Convertible top replacement

My 64 comet needs a new top. The previous owner tried to replace it himself and didn't do such a good job. There's a tear near the hinge and it doesn't really close properly. So I'd like to replace it. My question is: Can I do this myself? I've done a search on the H.A.M.B. and not found anything too useful.
Is convertible top replacement a black art or is it something a reasonalby handy guy could do and have it come out decent? Am I destined to end up at the upholstery shop no matter what I do?
I'm usually inclined to just 'go for it' and some times it works out, some times I learn a lot, and some times I bite off way more than I can chew.

So what's the consensus? Be afraid because dragons lurk there, or, jump on in the water's fine?

 

After seeing one installed Im damn sure not trying mine my self on my 68 Montego,I am going to hav it ready and strip the crap off and put on the new rubber and repainting it before I give it to them,but I will let them see it before I start at all......check around theres gotta be someone that can do it reasonacle and get it right.............

 

When I was 23, my boss sent me to a convertible top workshop. Saw 2 guys install 2 conv tops in one day. The following week I installed two tops.Wasn`t to bad. BUT- the tops were installed correctly in the first place. It made for good references. You will be flying blind, inproper installation on an older car. MY advice is to buy a how to video, or maybe two and read all the instructional matarials you can find. Find sombody you can ask if you get in a jam. Present day- I have done a few hundred now. Working on a 67 Camaro, stock ($ 80,000dollar build), Customer bought at an auction (finished). Beautiful car. The upholstery guy didn`t know what he was doing so I am installing a new top after an 8o mile restoration job. My question is- can you rebuild a motor by watching a video and reading a book with a advice from others. Some people can. Take in consideration the cost of the top and window,bow pads , ect... Glass window are easyer to install than plastic.

 

I tried it on a 53 Ford convert many years ago - after 2 tries it came out OK , but I would never do it again. One of the few places I pay an expert !! Also, be sure top frame is in good shape - repair worn pivots,etc. - and use new top pads.

 

If it's not done right the first time,you're going to have major problems.

I know it's kind of expensive to have one installed(I've had estimates for 3 different cars done),but,you'll be saving yourself a LOT of trouble and hassle by dropping the car off and having it done by a professional.

 

I just replaced the rear window, and well liner in my car. It turned out okay. It was enough for me to realize I wouldn't do the whole top myself. Next time I will pay someone.

 

Did my 64 Skylark last year, I had the old top for a pattern. Not brain surgery, I'd do it again. Now if I had a box full of money I'd let someone do it, I just don't see $800.00 labor charge for a days work. It took my wife and I two days but it was my first try.

 

I've done a couple on a full size Buick. Owned the car for 14 years and it had 4 tops put on. South Dakota and Louisiana sun is hell on tops. The upholstery shop tops took about three hours and fit like a saddle on a sow. My installs took a day but had no wrinkles and were tight. Is it difficult? No. A resonably adept person can do it. Would I do it again? Maybe. I'm a lot older now. A factory service manual will give you the procedure. A upholstery book will give you an overview unless you can find a dedicated top book. All tops are the same, but different. Having the top bows fit to the car before adding the top is critical. If the bows don't fit, neither will the top. Be sure it works smoothly without twisting or binding. Replace any questionable mechanical or hydraulic components. Replace the pads and tension cables even if they look new. Replace any questionable tack strips and weatherstripping, especially on the Header. Check the water channels and drain tubes and repair where necessary. Put in a new top well. Keep the top warm while installing.Centering the top on the bows involves measuring, remeasuring ,checking and measuring again. Tack down lightly and check the fit, front to rear, side to side and diagonally. Readjust and check again. Don't let anyone tell you those wrinkles in the quarters will smooth out once the sun warms it. They won't. Be sure it folds properly into the well and returns to the up position without a hitch. When everything satisfies you, finish tacking, put it down and go cruisin.
Said it wasn't difficult, not easy

 

I had my 63 1/2 Falcon done by a guy in Placentia CA and it was well worth the couple of hundred bucks he charged, and there isn't much I won't tackle on a car!

 

I installed a new top on a '64 Corvair 20 years ago. It wasn't that bad of a job, especially on a smaller car like that or a Falcon. The instructions said to make these adjustable sticks to hold the bows in place while you work. I ignored that but it would have been better if I had made them. One place to watch is where the roof is split by the rear bow. If the alignment is off you can end up with the split not on the bow and have a leak. Go for it!

 

I have been installing convertible tops for close to 30 years and there are still days that I wish I'd never learned how, it has to be one of the most frustrating upholstery jobs there is. That said, I believe if I can do it most anyone can. You need a lot of patience and you have to expect to run into a lot of problems. If you do decide to jump into this, once you get the old material off and make sure all of the tack strips are good make sure the top mechanism functions properly and smoothly. The book says that it should take a professional abour 8 to 10 hours to replace top and window if everything is perfect so judge your time accordingly. It's not rocket science but it's no walk in the park either. If you decide to have a shop do the work be careful there too. Almost anyone with a staple gun and a pair of shears will tell you they can do it but you don't want them practicing on your car. Check out work they have done before. Just because the price is high doesn't mean they are trying to rip you off. It may mean they will look after the details too. Good luck.

 

gir431 said it all. I have installed many tops and no two are alike. Make sure the tack strips are in good shape. There is nothing worse than the staples pulling out as you are trying to install it. New pads, tension cables and well liner are needed. One thing not mentioned is the quality of the top itself. Ive had the best luck with Electron Tops. Have an ice pick or scratch all handy to help line up the mounting holes. And most importantly have patience.

 

Thanks for the encouragement. (Some of you ) The comet isn't a show car, it's a driver and a fun car. Part of the fun for me is doing stuff myself. I found a book about doing the top specific to the comet so I'll study that. There's also kits that sell the tack strips and cables and all. Should be fun.

Chopped, give your wife big props for helping you. That's a special woman there.

 

I had a top put on my 62 Tempest LeMans by a "professional" shop. At least if I had done it myself I could have screwed it up for free.

I'd go to a car show, find someone with a good looking top, and ask them if they did it themself or had it done. (Look at the man when you say that, not his wife. 'Could end up with a black eye.)

 

I hate trying to repair someones failed installation as its easier to just start over,a customer came in the shop today with a VW cabrolet with a crappy installation and did not like my quote to fix it as it had to come completely off to do it right and still no guarentees that it will be perfect when I am done. A 64 comet should not be that hard but its still nice to have a good old top and window for references.