Targa top

[showtime]

Bought a targa top off Ebay,When the person packed the top some of the packing tape left marks. At first it looked like tape residue but nothing touches the marks,now I'm thinking it may have removed the finish.What to do and what to use? It's a GM top. Any suggestions appreciated. Showtime

 

[Rob]

Bought a targa top off Ebay,When the person packed the top some of the packing tape left marks. At first it looked like tape residue but nothing touches the marks,now I'm thinking it may have removed the finish.What to do and what to use? It's a GM top. Any suggestions appreciated. Showtime

Showtime, I would try using a wax cleaner which has a very small amount of abrasive in it to see if you can remove whatever is on the panel, assuming that the adhesive did not rip the paint off. I have a hard time believing that the finish would be ripped off from tape unless the panel was previously re-painted and not properly cured. That's my guess as I'm not a body/paint specialist, but that's how I would personally approach it first before bringing it to a professional to have them evaluate it.

 

[showtime]

Thanks for the come back Rob, my mistake in not specifying its a glass top {acrylic}.IT looks as though the tape took the tinted finish with it when removed. I tried 3m adheisve remover--nothing. Wanted to get some input before trying anything else since i have no clue, maybe 1000 grit wet sanding? Any suggestions? Showtime

 

[Rob]

Oh, ok....I didn't realize you were talking about the acrylic top. I'm not sure what the best option would be. I guess here's what I would do: go go the Portal section by clicking the tab at the top of this page. Under Parts and Accessories, look under the Glass category. There is at least one company listed in there that deals with acrylic tops.....Astro Tops is there name. Check them out along with any others listed in that category. Check out there web sites and see if they offer any refinishing or repair services on roof panels and then call them up and see if they are willing to provide any recommendations to you on how to proceed. Keep us posted on this and good luck!

 

[showtime]

Many thanks Rob, Will keep you posted. Showtime

 

[rjsmith]

Bought a targa top off Ebay,When the person packed the top some of the packing tape left marks. At first it looked like tape residue but nothing touches the marks,now I'm thinking it may have removed the finish.What to do and what to use? It's a GM top. Any suggestions appreciated. Showtime

Meguiar's makes a polish for plastic designed to remove scratches. It works on Lexan face shields on full coverage helmets to remove scratches (trust me), but it has it's limits. I happen to have a Bronze roof panel sitting in my dining room from my '92 C4. I will inspect it to see if there is some type of finish on top of the acrylic (perhaps the "tint") and let you know what I find. If the tint layer was pulled off by the tape adhesive there may be little you can do.

BTW, and FWIW, Mosbacher makes a spray that dissolves adhesives safely, removing the residue. The only drawback is the pungent smell.

A blow-dryer also works to soften the gunk and make it easier to remove (I used one to remove the airbag labels from my sunvisors and it worked like a charm, no damage to the visor covering at all).

Ray

 

[showtime]

thanks Ray, I will look for the meguiars, real shame the top was beautieful now I have a big X across it paid 500 for it would imagine if I need to send it out the cost would put me close to the cost of a new after market top. so much for saving a few bucks. Before I go that route I will try your suggestions, any input appreciated Showtime

 

[rjsmith]

We used to drive through Egg Harbor on the way to Wildwood back in the '60s. Then they completed the AC Expressway and it was faster to take that to the Garden State Parkway. It wasn't as much fun on the expressway though.

Is Zaberer's still in operation?

I checked my bronze-tint top and it does not appear that the tint is a coating or film. It appears that the acrylic was bronze-tinted before it was molded. You might be able to salvage it if you expend a lot of elbow grease. Otherwise do this. Look in Corvette Fever and Vette magazine for ads for companies that sell refurbished tops. I seem to remember that the "salvage" value of a damaged top was rather high. Maybe you can get more for the top as a core exchange than you paid for it, or just sell it to them outright. They buy them.

I just checked the September 2001 issue of Corvette Fever and there is an ad on page 79 from Thompson Astro Tops & Performance Products (800 239 2659). They say "We pay top dollar for broken 1978-presnt Vette roof panels". They list 1984-1996 tops as $449 with rebuild Exchange. Eckler's catalog lists them for $1,295 and they are refurbished, not new OEM.

I may call and ask what they'll give me for mine. It was never used.

Good luck.

Ray

 

[showtime]

Zaberers went out of business about twenty years ago, alot has changed around these parts you cant even get into wildwood on summer weekends,to many people. If you make those calls let me know what you find out. Showtime