Targa top skin replacement

[56 nomad]

Hello.
Want to replace my targa top skin ... Did a search cant find what i am looking for.
Is the top skin glued onto the felt or is it held in place by the bars and side rails etc? Any threads on replacement?
Thanks, ben

[Targalid]

You can always do what I did: I sprayed the top with Chip Guard from NAPA. It looks pretty much original and takes about ten minutes. Just mask the edges with masking tape, while off the car, of course.

[Daviboy]

try these threads and links as I am looking to do mine as well
Targa Help advice needed/seals
Targa Top noise and leaks
World Upholstery,Targa top install instructions
911 Targa

[dad911]

Dan's the man.... http://www.carsinc-nj.com/about_us.htm

[RSTarga]

+1 on Dan Pechtel at Carsinc. This should not be attempted by anyone without a jig for the top. He does top quality work and at a very reasonable price. Quick turnaround too.

[Targa Me]

If your car is a show car, call Dan Pechtel.
If not and you're a DIY'r...try it.
I did my own top...yes it did not come out perfect but I had a good time doing it and got to know my car a little better.
That was four years ago, when it needs doing again; I'll do it again (now I know what I could have done differently.)
Don't let people scare you...THIS ISN'T BRAIN SURGERY. It's nothing like rebuilding your engine with spec and tolerances...things like that.

[Bob Kontak]

Dan says the main issue on the older tops is the webbing material ages and looses it's strength. The five or so slats that run front to back don't hold the slight arc shape when you clamp it down. If you are really itching to do it yourself, watch for ebay specials where Dan will re-webb your top for $200. Then you have a fighting chance to do a nice job with the under lay material and vinyl.

Also, bleed Dan for the right types of glue. He would probably sell you the correct stuff. He is a righteous dude.

[PorscheGAL]

This a project you can do yourself, but it does have challenges. I replaced mine and I couldn't get the front lip perfect. In the picture, see how the how the lip folds up and not flat against the front toward the windshield. This was hard to avoid and makes the top loud on the hwy. I think there is an art to getting this right.



If you decide to do it, then take plenty of pictures. Also, measure the inside webbing prior to removing it.

[56 nomad]

thanks,
i know there are others that can rebuild better, but i would like to give it a shot. i think only glue the underside flaps and not the fabric on the top...am i reading/getting it right...or does it have to be glued down on top to stop it from raising at speed? the stretching was great advice and makes sense to get the material tight on the the top etc.
any other tips form those that have done it?
thanks again for the information, ben

[rphillips]

I recently re-skinned my 72 and while not as nice a job as Dan from Cars inc would do, it's a vast improvement over it's previous condition. Take your time and take lots of pics. I used a contact cement "Super 800" or something like that, on the front and rear flap areas. I'll look when I get home this evening. It was perfect and probably very similar to what was used previously on my top. I read all those same posts but did things a little different in the end. Be careful to keep it square, mine shifted at one point and it took some adjusting to get it back to being wind tight. I did test it this past Saturday and hit speeds of 80 mph on the freeway and no wind noise, so I'm pleased. Far from perfect though. I'll post a pic later. I used the skin from our host.