Stopping that T-Top Leak (lite)

Before you try stopping any leaks from your T-tops the area must be cleaned. So before you get too involved you must first know one thing. This guide is only for cars with light rust to no rust. This guide is also for those out there who are not replacing their seals while performing this action.

            IF your car has a great deal of rust or your replacing your seals this is not the guide for you. Instead If you have any rust it needs to be cleaned and treated before you go any further. Then use the guide in the Tech section of http://www.thirdgen.org.

Part 1: Prep

Now that that boring disclaimer stuff is out of the way… Let’s start with cleanup. If your car has no rust you can move on to Part #2. Please read all of Part 1 before you begin the procedure. Please make sure you do this with good sunny weather conditions if you’re working outside. Start this project in the morning and leave the t-tops all day at least, overnight if you can.

What you’ll need

·        A cold Drink

·        Some Permatex (fig 1.1)

·        Something to sand or take rust off with (wire wheel, coarse sandpaper etc)

·        Rust preventative paint in brush on form (treatment) (I use Rustolium.)

·        Something to apply the rust treatment with (I used a sponge brush)

    Step 1

·        Use the sand paper or wire wheel to remove any rust you might find around the rubber seal.

·        Carefully remove any rust underneath the seals. Do your best to nut pull up the adhesive that hold the seal in place.

    Step 2

·        Vacuum up all the rust you’ve gotten everywhere

    Step 3

·        Have some of that nice ice cold drink.

    Step 4

·        Apply the rust treatment to all of the rust effected areas that you sanded down.

    Step 5

·        Let Dry

    Step 6

·        Seal up small holes with Permatex and let dry for at least 30 minutes.

    Step 7

            Go get a snack.

Part 2: Applying a second seal.

            Now that your car is rust free (around the t-tops anyway) you can sop water from getting under the seals ever again. I hope you have patience. This part is boring and paces really slow. So you might want to make sure you have something fun to do when you’re done. You’ll need to leave the t-tops off for a couple of hours after your finished applying the Permatex. So do this only in weather permitting conditions. Also please read the entire Part 2 before beginning the project.

Junk you will need to finish the jorb.

• Black RTV (Permatex Fig1.1) you can use other colors. With black cars, black Permatex does not show too obviously. If your car is another color I recommend using a clear silicone.
• Roll of paper towels (its okay, tell the spousal you wont use them all. You just need easy access to a bunch of them).
• Another cold drink or two
• A whole bunch of patience

Step 1: Rear lip

• Start by doing the rear side of the opening. Using your index finger slowly apply the Permatex between the rubber seal and the outer edge of the body. Don’t worry about the side of the seal the opening is on.
• If you smear the Permatex on the top of the car in excess don’t worry. When you’re done using up what’s on your finger grab a paper towel.
• Use the paper towel to wipe up excess Permatex. I also found that wiping across the top gently over the Permatex that was just applied leaves a nice straight line of Permatex. Thus making the application look like the factory did it.
• Continue slowly until you have applied it from the door jam to the T bar in the center where the seal lips underneath the bar.

Step 2: Front Lip

• Have a sip of that ice cold drink
• Repeat step 1 for the front side of the opening.

Step 3: The other Side

• Have another sip of that drink.
• Repeat step 1 and 2 for the other side of the vehicle.

Step 4: The Center

• The Permatex should have come with a plastic nozzle fitting. Cut off the tip and screw it onto the tube of Permatex
• Starting with any side of the T bar, observe the rubber seal. Notice where the top of the seal comes in contact with the T bar.
• Using that tip on the tube, apply Permatex to close any gap that might be there between the T bar and the rubber seal.

Step 5: Center continued

• Repeat Step 4 for the other side of the T bar.
• Finish the cold drink and let sit for a few hours. Preferably all night if possible.

Now your t-tops should be leak free. I hope you enjoyed this tour.. uhh I mean this tutorial. Good luck and happy Restoring.

Created By James. Webmaster Knight Technology