Vinal top question

[tkruger]

I have an 1987 Monte Carlo LS with a full vinal top. This is the original top, purchased from original owner who said it was there when they bought it from the dealer. It is tight when it is warm and when it is cold. When it is between 50 and 40 degrees it is somewhat loose. When I notice this it is generally also damp out. Any ideas?

The prior owner kept the car garaged. I unfortunately do not own a garage so it sits outside from May until October.

On a side note how long do these tops normally last? I know it is old at 28 years. What is an average cost to replace one? Mine does show where but still looks nice.

 

[Chevyfanaddict]

The contact glue underneath has probably lost its adheasion and the humidity causes the fabric to become loose. There is probanly also moisture trapped as well underneath and i bet theres a little bit of suface rust starting to form. Only way to fix it is to tear the old top off, re-prep the roof, and replace with a new one. I got mine from a place called SMS Fabrics in Oregon. They had the exact OEM material in stock in the grain and color. Mine cost me about $365 for the 1/4 top on my Landau so yours will cost slightly more probably cause the charge by the yard of material used.







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[oldmansmonte]

I have an 1987 Monte Carlo LS with a full vinal top. This is the original top, purchased from original owner who said it was there when they bought it from the dealer. It is tight when it is warm and when it is cold. When it is between 50 and 40 degrees it is somewhat loose. When I notice this it is generally also damp out. Any ideas?

The prior owner kept the car garaged. I unfortunately do not own a garage so it sits outside from May until October.

On a side note how long do these tops normally last? I know it is old at 28 years. What is an average cost to replace one? Mine does show where but still looks nice.

Random unrelated comment, some other guy in Rochester is selling nearly the identical car.

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/5018742718.html

 

[78chevolds]

I had my Landau top done on my 78 for around $500. Mine had cracks in the vinyl and surprisingly the metal underneath was not rusted so no prepwork was needed.