Cure Time Before Vinyl Top?

C

camaroman7d

I'm working on a 70 Nova that I plan to have a vinyl top installed on (original vinyl top car). I stripped the car to bare metal, then SPI epoxy, etc..

What are you guys doing as far as paint cure time before installing the top? Would I be better off not painting and clearing the top of the car and leaving it in epoxy? I will be using SPI Universal Clear.

If everything goes well I would like to have color on the car by the end of the month. The little bit of information I could find out there about vinyl tops installation says wait 90 days for paint to cure. Obviously I do not want to have to wait that long. My inderstanding is that factory cars had very little if any paint under the tops.

I have always removed vinyl tops, this will be the first car (and I have owned many) that will actually be getting a vinyl top installed on it.

Let me know what's best if bc/cc and waiting 90 days is a must for best long term results that's what I will do.
 
I really don't think there's any issue after a 1 week cure in good temps, epoxy alone would provide enough protection, I've also shot a few coats of singlestage under the top area. You could install the top less the mouldings, then shoot the rest of the car if you're worried about damage during the top install. Lay that vinyl on the roof for a few days prior if possible so it relaxes. Some like to glue the centerline first and let it set for a day then glue the rest. If it gets stretched too far it will eventually shrink and pull out of the drip rails and glass openings-the factory used some kind of rivet or staple in the glass openings. I have an all original 70SS 396/375 vinyl top car here if you need any photos or reference.
 
Ok thanks for the information. 90 days sure seemed like a long time to wait. If I get paint on the car in the next 4 to 6 weeks, the temps will be well above 90* for several weeks. I would think that should do the trick after a couple weeks sitting outside.

If you have pictures and want to add them to this thread that would be great. I could also use a shot of the rear SS panel/tail light area. I will be addint the SS panel and want to make sure I get it right.
 
Here's a few pics. On the vinyl top you can see the factory staked the corners and the seams with what appears to be nails, you could use small screws to serve the same purpose. The tailamp panel doesn't align perfectly in height with the tailamps on this one but it is all original. DSCN2797.jpg

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Thank You!! I am not sure if the SS panel is supposed to line up perfectly, that's why I asked for the pictures. Seems like some are even with the top of the lights and others aren't. I will just have to make it slighlty adjustable so I can place it where I want.

Thanks again for taking the time to snap and post the pictures.
 
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