I am at the interior and contertible top stage of my 71 442 convertible tribute. Drive train complete. My concern is should I have the convertible top installed before it goes to the body shop for paint. My painter want to paint it first but me personally I want it painted last because when it goes to the interior shop for top and upholstry. I don't any ooooppps sir I scratcher your brand new paint job. "Well I can take a little of your bill" bullshit. Also it needs to go to the muffler shop and maybe to get some wiring done. WHat should I do heeeeeeeelllllllllpppp

 

I did my top and interior after paint with no problems.
They just covered everything and taped to the stainless. Most shops are really good with protecting a new paint job.
Just me tcw.

 

I had all the paint and body work done on my car before it went to the upholsterer for a new top. They did a great job without so much as a fingerprint on the paint (as far as I know, anyway!).

With regards to the convertible top, be sure to talk with whoever is going to install it first before you buy a top kit. Most uphosterers have their favorite brands and that would be the best to buy for your installer. I bought my kit first and then just got lucky that the one I got was a favorite of the person that installed my top. There are some brands that he won't touch and I suspect there are other installers out there that are the same way.

Randy C.

 

What I mean by interior being done is everything will be together the seat will not be in the car the carpet will be in but converded with plastic the dash will be covered with plastic and the coverable top will be layered ontop of 2 or 3 layers of plastic by the painter. The only worry I have if the painter has to unbolt the frame for a few seconds to paint where the convertible frame meets the body of the car. Oh yeah door panal will not be in either My biggest concern is again the convertible top I want it on first for whatever reason I don't know