Looking for ideas on sealing my convertible top. It's an LA Machines top. The po didn't have anything around the top of the windshield, and had kinda a 2 piece around the windows. I'll have to take some pics and post.

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86 GT Convertable 3800

picked up some thin weatherstripping from home depot for mine.

I would suggest stopping in to a RV/mobile home place or a boat supply shop to look for other ideas. I just used the self-sticking type (thin).

For the windows, I used the factory weatherstripping, just cut up and sealed at the ends (dipped in plasti-dip). I looked into camaro t-top/convertible weatherstripping and I think this could be cut down and used to make a better seal. I really didn't have a problem with water though.

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 02-27-2013).]

Home Depot has some rubber seal that is self stick. DOnt use any self stick foam...water will go thru it. RV or Boat place would be good to look too. Dont expect to get a perfect air or water seal on a soft convertible top. Even brand new Mercedes convertibles can leak. Its just one of the things you live with owning a convertible. Ive had prob 20 in my life and every one had some kind of water leak or wind noise. Both of the ones I have now do too.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: Home Depot has some rubber seal that is self stick. DOnt use any self stick foam...water will go thru it. RV or Boat place would be good to look too. Dont expect to get a perfect air or water seal on a soft convertible top. Even brand new Mercedes convertibles can leak. Its just one of the things you live with owning a convertible. Ive had prob 20 in my life and every one had some kind of water leak or wind noise. Both of the ones I have now do too.

I will have to disagree with roger a little on this.

I have had three "modern" convertibles and they have not leaked/dripped, even in storms. I had an old '66 Olds that didn't leak, once I fixed the old header weatherstripping Maybe Mercedes have issues, not sure on those, as I haven't owned them.

Now, my convertible fiero would leak in a heavy rain. Well, it wouldn't leak, as much as drip at the top of the side window. It was minor and didn't happen often. I worked hard to get the weatherstripping "weather tight". Now, if you used a spray wand and hit the side, it would leak, but just normal washing and rain.... no issues.

BTW, you can adjust the glass in/out, up/down, etc, to help seal the glass against the weatherstripping (side windows).

Roger is correct about foam... don't use open cell foam, it is for air drafts, not water. Looks for closed cell weatherstripping. Stop into a junk yard and look around at different cars, for ideas.

I believe my biggest leaker is the top of the windshield as there is no weather stripping at all. I'm just wondering how to seal the top corners where it rolls into teh window in the verry front corner. As for the windows, its a 2 piece, so hopefully putting a 1 piece will solve that.

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86 GT Convertable 3800

I used something like this...
http://www.fleetfarm.com/de...l-tape/0000000046854

I found brown, which worked well, as I had a tan top. I used two rolls. I am not sure how much of a gap you have.

This is from Frost King.

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 02-27-2013).]

Both my Mercedes convertibles leaks in the rain right over the middle of both side windows. Its very minor, and its where the top folds. The seal above the window is split to allow it to fold there and water comes thru the joint. Pretty much the same story on my Sebring. They all have quite a bit of wind noise, the Mercedes even has wind noise at side seals with the hardtop in place. Going down the highway, the tops no matter how tight balloon up slightly and allow wind to come in both sides. Ive never had one leak at the windshield seam except one of my Corvettes. I replaced all the seals... windshield, sides, quarters and roof to trunk. It still leaked in a hard rain. My other one was a Targa Top and all the seals leaked badly, even after I replaced them all with new OEM. Ive only been in one soft top convertible that didnt have wind noise and it was a $200K Rolls.

It might be easier to seal a well done Fiero than a factory convertible because I dont think they have all the complicated bows and folding brackets. If I remember on the Fieros Ive seen, there are few bows and I dont think there were any breaks in the side seals except behind the side windows.

Here are some pics.

















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86 GT Convertable 3800SC

[This message has been edited by Tweeder (edited 02-28-2013).]

Where they cut the roof behind the windshield/above the A pillar, you need to either make a piece of rubber to make that corner finished on both sides or lay down a nice shaped amount of silicone sealer. That whole corner is going to allow a lot of water in. They just made 2 straight cuts in the rubber on there with nothing done for a corner. I have excellent luck making a corner just by putting some masking tape down where I want all the edges to be, squirt some good grade black silicone on the area and smooth it with your finger in one swipe and immediately pull of the tape. Let it set with the top off the frame at least over nite. Dont leave the tape on more than a minute or two after you apply the sealer and the edge will blend down perfectly.

yeah, that looks pretty rough. You may want to look at silicone patches for the holes, or even look at some convertible weatherstripping at the junkyard. Even a t-top weatherstripping may get you what you need (corners and such). They should have angled the cuts and sealed the ends. It can be sealed up, but it will take some trial/error. I would also look at covering the metal with something (more top material) that you contact cement on, for a more finished look. I had photos of my weatherstripping, but they are prints, not digital, and "somewhere" in my house. I will see if I can remember to dig those up. I had a different top, but it still may help you.

when I had my 84, i would walk the junkyard looking at the Sunbird, Lebarron and Mustang converts to get ideas. If you have the ability, and are lucky, you may get a few ideas from looking at them. I had a lot of ideas, but sold the car before I could try them.

Good luck

Rob

Yeah I gotta look at how other convertibles are done. I have contacted a upolsterer/fabricator about 6 hrs away and might bring them the car and see what they can do with the suspension, I would like to have it remade from aluminum for lightness if possible. I/m hoping to find a header seal from something compayible and that should seal up that part but its the back window part thats gonna be fun.

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86 GT Convertable 3800

quote Originally posted by Tweeder: Yeah I gotta look at how other convertibles are done. I have contacted a upolsterer/fabricator about 6 hrs away and might bring them the car and see what they can do with the suspension, I would like to have it remade from aluminum for lightness if possible. I/m hoping to find a header seal from something compayible and that should seal up that part but its the back window part thats gonna be fun.

Be careful that he new alum. parts are not too light and end up bending. Otherwise, that is a great idea! You could probably sell the old top mech. if you had a new one made up. I owned a few convertibles before my Fiero convertible, but I still looked at other designs to help me seal up mine. Plus a walk in the junkyard is always fun! you never know what you will find!