

Greetings Juergen

Offline Chris Pauluk

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2017 - 05:14:48 PM »
I am going to remove my vinyl top next week....  "the plan " is   first to remove the moldings that sit around the Windows  ( front /rear )..  I have the special tool for this job...  next step  is the removal of the side window roofrails...
But there is one  thing that I found a little stange - the trim that goes around the from the rear quarter windows from left to right.... how is this trim fixed ?
could see / feel  /find  nuts or something from the trunk side.... 

Thank you for a good advise - I don´t what to break anything..

Greetings Juergen
Where did you get the special trim removal tool? 


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Chris Pauluk
Eagan Minnesota
1973 Plymouth Cuda 340 4spd (70 AAR clone'ish) bought it that way..

Offline jimynick

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2017 - 07:55:46 PM »
"Special trim removal tool"? I'd be interested in seeing that myself. My 74 had a combination of T-bolts and plastic snap-on clips for the lower mldgs and the others come off as previously described.

Offline brasil

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2017 - 03:14:10 AM »
the tool for the window moldings looks like a hook...  I will take a picture later... when I am back in my garage...

my "special " question was about the Trim Molding that sits between the vinyl ( roof) and the painted body..   will take a pic also...

Greetings Juergen

Offline V8Cowboy

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2017 - 04:33:10 AM »
Due to bad availability here, I built a tool myself, which is actually a 2-minute job. Simply take a piece of sheet metal (I tried aluminium but that's only good for 3-4 clips) and cut a hook in it, then bend it so you it fits below the trim but you have a good grip, and sand it smooth not to scratch anything. Slowly lead the hook along the underside of the trim until you feel a resistance, pull it and the trim should pop off the clip.

This one is still the unsanded aluminium one, but I think you should get the shape....
« Last Edit: May 26, 2017 - 04:35:42 AM by V8Cowboy »

Offline jimynick

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2017 - 08:07:08 PM »
OH! A glass moulding tool! Got it. Be careful using one as it's not hard to catch the glass and if you do and give it a tweak, you won't be happy with the result. When you feel the tool contact something, it should have a sense of movement ever so slightly and then you know you're on a clip and not the w/s. Good luck  :cheers:

Offline brasil

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #10 on: June 04, 2017 - 03:41:23 AM »
The vinyl is GONE :)  and thanks god  - there is no rust on the roof  :bananasmi :bananasmi

Have to remove the cement....then I will paint the roof with a special paint to protect the roof against rust in the future.
on June 20th the new vinyl will be installed by a profesional


Greetings Juergen






Offline brasil

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #11 on: June 04, 2017 - 03:13:10 PM »
here are some pics.....  as you can see the   HOOK TOOL  works very well    the removal of the trim moldings was a breeze.. less than 10 minutes for all

Greetings Juergen

Offline jimynick

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #12 on: June 04, 2017 - 10:10:44 PM »
Way to go! Looks like you dodged a (rust) bullet there!  :cheers:

Offline Chris Pauluk

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Re: Vinyl top removal.. rust underneath
« Reply #13 on: June 04, 2017 - 10:15:27 PM »
here are some pics.....  as you can see the   HOOK TOOL  works very well    the removal of the trim moldings was a breeze.. less than 10 minutes for all

Greetings Juergen
Where did you find the hook tool?

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Chris Pauluk
Eagan Minnesota
1973 Plymouth Cuda 340 4spd (70 AAR clone'ish) bought it that way..

Offline 73440

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