Vinyl Roof Fitting

Post by **TyreFryer** » Sat Sep 25, 10 10:16 am

I need to fit a new vinyl roof to the Challenger, all trim etc is off and the roof has been prepped and etch primed. Can anyone recommend anybody who fits vinyl roofs?

I've had one price locally of £220 plus VAT, is this a good price? I seem to remember Derek and somebody else saying they paid around £100?

Or should I do it myself?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Sep 25, 10 10:22 am

Me & Derek fitted mine & its still on there. Take your time & get it on straight 1st time & you should be ok.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Sep 25, 10 10:25 am

I did it myself with only half my brain working. I remember it was hard work but EVERYTHING was hard work at that time. See the thread on my car.

Start by marking the center lineon the vinyl and roof. As well as the front/rear glass so you can line it up.

Place it in the roof and line it up. Fold one half over to the other side of the car. Start spraying the glue in strips about 7-10 inches wide. One strip at a time. Use a cloth to press/wipe the vinyl down. As you work towards the sides pull the vinyl as tight as you can.

It is a very good way to wax all the hair off your arms.

Don't hold the spray glue can too close as the propellant used can lift the paint.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Sep 25, 10 10:46 am

Not sure where leighton buzzard is but John Castleman at JC refinishing does them. I saw Craig68RT's being done when I was down there.

Post by **TyreFryer** » Sat Sep 25, 10 3:50 pm

What adhesive did you use Dave?

I was going to pay somebody to do it but I've got a bit carried away with what I'm having done on the bodywork and new interior parts and seals so I'm thinking I might have a go myself.

Post by **TyreFryer** » Sat Sep 25, 10 4:10 pm

Ignore that question Dave, just found the bit about the vinyl roof in your car thread on page 10, I'm reading it now. Cheers.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Sep 25, 10 8:09 pm

Try to get the 3M glue if you can as I think it may be better stuff.

Post by **TyreFryer** » Sun Oct 24, 10 6:10 pm

Well I bit the bullet today and started fitting the new vinyl roof to the Challenger. I used an infra red lamp to warm things up, electric heater in the car and a hot air gun to get rid of the persistent creases in the vinyl once stuck down (good tip Dave). I used 3M Scotch-Weld 80 contact adhesive which isn't re-positionable so I had to get it right first time, I almost bottled out because of this. But thanks to excellent help from Sideshow Bob it went on a treat. Only problem was I only bought 2 cans of adhesive which theoretically should have been enough, but I ran out after only finishing between the seams!!!

Oh well, I'll order another 3 cans and post up the results when it's finished.

Thanks for the tips this morning Derek!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sun Oct 24, 10 7:41 pm

Could have sworn I only used two cans.

Mind you they were quite large and I probably should have put it on thicker.

Post by **TyreFryer** » Sun Oct 24, 10 7:55 pm

I put 2 to 3 coat on each surface, spec sheet said 7 sq meters per can.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sun Oct 24, 10 8:02 pm

Good to see you getting stuck in Martin, hope it's ready for the NEC.

Post by **TyreFryer** » Sun Oct 24, 10 8:53 pm

Cheers Derek, don't want to let uncle Ivor down.

RobTwin · Post by **RobTwin** » Mon Oct 25, 10 12:15 am

Stu & i were wondering yesterday whether you were one of the chosen few!

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Wed Oct 27, 10 9:03 pm

Nice

I used 5 cans of that stuff on my roof.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Oct 28, 10 8:29 am

Top job Tin Tin. Looking forward to seeing it.