Has anyone here installed the new rubber drip edge on their ttops who can offer some basic advice? I see a few people said they just pealed theirs out and others who said it was a PITA. I do not want to wreck them or make a simple repair more complicated.
Do I remove the plastic trip first?
Do the old just peel out? Surface prep?
I see a metal bar with screws at each end under the plastic trim piece that the drip edge fits under?
How about the peel and stick tape - peel it off first and slide in somehow, or?
Thx!
Dave

 

I hope you upgraded to the plastic parts, with the description you gave of them having the tape, you did.
You have to remove the ttop, flip it upside down on a blanket, remove the handle, remove the plastic trim and then remove the seal and seal retainer. Maybe some other stuff.
If the plastic has the 2-3 push pin/nipple looking parts sticking up, they most likely will need cut off flush.

 

Thank you! I wasn't sure if I had to remove the handle. Mine are rubber - from Hawks - they will be fine for now - will order up a set of the hard plastic ones for down the road...saw everyone's comments on those after I ordered the rubber ones.

 

Also, make sure you prep the surface real good with alcohol or acetone for good adhesion.
When you are ready to install them, just peel the tape back an inch or so at a 90 degree angle on each end. Position drip edge and press each end down, then pull the tape covering out at a 45 degree angle while pressing the drip edge.
These are the plastic ones.

 

I did this just this week. Here is the sealer that I prefer to use: it comes in various thicknesses,.... I usually buy the thicker bead and stretch it out when I a thin bead to work with. (The factory used a windshield type Urethane that gets very hard. The Urethane pictured here remains soft. )



Here is a pic of the T-Top when dismantled. This T-Top had handle was bent and the plastic interior trim had 2 blown-out mounting holes. The dip edge was ripped - then cut short across it's entire length too. ( the old and replacement drip-edge are shown. )



This pic shows where I removed all the original sealer from the glass @ each corner and I how I applied the thin new layer of new Urethane sealer to the corners covering the glass / outer trim joint. I also ran a very thin bead of the sealer along the entire length of the replacement drip edge,.. ( If you have new drip edge than there is "Tape" already on it for this purpose ! ) Before setting the drip edge I also ran a thin bead up the back-side @ each end of the drip edge. At his point the drip edge is just laying on top of the Urethane on the glass......



This pic shows the T-Top re-assembled. There was additional Urethane placed on each end of the rubber seal before the seal was fit into place. ( continuing to overlap the corners with thin layers of sealer) Once the rubber seal is installed bit more additional Urethane was used on each end of the drip edge to "sandwich" the drip-edge in sealer @ each end.





Hope this helps !

 

TTOP350, Bob88GTA and John in RI - thank you - between the detail and great pics I should be able to do this - really appreciate it!

 

A job I need to do on the passenger side of my car. Definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference.

 

ugh....OF COURSE the t top weather strip ripped as I was dissasembling even though I was being careful!!! recommendations of best ones to order up??!

 

Wow, I don't think I have ever seen any of them glued in to the ttop itself

 

yup---definitely was glued...may have been previous 2 owners...definitely had work done....i see Hawks has them...