Taking the vinyl top off my 69 Newport

[Rustyrodknocker]

Im glad to see Im not the only one that has found this rust issue around the windshields and back glass. I have same problem with my 68 300, not quite as bad as some. I thought about fixing mine and leaving vinyl top off and painting it. It came with green top over gold so Im not sure yet which to go. The windshield doesnt seem to be that bad but body fill on roof pillar seams are in bad shape. Hoping I can do must myself, the pics some of you guys posted helps me alot.

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Drivers seam doesn't look to bad. Wire wheel the **** out of it then get some rust mort or similar phosphoric solution and treat it. Then use a reinforced or metal filler.

Patching the window channel will keep you busy for sure. I would focus on one window at a time and one side of one window.

Definitely ditch the vinyl unless it rarely sees the sun or rain just not worth it.

 

[Gelgoog13]

Spent the last couple of weeks doing some patching. We threw a spray can black primer on to keep the bare spots from rusting. After looking at the back window channel from below, we decided to try patching it with all metal putty. If it doesn't work we can try new metal when we repaint her this winter.

 

[Gelgoog13]

Got the a pillar patch in with no problems. So starting to prep the top for a more permanent black primer.

 

[carguy300]

Are you going to repaint the roof or go back with vinyl? I have the same issue with my 68. I am thinking of trying that metal repair and painting my roof same as body color and get away from vinyl. The body seams you redid look real good. Keep posting progress pics if you can, cant wait to end results.

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

If you are just going to run it for the summer or even a few years you can getva quart of rustoleum and a foam roller from home cheapo. I have done it on several cars.

 

[carguy300]

That seems easy enough. Main concern is fixen rust damage without having to remove back glass.

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

That seems easy enough. Main concern is fixen rust damage without having to remove back glass.

Pulling the glass is pretty easy. Get a cheap flimsy steak knife a work your way around the inside. Pretty easy if it's warm out.

 

[carguy300]

Pulling the glass is pretty easy. Get a cheap flimsy steak knife a work your way around the inside. Pretty easy if it's warm out.

Summer time in texas, its warm! Hate to break the glass. The windshield has to be replaced, its got big cracks in it. Ill practice on that one first!

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

Summer time in texas, its warm! Hate to break the glass. The windshield has to be replaced, its got big cracks in it. Ill practice on that one first!

Yea thats warm enough. It won't break if you take you time. Don't pry on the glass just cut your way through the sealant. Buy a roll of butyl rubber. Some of them will damn near fall out. Make sure it's clean when you reinstall.

 

[Rubatoguy]

Do you have any photos of the C pillar before you started working on it? I am facing the same issue and was wondering what yours looked like. Did you have to remove the headliner to keep shavings from falling though?

 

[carguy300]

This is what mine is like at the moment, my headliner was already removed when I bought the car. Ive got alot of sanding and grinding to do and then filler.

 

[Gelgoog13]

Are you going to repaint the roof or go back with vinyl? I have the same issue with my 68. I am thinking of trying that metal repair and painting my roof same as body color and get away from vinyl. The body seams you redid look real good. Keep posting progress pics if you can, cant wait to end results.

Definitely going to paint the top. Going to put it in black primer for the summer. We've been planning on stripping and repainting over the winter. She's got a 25 yr old Earl Schibe paint job, found the can of touch up paint in the console when I got her home 5 years ago.
Planning on a white, body color, top. Still looking at what to do to break the color up a bit.