Help! Acrylic top help

[RLDaily]

The exterior of my acrylic top is absolutely trashed, worn, horrible and has a couple of spider cracks on the pax side
Probably old questions but here we go....

1st...If I'm correct early model C4's had a fiberglass top...am I correct?

2nd....If there is a fiberglass top will it fit on a '90 coupe?

If not to the above.......

3rd...Can the acrylic top be painted?

4th...If the acrylic top can be painted then what type of primer and paint can be used without melting the acrylic?

If painting is ok my plan would be

1. Stop drill the cracking
2. Gelcoat the cracks to seal them (very thin coat primarily to fill the cracks)
3. Sand the top
4. Prime
5. Paint & clear coat

Waddya think?

 

[Schrade]

Acrylic cracks can successfully be filled with fine or shredded fiberglass cloth.

The hard part is getting it into the cracks CLEANLY. Use a pin or single-edge blade, and get it in as tightly as possible. Then apply superglue (cyanoACRYLATE), a LITTLE at a time, and allow each little bit it to completely harden. Work from the end of the crack to the edge. Bubbles and impurities are the only concerns.

You'll get a white vapor residue around the repair, but that's not a problem removing. 2000 grit, rubbing compound, then polishing compound.

If done perfectly, you will have an invisible repair. If not, then depending on how much tint in the glass, it might still be hard to see. If you're going to paint, you can't go wrong, unless you have 11 thumbs.

 

[gmjunkie]

Acrylic cracks can successfully be filled with fine or shredded fiberglass cloth.

The hard part is getting it into the cracks CLEANLY. Use a pin or single-edge blade, and get it in as tightly as possible. Then apply superglue (cyanoACRYLATE), a LITTLE at a time, and allow each little bit it to completely harden. Work from the end of the crack to the edge. Bubbles and impurities are the only concerns.

You'll get a white vapor residue around the repair, but that's not a problem removing. 2000 grit, rubbing compound, then polishing compound.

If done perfectly, you will have an invisible repair. If not, then depending on how much tint in the glass, it might still be hard to see. If you're going to paint, you can't go wrong, unless you have 11 thumbs.

Alls your building there is a Flying Guillotine to take some unsuspecting Open Cockpit Enthusiasts, Biker or Pedestrians head off!!!:ugh:ugh:ugh If the lexan is cracked completely through,it is deteriorated past the point of being safe!!:eyerole:eyerole:eyerole
Replace the frigging top,I'm purdy sure it wont pass NHTSA Safety requirements!
Solid Fiberglass,New Factory or Re-lensed tops are readily available,No need in risk of killing somebody!!!:W:W:W

 

[nelson84]

Hit ebay I got a new on for next to nothing. If you want a painted top there are some of those on ebay as well.

 

[Schrade]

:confused Flying guillotine? Cracked all the way through?

@OP... Is this top cracked all the way through - into TWO PIECES???

 

[PAULIE B]

The exterior of my acrylic top is absolutely trashed, worn, horrible and has a couple of spider cracks on the pax side
Probably old questions but here we go....

1st...If I'm correct early model C4's had a fiberglass top...am I correct?

2nd....If there is a fiberglass top will it fit on a '90 coupe?

If not to the above.......

3rd...Can the acrylic top be painted?

4th...If the acrylic top can be painted then what type of primer and paint can be used without melting the acrylic?

If painting is ok my plan would be

1. Stop drill the cracking
2. Gelcoat the cracks to seal them (very thin coat primarily to fill the cracks)
3. Sand the top
4. Prime
5. Paint & clear coat

Waddya think?

IF IT'S THAT BAD, JUST BUY A NEW ONE! DON'T EVEN PLAY AROUND SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE!!! MINE IS NOT CRACKED BUT IT'S SPIDER WEBBING. THE HEAT COMING THRU THE GLASS IS UNBELIEVABLE. I PICKED UP FROM CA A HEAT VISOR.IT WORKS OK THE ONLY THING IS IT SAGS. IT CAME WITH 3-SUCTION CUPS THEY DON'T HOLD TOO WELL. GOOD LUCK! :cool

 

[RLDaily]

I said spider cracks guys....we used to stop drill and lace cracks in the plexigalss windshields and windows of UH-1 helicopters if they were only an inch or two in length...just like what I have except what I have are on the outside edge exactly centered over the the pax door.

I just wasn't sure about the acrylic.........I'm just looking for an easy solution that can last a bit, I have a wife, 4 grown kids (33-41 yrs old), 15 grandchildren and they pretty much drain the cash.

Oh yeah, I understand the safety aspects with my being a medically retired police officer with an undergrad degree in Occupational Safety and a licensed A&P Mechanic...But thanks for the thought

 

[Schrade]

I said spider cracks guys....we used to stop drill and lace cracks in the plexigalss windshields and windows of UH-1 helicopters if they were only an inch or two in length...just like what I have except what I have are on the outside edge exactly centered over the the pax door.

I just wasn't sure about the acrylic.........I'm just looking for an easy solution that can last a bit, I have a wife, 4 grown kids (33-41 yrs old), 15 grandchildren and they pretty much drain the cash.

Oh yeah, I understand the safety aspects with my being a medically retired police officer with an undergrad degree in Occupational Safety and a licensed A&P Mechanic...But thanks for the thought

I know the drill gig; the bit has to be sharp. Spreads the stress load. Like an aluminum can - stand carefully, with the load spread, it will hold you. Put a kink in it, it will fold like paper.

Fiberglass and superglue will work just fine...

 

[So Bay Vetter]

If it's old enough to crack once, it will crack again. You're retired PD? How 'bout putting some feelers out at the impound yard?

 

[RLDaily]

I appreciate the help guys. Any repair attempted would be temp at best. I'm already huntin' a top like a hungry dog going after a raw burger.

Like I said, I'm planning, but planning ain't doing.

I've been out of law enforcement long enough that most of the folks I worked with are either retired, dead or imprisioned