C4 Corvette Convertible Top Replacement - Just Top This!

18: If the vertical positioning of the top was correct, when you finish gluing the rear bow, the corners should look like this: rolled over the edge with no buckling of material. Nothing looks worse than a top that is rolling away from the bow and has a big gap between the rear deck and the top when latched in position. When properly placed, the top material should be close to the deck at all points.

19: We use a homemade hooked wire to pull the cables through the sewn-in chases for the side retention cables. The cables are then hooked into the frame at the front-bow area. These cables are also available from Corvette Central if necessary. Since they help keep wind noise down and prevent water intrusion, you don't want to leave them out.

20: Now that the cables are in place, we can finish the top install at the front. We roll the material over the front bow and then put the top in the raised position to again let it seek its proper position naturally. We also can take a look to see if things are fitting correctly. If yes, we then apply adhesive and finish up the gluing. Remember to keep the edge of the welting slightly upward and tight against the edge when gluing for the best finished look.

21: All of the later tops use an adhesive applied to the center-bow retainer strips to keep the retainer strips in place until the headliner retainer strips are clipped over the center bows. We stuck the top center strips in place, and now we're pushing the headliner retainer in place, which can be very difficult. We found that silicone spray can help ease the retainer in place. these center top retainer strips can rip loose, giving some tops that "ballooning" effect.

22: GM used closed-cell foam to seal the weatherstrip retainers to the convertible-top frame which we found difficult to source. Home Depot has a roll of a very similar product called Armacell insulating wrap. This product allows you to cut it to fit, and it provides the same type seal with an adhesive backing as the original product.

23: Now is the time for any needed adjustments to reposition the top, and these can be made at the rear bow. Remember the rear bow weatherstrip is a one-shot install, so make sure you're satisfied with the top placement before you glue the weatherstrip in place. When everything looks correct, and the excess top material is cut from the rear bow, the rear bow weatherstrip is installed by stuffing it into the retainer after applying a bead of adhesive.

24: If you're replacing all the weatherstrip like we did, you can install the center weatherstrips now. The two plastic pushpins can be aggravating to install because they're placed at an angle into the retainer. It's important to use them for proper weatherstrip placement. Just feel around until they start to go into place. They will go in somewhat easily once positioned properly. The job is now complete.

25: A brand-new top on a sweet Corvette is hard to beat.