1983oldsmobiledelta

how to convert vinyl top to hard top its on a 1983 delta 88 would it look right and do you just have to remove the vinyl and there you go any help plz thanks

ent72olds

Remove top, remove the glue, pray there's no rust, do whatever bodywork needs to be done(usually, cars with tops from the factory weren't finished properly underneath, being they would be covered anyway),then paint! To answer quicker, no, it's not a matter of just taking it off....

1983oldsmobiledelta

how would they not be properly finished underneath what would i have to fix are do

TripDeuces

Usually the body seam between the roof and 'C' pillar is left rough with a solder joint. You need some Bondo, primer and prep work.

1983oldsmobiledelta

how would i fix that like what tools and how hard would it be

TripDeuces

Reread my post young Skywalker....................Bondo, primer, prep work and paint. That's how you fix it. Since I don't know your skill set I can't tell you how hard it would be.

64Olds98

Also, hardtop typically refers to pillarless cars, and if you're working on the car in your picture, you've got a problem there.

1983oldsmobiledelta

what do you mean sorry i dont know nothing bout the hardtop and vinyl tops

rocketraider

He's thinking hard top = a hard painted metal roof instead of a soft vinyl top.

Plenty of Deltas came without them. I can't remember for sure if the rear window mouldings are different between vinyl and non vinyl on Deltas like they are on Cutlasses and Ninety Eights. If they are you'll need mouldings to cover up the gap and probably clips to hold them on.

What Trip is talking about is the seam where the roof panel meets the quarter panel, between the rear door and the back window. On vinyl top jobs, the factory often did not metal finish that seam to the same quality they would on a non-vinyl car, since the vinyl roof would cover it up. Feel around right behind the rear door, up toward the top edge and see if you can feel a sunk in area. Sometimes you can see it in the vinyl.

You pull the vinyl roof cover off, you'll have to fill the sunk in area with body filler and finish and prime it, then paint it. Don't be surprised if you find very thin paint and surface rust on the roof itself under the vinyl cover.

64Olds98

I guessed this, but just wanted to clarify what was being asked. I was just reading this thread and it shows what could be under that vinyl though that car has a few extra years outside.

rocketraider

98, ya gotta remember he's 17. True hardtops have not been made in his lifetime. For that matter in anyone under 30's lifetime.

64Olds98

Yeah it's hard to gage anybody's age on here, not that age has a direct effect on knowledge always I'm just 26, but he's got a start on me, I was into newer cars at that age

70 cutlass s

It can be. When I was 17 I would have considered my 70 just a used car, not a classic car. Correction its considered a antique now.

To the op I hope you don't find a bunch of rust under the top. Good luck.