targa top question

[rascal_rascal_99]

When I remove my top, either to run without it, or swap them out....it always wants to stick to the front molding piece that goes across the top of the windshield, sometimes even pulls it out some and I have to press it back into the track. Do any of you use anything across it, to keep them from sticking? Or nobody has this problem but me for some crazy reason.

thanks,

[vee93]

Originally Posted by rascal_rascal_99

When I remove my top, either to run without it, or swap them out....it always wants to stick to the front molding piece that goes across the top of the windshield, sometimes even pulls it out some and I have to press it back into the track. Do any of you use anything across it, to keep them from sticking? Or nobody has this problem but me for some crazy reason.

thanks,

I've never had this problem (God! One I haven't had!) Anyway, sounds like the adhesive might be degrading and if your Vette is hot, the sticking problem happens. Use a bit of alcohol to clean the surfaces and then use that weatherstrip protection grease on the parts and see if that helps.

[rascal_rascal_99]

I'm sure it has something to do with the heat making the molding stick to the top...the molding is a brand new piece...actually it's about a year old now, I put it in not long after I got the car...is it actually supposed to be glued into the track? With the way it fit's in tight like it does, and the old one which was coming apart simply due to age, when I took it out it didn't appear to have had any sort of adhesive on it? The grease you mention, you're talking about putting it on the top of the rubber molding piece where the top seats down on it right?

[Rabbit]

Have had the same problem, solved it by spraying silicon on a rag & wiping down the area.

[LT4man]

Originally Posted by rascal_rascal_99

..is it actually supposed to be glued into the track? With the way it fit's in tight like it does, and the old one which was coming apart simply due to age, when I took it out it didn't appear to have had any sort of adhesive on it? The grease you mention, you're talking about putting it on the top of the rubber molding piece where the top seats down on it right?

I believe there is to be some adhesive put down into that track before you install the weatherstripping. In fact, if I remember correctly (I will check my FSM later!) they tell you to fit the sides correctly to make sure you have the same amount of weatherstripping on each "A" pillar. Then take the weatherstripping up to apply the adhesive.

As far as silicone goes, c4c5specialist says: Do not use anything but Krytox for the C4 strips. Your friendly neighborhood dealer can get a hold of it. Quite expensive but is the only thing that will not deteriorate the weatherstripping. Has to do with the type of rubber that GM spec'd for the C4 stripping. They use a different rubber for C5 and C6.

Hope this helps you!

SAVE THE WAVE!

[vee93]

Originally Posted by rascal_rascal_99

I'm sure it has something to do with the heat making the molding stick to the top...the molding is a brand new piece...actually it's about a year old now, I put it in not long after I got the car...is it actually supposed to be glued into the track? With the way it fit's in tight like it does, and the old one which was coming apart simply due to age, when I took it out it didn't appear to have had any sort of adhesive on it? The grease you mention, you're talking about putting it on the top of the rubber molding piece where the top seats down on it right?

Yeah, silicon/Krytox works wonders. And check the adhesive you used for the weatherstripping. Might not have been enough.

[rascal_rascal_99]

Thanks for the tips...silicon spray is easy for me to come by, krytox is new to me...is that something different, or is it some kind of brand name?

As for setting the weather stripping into place, most all of the car's weather stripping was dry rotting and falling apart when I bought the car...not that I'm complaining about it really, it was 14 yrs old and been driven a lot in it's lifetime. I replaced all the weather stripping on the car with the exception of around the rear hatch, that piece looks to me like it'd been replaced already, but the way all of it fit, and the way it all came up, I didn't think there had been any adhesive on it or needed...then again, if I'd used any across the top of the windshield it wouldn't pull out at all some of the time when I remove my targa top right? doh! lol Even if I'd glued it in, in some fashion though where it wouldn't pull out, I'd not want the top sticking to it as I'm sure that tears at it some and would cause it to wear out abnormally fast.

Thanks for the tips ya'll!

[LT4man]

Go to Ace Hardware or True Value. DuPont makes a silicone lubricant with Kyrtox that comes in a 10 oz. aerosol can.

Should be much cheaper than GM dealership!

Actually, DuPont invented Krytox.

SAVE THE WAVE!

[Hot Rod Roy]

Krytox is a heavy silicone grease that you can rub on the weatherstrips to keep them working good, and to keep your roof panel from sticking. If you're planning to paint your car soon, your paint man may shoot you for using this stuff. It's almost impossible to remove, and makes fish-eyes like crazy! You can't see it, and it will spread to places you don't expect. The spray silicone has the same problem.

STW

[HPG]

Try some diletric grease. It won't hurt the rubber and it will stop some of the small water leaks from the top.