Got a 91 T/A that seems to be suffering from the poor quality water-based primer that the EPA mandated in the early 90s, and as a result, most of the paint on my roof and hood has flaked off. Also, I am replacing the t-top bar which was extremely rusty and broken in some places. The bar must have allowed water to get trapped between it and the roof, and some of the lip on the roof around where the seals go has corroded and broken off. So, now that I am getting around to replacing the t-top seals, I'm wondering if I need to strip the car down to bare metal and just start over with a good primer. Also, I'm wondering what the easiest way to do so is (chemical stripper vs. grinding). Lastly, I'm wondering if I'm going to have a problem forming a seal with the new weatherstripping with some of the lip missing. I've attached some pictures to illustrate the problem. Let me know what you guys think. One more thing, there's a large dent in the roof maybe a quarter inch deep where the roof meets the driver's t-top, I'm wondering if I'm going to have sealing problems there as well.

 

I highly recommend POR-15. It is not cheap, but neither is the rubber you are going to put on! I have done this now for the 3rd time over the years using regular primer + paint and everytime I go to remove the weather stipping, I always find rust! So, now I decided to use POR-15 and it is amazing paint. I also bought the Marine Clean and Metal Ready from them which cleans and activates the metal with a zinc coating which helps promote metal to POR-15 adhesion.

 

Hmm, I always thought POR15 was only used for undercarriage and places you wouldn't see...this is all just surface rust right now, except for the thin lip there that I can't really do anything about. Still think it's necessary to POR15 it?

 

por 15 good stuff i did my t tops today i had a little rust not bad sand blasted pour 15 and the primeed with zink primer.. all good.. photos in my 86 z28 project.. its rust encapsultor from eastwood co. her is the link..
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...ProductID=1136