Anyone taken apart their hardtop?

[KeeperJones]

I am having a hell of a time getting my hardtop apart to redo the headliner. The front is where I am at now. The rubber came off pretty easy, the handles, and then the screws came out of the metal piece that holds the rubber. The vinyl covered piece appears to be riveted down, but the rivets are under the metal piece that holds the rubber. I can't figure out if the metal piece is just held in with glue or what. It does not want to come out. Anyone ever taken this off before?

I am guessing I will have to ask about the back vinyl covered pieces as well. I have not gotten to them yet, but I don't see any screws or anything like that. Of course the metal that holds the back rubber is all riveted down. They didn't really want you to take this apart I guess. Drilling the rivets is no big deal, but a few of the places look to be like they are going to be a bitch to get at.

Has anyone done this before and have some advice? My searches have come up empty.

[KeeperJones]

Well, it appears that the vinyl top material is fastened to the front metal piece that holds the rubber seal and that it is screwed on and glued. The screws came out easy, but man, that piece is glued in there. Behind it, there are screws for the trim piece that I am trying to get off. What a bitch.

Technically, I probably did not have to take this trim piece off, I can lift it a bit and just shove the fabric underneath. I just hate doing things halfass.

[KeeperJones]

Well, it looks like everthing is glued and/or riveted in the back. Some of it looks like it goes in under or by the window even. I was a bit excited to do this, that is long gone now.

[thereisnoyun]

yea, I'm doing mine... its no joke. mine is still sitting around I need to get to it this month.

[Tricked 323i]

I sewed one up for my customer and he had one of his shop guys glue it down. I think it took him a few hours to install it as he had to tuck everything in on the sides. It turned out great but he said it was a real PITA.
Kevin

[OrganicMechanic]

I only wish I had a hard-top. I have seen a few go by on CL but never had the 800 for them. Cabrios united!

[KeeperJones]

I tell you, it is a pain. If I do it again, I think I will pull the rubber off the sides, the handles, and the front latch handles and call it good. Getting the front off all the way is a total pain, so much so that I gave up. If you pull the latch handles, you can pull it up enough to push the material under the vinyl covered piece.

I pushed it under the vinyl covered pieces on the side. It looks like they are glued on or something because I could not get them up. I used a flat edge to push the fabric under them.

The back metal piece that holds down the rubber is riveted on the sides, so if you want to pull that you have to drill them out. In the end, I used a flat edge to shove the fabric under that as well.

Getting it to stick around the back window was a bit tricky, but I just wedged it in until the glue was dry.

Glue is everything. I used the Permatex headliner glue and to be honest, I was not that happy with the performance. I had to redo several sections. It was the only thing I had locally and I have always been happy with Permatex products. But I think I would order the 3M™ Super Trim Adhesive that I heard was the best for this type of job.

Anyway, I used a faux black lambskin leather like microsuede that looks really nice. It was thin and had some streched to it. The question is, will it stay up. Now that I have done it once, I will be easier if I have to do it again. I had about $35 into and a fair amount of time over a couple days, but it was worth it I guess.

[VacMan]

Sounds like a nightmare. I appreciate you documenting it for us. I stripped all the old headliner out of mine and it's currently naked. I was debating redoing it myself vs. having it done...now there's no longer a debate. :)

Tim

[Tricked 323i]

I used 1/8" oem black headliner material to make mine. I saw him use a plastic putty knife and he had to be very careful. He used my gun and sprayed my landau glue. It will never droop or come off.
Kevin