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Time to install the ragtop - here is the
section trimmed to size.
Viewed: 152
times.
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As per the VW Trends tech how-to article
the rag section was cut with a 1/2 inch flange around from the
inside edge of ragtop. (looks a little more than 1/2 inch in
the pic - hard to get right angle)
Viewed: 134
times.
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Blasted a few areas and stripped with
wire wheel on the grinder - followed by etch primer.
Viewed: 136 times.
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Made a simple T-brace out of framing
timber used in combination with a bottle jack to hold ragtop
up with enough pressure to keep it there but still allow
adjustment for positioning.
Viewed: 132
times.
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VW trends showed 3 1/2in from side door
jamb support to ragtop seam at front corners - mine worked out
at 3 3/8 each side centred.
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times.
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Front corner of rag section to windscreen
support was 3 inches (photo angle again deceiving) - just make
sure both sides are the same.
Viewed: 116
times.
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Rear corners to side door jam support
above rear 1/4 windows measured up at 2 1/4in where rag
section drops down.
Viewed: 106
times.
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rag section back in place with nikko
marks for reference points later on - also scribe inside edge
of ragtop opening onto roof.
Viewed: 112
times.
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Next mark a line 1/4in outside the
scribed line right around (I know - should be using metric
measurements....couldn't be bothered converting for this
exercise).
Viewed: 126 times.
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Say goodbye hardtop..
Viewed: 113
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Cut along nikko line (being conservative
of course) - first cut - measured about a thousand times first
though. This was the point there is no turning
back.
Viewed: 131 times.
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Dang - a lot less roof than before. This
is just rough cut at the moment. Used an air powered hacksaw
but as the roof became looser it jams a lot - had to move to a
nibbler - just left a fair bit of material inside of line so I
can clean it up later.
Viewed: 126
times.
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Hello sunshine (eventually) - this is as
far as I got today - was too late to make any more noise! Next
weekend will see the cut cleaned up and rag section welded in
(stay tuned).
Viewed: 116 times.
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Things have progressed...first up had to
make holes every two inches around the sides and back for spot
welds (a pneumatic punch/flange tool saves lots and lots of
time and hassle if you have to drill these out!). Cleaned up
surrounding areas in readiness for welding.
Viewed:
172 times.
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Next, jacked up the ragtop section with
the use of the bottle jack again - those nikko marks on the
inside really helped to line things up without the necessity
for much measuring.
Viewed: 179
times.
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All spot (rosette) welded up using a mig.
Obviously alternate front and back side to side to minimise
warping.
Viewed: 185 times.
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Welds ground back - 4in grinder to knock
the tops off then a 90degree die grinder with course sanding
disc to smooth things out.
Viewed: 174
times.
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Front view shows the lip and the front
edge that was seam welded - have to take this very slowly to
avoid the wobbles. If there was one thing I'd do differently
I'd leave a bigger lip on the front edge of ragtop section,
then cut the front edge of the hole slightly bigger so you
don't have to weld right up against the raised lip.
Viewed: 190 times.
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Filler work over this last couple of days
see things slowly smoothing out - shoulders are dead from
sanding all day - lots more to come still though!
Viewed:
167 times.
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More work required on the front lip to
make it look respectable...although I am a little picky.
Whacked on some etch primer to stop the rust until next
weekend when block sanding, filling, guide coating, high build
priming and more sanding etc will resume! Ahh body work is fun
(sorta - just wish it was quicker!).
Viewed: 176
times.
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After more filling, sanding, guide
coating, sanding, more filling, sanding etc etc things are
finally smoothing out nicely. Hard to tell from the pics
though!
Viewed: 160 times.
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A little more blade putty to tidy up
little scratches, then high build primer...another guide coat
and hopefully thats it till paint!
Viewed: 188
times.
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Had the Golde rails polished the other
day - nice and shiny
Viewed: 137
times.
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...and handle rechromed...
Viewed: 113
times.
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Album: 