Targa Top recovering.

[AFJuvat]

Hi all.

I have an 88 targa. The PO had the top recovered. Unfortunately, it was a poor job. The search button didn't reveal a whole lot of information. The tech articles are good, but I think they generalize a bit.

I'm considering re-doing the top myself. (top cover and headliner) using factory parts.

Does anyone have hints or tips about recovering? I'd like to hear some success stories, and warnings about any pitfalls along the way.

Thanks

AFJuvat

[scottb]

Contact Dan Pechtel at www.carsinc-nj.com. He's the man when it comes to Targa tops!

[5speed]

Pelican has provide a tech article on targa top recovering. Also widebody911 has a howto write up Do a search and you'll find a couple of more members who also have writeups on their webpages.

[Gordo2]

A few learning points from my recent top recover:

-Buy around 8 good clamps/hand grips to hold the cover in place while glue dries
-Get the cover as tight as you can from passenger to driver's side. I thought I had mine tight enough, but mine still ended up a little loose/wavy.
-Buy new small backing plates that the foldable bar locking latches bolt to. Mine were gooned up and ended up costing additional time to address.
-Two people make the job much easier.

Gordo

[trader220]

I can attest to Dan's work he re-covered my top abut 2 years ago and did an fine job.

[efhughes3]

I got a kit from the guy in Europe who's on ebay a lot. It was first rate, and came out pretty good. $200 as I recall?

I've heard nothing but good about carsinc, but wanted to save a few bucks and try it myself.

I did it because my old top would billow up at DE's-it was embarrassing.

[strupgolf]

Has anyone bought the 'hard top cover', that has been advertised on E-bay over the last few months. It looks like a great fit, and easy to stow and use. Its sells for $350.00. My top is ok, but does have wind noise. I havent driven long distances yet, but let me know what you think.

[AFJuvat]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Time to ponder my options.

AFJuvat

[wowzer911]

I HAVE THAT EBAY HARDTOP ONLY BOUGHT IT USED FROM SOMEONE ELSE FOR $300. VERY VERY LIGHT DUTY TOP, BUT I STILL LIKE IT. SAVES ON MY FOLDING TOP, SEALS GOOD, ATTACHMENT IS SOMEWHAT CRUDE.

[telone2]

I have a 79 Targa. The top was in sorry shape when I got the car. Had it redone at a local shop, and he did a very good job. The only advice I would offer is make sure all the clips are in good shape and that the top locks in place in all 8 of them. Mine idn't and the wind noise was unbearable. I took it back and after some looking we figured out that the frame wasn't engaging under the clips. We fixed that and it looks like a new one. The headliner also looks great! The local guy said he had done several for local P owners over the years in this small town. Cost .... $200.00! Not bad!

[strep]

Try to do it in the sun ! It helps. I did mine about 3 years ago. Almost perfect. It is a nightmare. You need 2 people. The front lip was the hardest for me.

[GothingNC]

Check out this website

http://www.vintagebus.com/

Scroll down to the section "Porsche Stuff" and there is a link to redo the Targa top.

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by GothingNC

Check out this website

http://www.vintagebus.com/

Scroll down to the section "Porsche Stuff" and there is a link to redo the Targa top.

Did you even take the time to read the thread before posting? Thom's site is mentioned in the third post...

[GothingNC]

Originally Posted by efhughes3

Did you even take the time to read the thread before posting? Thom's site is mentioned in the third post...

I missed that post.

Sorry.