How do you fix the c4 roof?

[XtremeVette]

I have noticed that my c4's roof has begun to come apart....The acrylic or glass part has begun to unglue fromt the frame.....any ideas what glue is to be used to repair ?


thanks
jeff

 

[paintdaddy]

I am assuming your talking about the trim not the frame.I think the trim is just held on by butly tape but almost any adhesive should do.

 

[XtremeVette]

nope actually paintdaddy...

it is the glass unglueing from the frame....not the trim part...I checked my warrantee....and its 4 years instead of 2....(like I thought) so Iam calling up AstroTops, where I bought it from.....they better replace....I be not so happy!


but thanks
jeff

 

[paintdaddy]

Good luck,Ive met that guy and he seemed like an ok guy to me but Ive heard bad things about him.

 

[XtremeVette]

yeh your right

yep....I agree..I have heard some bad things myself....I dunno....I have a better backup....I have a guy in the auto glass business and Iam hoping he can help me repair it.

crosses fingers

ttly

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Acrylic or Fiberglass

Which top are you talking about. My fiberglass one was coming apart. You didn't want to have it on going down the highway. I had visions of it becoming a big parachute.

It was a pretty easy fix though. Go to home depot or Lowes and get a tube of 5200 Marine adhesive. Carefully remove the top from the frame (a putty knife works well). Clean both surfaces real good and then run a small bead of the adhesive around the frame. There is a chanel so you will know where it should be. Flip the top upside down and set the frame on it. Use something to put some pressure on all four sides of the frame untill the adhesive sets up about two to three hours. If possible let it completely set up about 24 hours. Then re install. I havent had any problems since.

One note 5200 is white in color so it may not work as well with an acrylic top (but it seems there was a black edge around where the frame goes). If you are careful it may work just fine. My Vette came with two tops but the Acrylic one was missing when I bought it.

 

[The Car Whisperer]

I had an Acrylic top that was coming loose all along the front edge, I rebonded it to the frame using 3M Windo-Weld Super Fast Urethane adhesive. Part No. 0 51135-08609. It comes in a caulking gun size tube, costs about $8 and is more than enough to do an entire top. It is messy though, I masked my top off in the area that needed to be bonded, pried it apart in the loose area just enough to work the adhesive in between the top and the frame. Carefully scraped away any of the old loose adhesive and then worked the new adhesive in with a popsicle stick, the bond was very strong and has stood up fo 2 years now. It worked for me!

 

[XtremeVette]

The Car Whisperer....you nailed it....

Just got back from my auto glass guy...and you nailed it perfectly...I bought the exact same stuff...and he told me basically to do exactly what you said...only for me...he highly recommended that I remove the window part completely from the frame...scrape away the old urethane.....use alcohol on the glass...and clean it up to be contaminant free....then run the black goo (as he loves to call it)....onto the frame and put the two pieces together.....let dry for 24 hours, and install....


thats from a glass pro.

 

[Black Ice]

"Forget" to bolt it down go on the freeway it will fly off then call Allstate and "VOLLA" problem solved

 

[XtremeVette]

really?....

i thought that was just for the windshield.....not sure that the roof is covered the same way....I think it falls under comprehensive....and if thats the case..I have a 500 dedutable...thus...too much ....I will repair it for $15....thank you...lol


if anybody knows different with the insurance companies....let me know....jeff

 

[The Car Whisperer]

If you remove the plastic panel completely from the frame how will you be sure to get it back on in exactly the right position? The position of the panel on the frame is critical. You only have limited adjustment in the attacment points.

 

[Steve92LT1]

By the way Hrtbeat1 just to let you know, that 3M 5200 adhesive also comes in black and clear. Just harder to find, but any marine store would have it. I love that stuff, used it many times on all kinds of stuff. It will fix anything and wont come off.

 

[XtremeVette]

ahhh....a simple solution

to make sure you know where it goes.....scribe a chalk line on the inside of the glass to the frame. Make sure its dead on.

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Marine stores

Steve92LT1 the only reason I didn't mention a marine store is because not everyone has one even close by. Here on the coast they are all over but for others they may be hard to find. Most everyone has a Lowes or Home Depot around though. Most likely across the street from each other :L. A lot of the marine stores here carry it but it is never in stock. West Marine normally has it as does BoatUS. I thought it came in black but wasn't sure. Nice to know that it comes in clear also. I have to agree it is great stuff though. It will seal bare fiberglass, is completely waterproof, and even paintable. I've seen it used for all sorts of things including attaching body kits / wings to sealing foam core boats (electronics / gauge installations).

ExtremeVette I would be hestitant about scribing on the acrylic tops, maybe use a grease pencil or permanent marker or something. The best price Ive found for replacing one is around $1200. My repair was on a fiberglass top so I had the head liner as a template not to mention the exposed fiberglass from the removal (which was sealed using the same stuff by the way).

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Chalk Line

My bad I didn't notice that you said chalk line.

 

[Redbob45]

When you said your top was coming apart, I guessed it was an Astrotop!
That's what mine did within about 2 years of installing it.

Besides which, their acrylic is really bad optically - it lets light through, but doesn't have near the clarity of the OEM top.

Which was stolen during a blessedly brief visit to Detroit...

Astrotops are cheap, but I guess you get what you pay for.
- R

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

What 3M 5200 has joined, let no man put asunder!!!

This stuff is unreal. It just does not come off.

Tape off the acrylic, be very neat with your work and let it cure for 24 hours.