To vinyl or not to vinyl

So my son likes the look of a vinyl roof, but I don't know. This will be his daily driver and will be parked outside for the next several years. I am concerned with the vinyl doing what vinyl does in the sun over a long period of time. I don't want to restore this car only to have issues with vinyl.

 

Valid concerns.

 

I had problems with my vinyl. Had major rust in the roof and replace 2 section of the roof above the front window and rear. Big holes. So I had it repainted white same color has the vinyl.

Vinyl does look good if you take care of it. My car is a daily and it's parked outside.

 

if you prep the roof proper before install you should have years of service from the top....it's his car...

 

I am replacing my vinyl top on my Grabber. It did show signs of rust along the front edge above the windshield, but like Frank says, if you prep it right, rust shouldn't be an issue. I am hoping to use POR-15, but have yet to get my samples to my vinyl-top guy for some peel-tests.

What style of top is he considering: Halo, Full, or 3/4?? They all have unique trim with hard-to-find clips and fasteners. And of course, laying out the holes and welding studs onto the body is a job that would require good, if not exact, measurements.

I can help with any of the full-top trim locations...

 

I hate vinyl tops on cars.

 

I have been torn as to put a vinyl top on my white comet only because Im afraid I wont like it and will hate it all the time its on there BUT I do like the idea of a full vinyl top in black

 

When I repaint my maverick I am not going to re install a vinyl top and rear tail vinyl. I am however going to keep the trim and paint the roof a gloss white

 

do that spray on stuff that peels off...

 

My latest thought was do a vinyl wrap roof in satin black...

 

With you being in Illinois, this might not be as much of a concern, but down here, the sun is intense enough to fade the vinyl over time. I had at 71 Torino that in 1978 needed to have to top redyed.

 

I would just rip it off and prep/ paint it
Less to worry about

 

why would there be a worry if it is prepped and installed correctly? the ones on these cars were on for 30-40 years and were factory (no paint under them).

 

My 74 Grabber had paint under the halo vinyl roof. The vinyl roof was factory installed with all of the pins and was a
!@#$ to strip off.

 

My friend has a 75 Mav. had the vinyl roof replaced last year. His car is white w/ a green halo top. The car looks real nice the new top. I agree w/ Frank: " If it's prepped and done correctly", should last many more years. When you think abt it, most of these cars only come out occasionally, not like when they were used daily, subject to all kinds of weather. Under these conditions - the top should last forever.