I am attempting to cover the rear panels for my 71 convertible Cutlass Supreme. I purchased the unassembled panels from PUI. I disassembled the originals leaving the back board and the fiberglass top that hangs the panel. I have laid the vinyl in place aligning the sides and bottom tacking it in place with adhesive. I am having trouble stretching the vinyl where it curves up above the rear seat. There are a few wrinkles where the two surfaces transition. Any tricks to tighten this up?

 

Use steam/heat to stretch it out, just like with a headliner.

 

The vinyl needs to be pulled back...ie--the vinyl needs to move towards the back of the car. Try tugging a bit on the end of the vinyl on the panel and see if the wrinkles get smaller. Try this before resorting to a heat gun. Best to try and pull as many wrinkles tight first and then glue things in place.

 

I was thinking more along the lines of a hair dryer Patton.

 

Thanks guys. I will give some heat a try

 

Amen... I have accidentally burned holes in too much stuff with heat guns...

 

Thank you both. The hair dryer worked great. It softened the vinyl enough for me to be able to strech out the wrinkles. Thanks!

 

Glad it worked out for you Dan. C'mon now. You know the drill....post pics showing us how good it turned out!

 

Only have the one done. The other has some serious issues with the fiberglass top panel. Just posted a want add, hope to find another donor.
Here are pics of the one that is done. Still a little bit of wrinkling but I think a day in the sun will help that.

 

That looks really good! I'm sure that as the material ages a little, you will also see the shrinkage you're looking for. There's one other thing you could consider doing.
*place a folded dishtowel over the material when you're ready to stretch it
*'borrow' your wifes steam iron and use steam to heat through the cloth to the vinyl. It should soften it up quite a bit and make the stretching easier.

I see you've test fitted it. are you going to take out the 1/4 glass so you can install the outer window fuzzies, or is there a trick to doing that with the glass still in?

 

Thanks! I am pulling out the glass. I set it in there, snugged the bolts and then remembered the outer fuzzy. If there is one thing I am good at, its doing things twice... Engine, cam, heads and transmission on my Chevelle and already had to set the engine and pull it back out on the Cutlass once because of header interfearance. I'm used to it...

 

Just drop the lower limit stop and lower the window below the fuzzy.

 

Who was your supplier for the fuzzies? I got mine from OPG a number of years ago. They have the proper round bead like the OEMs.
When you took out your 1/4 glass did you replace the teflon rollers or was everything tight on the regulators? I'm putting in power windows and tinted glass. The kit I have is OEM completely refurbed and all the parts are tight. Just don't know how easy/hard it will be for me to get my fat fingers in where they need to be.

 

brothers...
They were "Repops" brand.
Here is the only issue I had with them:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalb...57602930020786

I did replace the center main one, as it was cracked.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalb...57602930020786
Other side ones were shimmed...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsalb...7602930020786/

Is this OEM or repro stuff?

 

Looked at that link, it didn't fit well at all did it? Another satisfied BAP customer? Did you call them and ask for a remedy? If you did I'd almost bet they blew you off.

My entire PW setup is a combination of NOS and refurbed OEM. Guaranteed to fit. The motors are all NOS, as are the switches and relay. The harnesses were built from an OEM template. Regulators were refurbed. I think I know why you're asking. When it's time to rip out my crank regs and install the PW setups I believe I'm going to have to take the doors off to drill the boot holes, right? I know you had troubles with the regulators on your aftermarket install. I'll do the PDLs at the same time. They are also OEM but I'll refurb them myself.