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Ah yes. T-Top rust. While I was in Iraq, my loving wive bought me a 1985 Iroc TPI LB9 with lots of loving issues to fix. The one that's out of my experience range is T-Top Rust and replacing the T-Top seals. Evidently, the previous owner was less loving to the car that I'm going to be but all in all it's solid. It just suffers from typical T-Top Rust and bad shade tree mechanic work. The roof shows signs of bondo behind the T-glass and rear Hatch.
Doing custom Fab body work and welding are not issues. I have a mig, sand- blaster, Compressor, etc. I just lack the most important thing. A garage. So I need to do it between rain drops. Before I rip it apart, can anyone educate me on what to buy, order, or acquire as far as replacement seals and replacement panels before I tear it down?
depending on what you would like to get, I got all my weather stripping from soffseal.com but you have to be very carfull with warpage by the roof the metal is verrrry thin take a look at something called cold steel http://www.eastwood.com/autobody/wel...mal-paste.html
If you dont have major rust and large holes you can try all-metal. I have used this numerous times for holes up to 1/2 in. and it works great. It is two part like bondo and spreads like it also. After it hardens it is very hard and durable not like bondo. I helped my dad use this stuff on a chevelle window frame on the front and rear and its been close to 10 years and there is no signs of it deterrating. You should be able to pick it up at any paint supply store.
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That's one hell of a deal. I'd LOVE to have a fairlane or galaxy. Awesome cars.
As far as the rust goes you can either sand it all of and bondo it (I'd paint with rust bullet). You can also buy a new cross bar. But they're like $200. A wee bit much for me
__________________ Ain't nothin' like it, it's a shining machine
Got the feel for the wheel, keep the movin' parts clean ~ Van Halen
You'll need to get that cross bar off and see what damage is underneath (if any) and where the seals meet the body. That piece you pictured is replaceable, just did that on mine with a... rust free piece off an 84 and mines an 86! I guess it spent more time in a garage than mine.
A junkyard should have one. I pulled one at a local Upull and sent it to a guy in SD for around $30 or so. the worst part was finding a box for it. Some rust and some don't just need to find one that's in good shape.
But I agree you'll have to see what's underneath that first.
nope not a chevy it's a 1963 ford fairlane 500 but i picked it up for 100.00 starts runs and only surface rust sat in a field for 12 yrs
that was going to be my next guess lol, anyways ya the gm replacement one is 250 + shipping from what ive seen, like the other guys said you should check out a local junkyard. i found some good stuff not any f-body parts because those were completely picked over
I guess my big question. I Ordered new softseals from Summit. Should be here today. I'll need a new cross bar "or one for a u-pull." but how does that seal come out?
It appears to slide in a track of sorts. is there any sort of glue used?
If you are talking about the weather stripping, then it should be glued on. But with a bolt one each side are the ends. the center part come off with six philliphs screws just becarfull not to strip em. I Bought my new center bar " n.o.s" from ebay for like 75 bucks! just keep an eye out...
Sounds like these t-tops give a lot of problems. Are they worth it? i'd imagine in my area (cold winters, mild summers) i'd only get 2-3 days a year when the weather would be suitable to open the t-top up.
I think it just depends on the car. My theory is if they allow water in and it sits there then it can rust out. I've seen rusty cars with perfect centers in MN quite often at the junkyard.
I own 2 camaros both with t-tops... Both look like that... and both leak... Common problems? Anyways, I picked one up at a Upullit about an hour away from me for like 10 bucks? Just keep your eyes open.
While this is a very temporary fix, running black electrical tape over the rust on the t top bar cleans up the look of the car and is hardly noticeable
mo
but i picked it up for 100.00 starts runs and only surface rust sat in a field for 12 yrs 
Some rust and some don't just need to find one that's in good shape.
Sounds like these t-tops give a lot of problems. Are they worth it? i'd imagine in my area (cold winters, mild summers) i'd only get 2-3 days a year when the weather would be suitable to open the t-top up. 
Anyways, I picked one up at a Upullit about an hour away from me for like 10 bucks? Just keep your eyes open. 
