DIY Network

1962 Fort T-Bird Restoration: Convertible Top, Part 3 From "Classic Car Restoration" episode DCR-308

	Lynn Goins, automotive restoration and upholstery expert.
	Lynn Goins and host Steve Magnante prepare for replacement of the convertible-top canvas cover and rear window panel.

When we purchased our '62 Thunderbird project car, its convertible top was in terrible condition. The car had been stored for a number of years indoors, but the top was dried, shrunken and torn, so it had to be replaced. We were able to locate a replacement-top kit from one of the Thunderbird restoration houses for just under $200.

Because this installation is fairly complex, we enlisted the help of Lynn Goins, a skilled automotive restoration upholsterer. Replacing the top is a job that experienced do-it-yourselfers may want to attempt, but novices may prefer to let the pros do it.

In summary, the major steps in the process are:

• Inspect tack strips and replace any that are bad.
  
• Install top pads.
  
• Install window curtain.
  
• Install new main-canvas.
  
• Install welting trim to conceal seams.

Materials:

Standard automotive tools
Canvas-top kit
Replacement tack strips
Pneumatic tools and air compressor
Pneumatic rivet gun
Pneumatic staple gun
Construction adhesive
Work light

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.

Following is a summary of the steps as performed by Lynn Goins and host Steve Magnante in our demonstration.

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The '62 T-bird's trunk lid raises and lowers to permit concealment of the convertible top.

Installing a New Canvas Top

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.

Tip: The canvas-top kit comes in several pieces. The clear window-curtain may have wrinkles from packing and shipping. It's a good idea to hang the clear curtain in front of a work light to warm it and help get the wrinkles out. Use caution not to hang it so close to the source of heat that it could melt.

• The first major step is to install new tack strips around the base of the window-curtain area (figures A and B). The old rubber tack-strips were dry and hard, so they were removed earlier.

  Figure A

  Figure B

  
  
• New after-market rubber tack-strips can be purchased from specialty parts suppliers, but Lynn prefers to make his own using oak strips. He simply cuts narrow pieces of the wood and notches the ones that curve around the sides. He coats those with construction adhesive which will make the tack strips strong and secure (figure C).

• Small holes are drilled into the tack strips and fastened using rivets and a pneumatic rivet gun (figure D). Lynn continues around the base of the window until all the tack strips are installed. In addtion to the rear tack strips, there are strips along each bow of the frame and the front.

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  
• The most critical step of installing a convertible top is to measure the back window and secure the frame so that the canvas will fit. Lynn does this by installing a strap to hold the back bow in place. He simply staples the temporary strap to the bow and lower deck tack strips (figure E).

• Once the back bow is secured, Lynn adds the top pads -- vinyl strips with liner felt and fabric. These top pads will keep the frame straight and aligned and protect the canvas edges (figure F).

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  
• The top pad is stapled to the tack strips on the front and rear bows. Lynn also staples the pad to the middle bows (figure G). He then adds a felt liner that is secured using both staples and contact cement. The cement is applied to both the felt and the vinyl. The vinyl is then pulled taut and stapled.

• The side liner pieces are also glued down using the contact cement. The excess fabric is trimmed away (figure H, completing the installation of the top pads.

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  
• With the top pads holding the frame in place, Lynn can remove the temporary strip that held the back bow down to the window deck.

• The window is then held in place (figure I), pulling the plastic as taut as possible and Lynn begins securing it with staples, starting with the center point and working out.

• Lynn then pulls the fabric to the outer corners and secures them (figure J), and the rest of the edges can be stapled in place.

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  
• With the rear window in place, work can begin installing the main top-canvas. The key to installing the top canvas is to start in the middle and work your way out. Lynn first secures the side flaps at the edge of the windows (figure K).

• He then adjusts the canvas and makes sure everything is fitting properly along the door frame in the rear window area. It's important to make sure that this seam is centered on the bow (figure L).

  Figure K

  Figure L

  
  
• Lynn pulls the back window flaps down and secures them on both sides of the car using staples. He then secures the canvas to the top of the window area (figure M).

• To secure the front area, we raise the front edge up, pull the canvas forward (figure N) and mark the leading edge with chalk.

  Figure M

  Figure N

  
  

  Figure O

• The convertible top is then raised so that it's possible to staple the front edge (figure O) leaving some slack in the canvas.

• The fabric is pulled forward and Lynn staples it to the front bow. Once the top is lowered fully, it will help pull the canvas taut.

• Lynn also checks the fit from inside the car and trims away any excess fabric around the latches.
  
• At the back of the car, we take the top edge of the canvas that overlaps the window curtain and staple it down to the back bow, then trim away the excess fabric.

• That leaves room to staple the back edge of the top piece onto the same back-bow tack strip (figure P).

• This essentially completes the main-canvas installation, and the fabric will be taut and secure. All that's left is to install trim pieces that will cover the seams and staples.

• The seams and staples are covered with welting strips (figure Q). The strips are simply stapled on, and the top edge is folded over so that no staples show. A tack hammer is used to press the welting strips down.

• Finally, chrome tips are installed on the ends of the welting. The tips are secured with screws to the tack strip.

  Figure P

  Figure Q

  
  

Tip: If there are wrinkles in your newly installed top resulting from folds in packing, park the T-bird in the sun with the convertible top up. The heat from the sun will help make the wrinkles disappear.

In the episode that follows, the finishing touches are put on the restored '62 Thunderbird, and it's taken for its first test drive.

RESOURCES :

Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
Order this book from Amazon.com
Haynes Publishing

Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners and Restorers of Classic and Collectible Automobiles
1557881944
Jim Richardson
(November 1994)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
H.P. Books

Thunderbird Restoration Guide, 1958-1966 (Motorbooks International Authentic Restoration Guides)
by William Wonder
Published by Motorbooks International, June 1997
ASIN: 0760303908
To order this book from Amazon.com, click here.

Illustrated Thunderbird Buyer's Guide (Motorbooks International Illustrated Buyer's Guide)
by Paul G. McLaughlin
Publisher: Motorbooks International (July 2000)
ASIN: 0879388706
To order this book from Amazon.com, click here.

Larry's Thunderbird and Mustang Parts
Fullerton, CA
Thunderbird and Mustang specialty parts. Suppliers for the convertible-top canvas-kit installed on our Thunderbird.
www.larrystbird.com

GUESTS :

Lynn Goins, automotive upholsterer
LaFollette, TN