recovering Targa top

[rfix'n]

I was planning on doing this myself but have run out of time and sun. I've seen this site and its prices, http://www.carsinc-nj.com/tops.html I have also seen an ad for a Dan (Dave?) in Excellence. Anyone have good/bad experience with either one?

------------------
Rob Fix
'78 SC Targa

[This message has been edited by robfix (edited 09-04-2001).]

[davis911s]

I have not had experiences with either but Dan at carsinc, is from what I hear THE BEST at Targas. If I ever have work done to mine it WILL go to him

Just my opinion

Shawn

[Jdub]

If you live in/near Seattle I can do this for you.

Jw

[rfix'n]

90 minutes north in the hopping metropolis of Bellingham. I'll send you an e-mail.

[john walker's workshop]

steve shepp, in seattle is the best upholsterer i've ever used. he's done lots of tops. 206.625.9398

[Jdub]

JohnW knows his stuff. I have recovered a total of two, and so can advise/perform on the cheap. I have studied the little buggers pretty closely though.

My top came out great, but I don't have access to the pin jigs needed to set up the plates for the webbing should your top be that far gone. Mine was not, so only the pins, burlap, inner and outer skins were redone.

It is really not that tough a job no matter what folks tell you. I've done this and the rear deck/seats and, while time-consuming, was pretty straightforward. You certainly want it done in a warm shop, or on a hot day. This ensures that the skin is as loose as it can get. Failing that, your dryer with a couple of towels can turn the trick.

I'll mail you offline. Let me be very clear that a professional is a professional, and I am no professional!

Jw

[team5150]

I agree with Jdub. I took this project on with the top on my 74 and I was surprised how easy it was.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_targa_top_recover/911_targa_top_recover.htm


I did not have to do any reconstructive work - only recover the top.

My feeling was - I'll try it and all I have to lose is $80 for the new top if I REALLY screw it up - THEN I would send it to one of the professionals to pay what I would have anyway.

Don't be afraid, if it's just the top and the foam piece - go for it. You might as well change out the headliner while you're at it too - it's cheap and it actually makes it easier to put back together.



------------------
Tom Sharpes
90 C2 Targa
http://members.rennlist.com/myc2

[car911]

While on this topic, anyone know a good source for the miscellaneous hardware? I am thinking of the plastic covers for the rear locator pins. Also, the locator sockets on the Targa bar have two little bumpers, one of which has fallen off on mine.

Also, anyone know how they are installed?

(I have looked in the Pelican catalog and they are not listed)

[Leland Pate]

car911, I had a hell of a time trying to find those little hard rubber pin covers too. If I remember correctly, Doc & Cy's about 3 years ago. I don't even know if they are still in business. Email Pelican and check with them first. Many times they can get stuff that is not listed in the online catalog.


Be prepared for soar hands...those little buggers were a *****!

[Planter91C2]

check the dealer, pelican and other places do not have that type of hardware. i needed the plastic pins which go in the joints in the targa top where it folds and the dealer price was only a couple bucks.

------------------
Daryl 964 Targa

[Markus30]

I was able to get some rear pin covers at the dealer for a few dollars each. For removal/installation I used a hair dryer to heat up the plastic (and carfully shielded the rest of the targa top from the heat).

Markus

[Jdub]

Guys, Dan at Carsinc has all of this!

See carsinc-nj.com. Full price list as well. I can give you the upside on how to slide the pin covers on, how to get the front pins off (be VERY careful) etc.

Jw

[car911]

Originally posted by Jdub:
Guys, Dan at Carsinc has all of this!

See carsinc-nj.com. Full price list as well. I can give you the upside on how to slide the pin covers on, how to get the front pins off (be VERY careful) etc.

Jw

Thanks - so how do you get the old pin covers off and new ones on? Use a heat gun as suggested by a previous post?

I'm also interested in the little 'bumpers' near the sockets on the targa bar itself. One of them is missing and I try playing around with the others but can't tell whether they screw in, or are a press fit or whatever.

[Jdub]

Old pin covers, rear of course, come off with the fresh Xacto knife you purchased for this project. Cut that bad boy off, then clean the pin itself thoroughly using acetone or electric contact cleaner (careful of that material Eugene!). You want NO junk on the pin that might hinder the sliding on of the pin cover: this is especially true for the indents on the pin itself, so get all of the crud out of there.

Now, what happens next depends on how much of a b$#ch the pin and cover want to be. Prepare a method to push the pin on. I located a washer in my bin whose internal ID exactly matched the OD (Outside Diameter) of the fattest part of the pin cover, just above the "brim edge" that is at the bottom of the pin (think hat and brim here). Sliding that washer on, I then found a deep socket that pushed against this washer. Get the picture? Pin, slide washer over pin to bottom, put this assembly into deep socket that tightly fits to the cover. Now, with the socket, you can put on a socket extension that gives you a handle to push the piece on. Spray hairspray on the pin, line em up, and push like crazy. The hairspray lubricates the pin, and will eventually harden up to grip the two together (like they need it...). If you fail, simply clean up with acetone and try again. Like all good things on this earth, it is lubrication and heat that give you satisfaction ;>

EDIT: You can always drill a small hole at the tip of the pin cover to let the air pass out, making the slipon a bit easier.

The front pins are another matter. The cover is not meant to be replaced independent of the pin. Better to VERY VERY carefully unscrew the pin. This is done by ever so gently getting a wrench on the pin base, turning it in (not out) very slightly, then moving it back out. What you are doing here is just breaking the inevitable rust/corrosion from the alum. pin to steel threading in the top (alum+steel=natural corrosion). Dose the area with a penetrating fluid, move the pin in and out within the already-established band of movement, then try to loosen it a BIT more. Be SO careful here. New pin goes in with nice dose of anti-seize only.

I am unsure what the bumpers are you are referring to. If you mean the dome-shaped items on either side of the pin receptacle on the Targa bar, they are available from Dan. The center pin goes in after the piece is firmly pushed into the Targa bar hole provided for the pins. Sliding the middle pin into the dome secures the item to the 'bar.

Jw

[This message has been edited by Jdub (edited 09-07-2001).]

[Rot 911]

For plastic covers for the rear locator pins I just got some heat shrink tubing, slid it on, heated it up, it shrank, trimmed off excess at end. Course you might lose points at the concours doing this

Kurt V
72 911E