Hardtop windshield cap (1 Viewer)

[wombat]

I am restoring my top and took the gutters and windshield cap off and under the cap from factory was a thick hard sealer and the cap wasn't flush with fiberglass. I have heard others say you have to get the correct angle before riveting it back on so what is the correct way to re-install and seal this cap?

.

 

[Splangy]

The angle should take care of itself when it is riveted down. I would apply a good quality seam sealer down before installing.

 

[Stumpalama]

Vern,

What type of rivets are you using to attach it? I would try securing the windshield cap to to the windshield then dry fit the top to see what kind of gap you are looking at, then do what splangy said. Get a tube of sikaflex, run a fat bead then pop rivet it to let it cure. Then, if you are going to use regular rivets, you can clip the head off the pop rivets one at a time and replace them with the fasteners of your choice.

Nice job on the restoration by the way! The truck looks great.

 

[wombat]

Thanks Stump
I am using alum rivets like CCOT sells and i will try your method. I have been working on it for about 3 years and it is nice to finally drive it, you can't wipe the s%%t eating grin off my face.

 

[wombat]

Speaking of sealer has anyone used that soft rv putty tape that they use on all trailers and mo-ho's or would it be too soft for that cap? When i took the top apart i noticed that there was no sealant either side of the rubber gasket from the factory and no sealant between the gutter and fiberglass roof. I was thinking of leaving the gasket dry but putting a thin bead between roof and gutter. What do you think?

 

[Stumpalama]

Like butyl tape? They have it by the roll at Lordco. I was going to use it on the windshield gasket, but haven't yet. I think it would work very well in that application. Just use one bead though. You don't water to find a way in but not out.

 

[Fast Eddy]

That tape you're talking about sounds very much like plumber's putty that you can get in 1" wide strips with paper separating it.

Ed

 

[wombat]

I have never installed rivets before and i see most people use the CCOT method of rebar and hammer. I was wondering why not those hand rivet guns or air operated guns?

 

[wombat]

So has anyone ever used a rivet gun??

 

[coinoperated40]

So has anyone ever used a rivet gun??

I used a air chisel, took the round blade and concaved the tip to fit the head of rivet and used a body dolley on the back side. It couldn't of worked any better. I also used some kind of sticky, thick, black seam type sealer all the way around the metal to fiberglass. It never had the sealer from the factory AFAIK, but from what I have seen as a leaking problem, what I did can't hurt.
Line everything up, even put a lot of the rivets in all the way around, and use tape to hold them in place, or the vibration will remove them. One person can do it, but two is better.
I did rivets from the top with no washers on either top or bottom.

 

[wombat]

I have to ask this question 1 more time, why cant i use a hand or air operated rivet gun. I have tried to get the domed topped rivets that you hammer in locally and they just have the 2 piece rivets that are used in the rivet guns. Seems to me it would be a lot easier with a gun than hammering 150 rivets.

 

[Stumpalama]

CCOT sells them they can drop them in padded envelope and mail 'em to you. Or we can find another way to get 'em to you.

I think the issue is clearance and the fact that the pop rivets don't fully flatten out when you compress them. Also, on the visor piece, they leave a hole for water to get in.

 

[coinoperated40]

Just don't think pop rivets are the way to go. As said before, the rivets may stick down to much and could interfear with the gasket around the side. Buck up and get a cheap airgun and smash some rivets. It worked best as a two person project.
Good luck
Shane

 

[bikersmurf]

The hammer down rivets are easy enough to use. I've used pop rivets in the past, but they were thick and stuck down into the rubber seal.

Try an aircraft supply place... Jeune Brothers or Tandy Leather.

If I can find it, I've got a domer to round over the heads...

 

[Caddisfly]

Splangy, can you post a picture of your rivet tool -- the one that you made by modifying a pair of vise grips? I used it to install all the rivets on my roof, and what I discovered is that it works beautifully. The rivets look like the stock ones, and the whole process did not take much time at all.

<edit> I just realized that Splangy responded in May of 2013.

wombat, you should send a private message to him.

 

[Buffchief]

Thanks Stump
I am using alum rivets like CCOT sells and i will try your method. I have been working on it for about 3 years and it is nice to finally drive it, you can't wipe the s%%t eating grin off my face.

Try 25 years!!