Hello. Not sure if this is the right area. My vinyl roof on my 1984 AMC Eagle has one spot near the back window where the seem has started to go and one area along the top of the roof where it is also starting to share sings of wearing down. I was wondering if there are any good kits or methods to repair it that do not require a new roof. Just something to stop any water from getting underneath, does not have to look pretty either what ever works the best.
I don't know what any others here might suggest, but I'd pull it all off.
On the 2 or 4 door eagle, those two rear side windows (the opera windows) are prone to rotting. the water/moisture gets under the vinyl roof, and rot that area badly.
If that was my car (or if I owned either a 2 or 4 door) I would get rid of all the vinyl roof completely. before I had serious rot.
Pull it all off, and don't put it back on. They look awful in my opinion, and basically what Whuntmore said. They trap moisture under it and just eat it away. I've pulled a few off, and it's never pretty underneith.
i too say remove it and be done with it. and i'm sure alot of other nesters will agree with us.
My 2-door had the vinyl roof painted and that seems to be working out well. No idea what kind of preparation they used before the paint. Back in the day, vinyl top wax was used to keep them looking good and rain tight. The vinyl top wax came in many colors, something like shoe polish. I don't know if it is still available or not, but it stopped and shrank the rust on my 67 Dodge Monaco roof with constant use.
I suppose I didn't really answer your question properly.
I think there is some kind of vinyl repair out there, as there is vinyl repair for interior for cars. I just don't know of any.
I'm not sure, do you really want to keep the vinyl top/look? From your question, it sounds like you're just looking for a solution so it looks good?
whether or not you want the vinyl to look good, or you just want the car to look good - I can't tell here.
Really two options here - Tear off the old vinyl, and redo it (either professionally or by yourself) because trying to 'repair' it will probably be a waste of time. It's gonna cause sooo much other rot (and we're talking body/metal/structure rot here) that any patches you do, won't be worth it. Also this will give you a chance to see if there IS any rot under the vinyl, and repair it before you car has some serious holes in it, and it's leaking water thru every pane of glass.
Or
You can remove it, and considering yourself lucky that the car isn't rotting far worse then it might be now. Take it all off, and fix any rust/rot, and then paint it. Forget about having a vinyl roof over the metal roof.
I removed mine, used a heat gun to remove the glue. I had some rot I had to treat, then bondo, sand and paint. It looks like a whole new car now. Once they rip, water gets in and then you get rust. It takes a while to do all of that, but it's worth it. I should have some pics tomorrow
@brownbear,
Yes pls post some pics on that. If I remember correctly, you did have some rot under there. Seems most people who have vinyl roofs have rot.
I like the vinyl roof personally, and vote that you should keep it and have a new one put back on. But if you just want the car to get you from A to B and don't care about how it looks then you should just remove it and don't put it back on. It would be pretty pricey to have it professionally put back on. So it's up to you and your budget.
A lot of time and work........(http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/brownbear87/theeagleisdone009.jpg)
(http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/brownbear87/theeagleisdone011.jpg)
(http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/brownbear87/theeagleisdone010.jpg)
(http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/brownbear87/theeagleisdone003.jpg)
Brown Bear, that looks awesome! Nice work - Eggs to you!
Eagle1983, Unless you really want the Vinyl look, check out those pics - That looks really good.
Ok wow, that does look really really really good.
Hats off to you brownbear! :occasion14:
Those are nice pictures. How much did it cost to remove the vinyl roof and glue, also can a person keep the silver trim on that is around the windows and the top area above the doors, do like the chrome on the car. Are there any textures I could use in the paint. Also how hard would it be for a body shop to match 26 year old paint, barely have the money to get the window sweeps and channels replaced. Also are there any good alternatives to vinyl roof wax. I have tried to find some but have not had any luck so far.
At the least, if you are going to have the roof replaced, go ahead and strip it off yourself then give the top a good once-over with some sandpaper, bondo any minor spots, and put some paint on it. Since the vinyl will hide minor irregularities, you can just brush on the paint. It will protect the roof from any water that gets behind the vinyl seams.
Matching old paint can be hard, and they'll have to blend the paint even if they can get the color almost perfect. The biggest part of any cost is the removal and prep, so if you can handle that yourself you should be able to save over half the cost. I've never had to price anything myself, just deal with insurance, so I don't know what the real costs are.