Vinyl Roof Replacement

[Polyal]

Looking for some advice on vinyl roof replacements.

The ZF's roof is n bad but not good enough and it looks like someone has dyed/painted it white from a light brownish colour.

So, plan is to take the old off and replace it with a dark brown to match the interior (or whatever brown shade was available in 1973).

Im expecting some surface rust and I know my drivers side a pillar will need some work while it is off.



What experiences have people had and what is the rough price range for the job?

And yes, I do want another one back, it's such a 70's style and suits the car perfectly.

[Citroënbender]

Bretto or jasz24k are probably your best bet for industry experience. May be worth having the corrosion scoped before you strip the roof, in case a delay is required to up the funding.

[lra]

25 years ago, I bought a HQ Monaro LS. The first thing I did was strip the vinyl roof off, because I thought it looked rubbish and was worried about rust.

Although it looked in good condition, there was surface rust starting under it, but nothing bad that a sand and matching body colour paint couldn't fix. It looked so much better in one colour. Can't remember the cost, but it was a lot less than I anticipated

Your front guard and doors seem to be a different green to the rear. ???

[73 4V XB]

I’ve been informed that the vinyl available now days isn’t as waterproof as it used to be. This comes from a professional fitter in QLD. The company I worked for used to fit vinyl roofs on the hearse’s but had trouble with water getting into it eventually lifting in place’s. We no longer fit the vinyl.
I’ve also heard there are places that have the older vinyl in stock buts very pricey, could be lies I’m not sure.
Have you thought of doing a two tone roof? They can look better than vinyl and no chance rusting in the future.

[hayseed]

Fitting a Vinyl was a Good way of Hiding Hail damage back in the Day. I've heard a few unpleasant Surprises when removing/replacing One..

[XR Martin]

Just get it vinyl wrapped.

[my67xr]

I guess you could try one of the many ceramic Hydrophobic UV coating's to help waterproof the new vinyl roof

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by lra

Your front guard and doors seem to be a different green to the rear. ???

Why would you say that? Do you walk around car shows doing the same?
Not cool crapping on somebodies pride and joy like that.

Great car Polyal, hope you get the roof sorted it's certainly worth while on a gem like that.

[Express]

Originally Posted by Polyal

So, plan is to take the old off and replace it with a dark brown to match the interior (or whatever brown shade was available in 1973).

Your call Polyal as it's your car and your taste but I love the way the car looks now and would replace the existing with a similar cream colour.

To me the brown would look too dark over that shade of green.

My old man had the vinyl roof removed from his HQ a couple of years after he bought the car, it was light brown over a cream body and it never suited it.

When removed the roof was completely covered in surface rust, he had it prepped and the roof painted white and it looked much better for it.

A trimmer paints vinyl and plastic interior pieces, can a vinyl roof also be painted to restore it?




.

[Captain Stubing]

The vinyl roof isn't a factory option, I think it was mostly dealer optioned. An old guy at work used to fit them when he was a lad, and he was all over my Fairlane vinyl roof live a kid trying to pick a PS4 game to play. It had to have the seams folded and stitched the right way to stop moisture getting in.

I agree, it suits the look of the old gal, and I'd keep it if possible.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

The vinyl roof isn't a factory option, I think it was mostly dealer optioned. An old guy at work used to fit them when he was a lad, and he was all over my Fairlane vinyl roof live a kid trying to pick a PS4 game to play. It had to have the seams folded and stitched the right way to stop moisture getting in.

I agree, it suits the look of the old gal, and I'd keep it if possible.

Yes mine has seams that I guess are folded and stitched, the material seems to be slightly cracked and the paint on it wearing so I thought it would be good to do the roof to make it look fresher. Im not 100% convinced I want to do a full body resto so plan was to keep the paint as is (scars and all) and do the roof and chrome.

If I can I want it period as much as I can.

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Bretto or jasz24k are probably your best bet for industry experience. May be worth having the corrosion scoped before you strip the roof, in case a delay is required to up the funding.

Yes, I know the a pillar is not going to be fun, so I was curious on peoples experience with costs..$1000, $2000 etc?

Originally Posted by lra

Your front guard and doors seem to be a different green to the rear. ???

No idea, maybe slightly but its not anywhere near a show car and I drive it anywhere so at the moment its not really an issue.

Originally Posted by 73 4V XB

I’ve been informed that the vinyl available now days isn’t as waterproof as it used to be. This comes from a professional fitter in QLD. The company I worked for used to fit vinyl roofs on the hearse’s but had trouble with water getting into it eventually lifting in place’s. We no longer fit the vinyl.
I’ve also heard there are places that have the older vinyl in stock buts very pricey, could be lies I’m not sure.
Have you thought of doing a two tone roof? They can look better than vinyl and no chance rusting in the future.

Well thats interesting, Im yet to email places that do GT resto's to see what they charge, I figured thats going to be the top end of the options but I may to see what they use.

I just cant see a two tone working for me with just paint, there is a tactile and visual difference with the vinyl that paint cant match IMO.

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Why would you say that? Do you walk around car shows doing the same?
Not cool crapping on somebodies pride and joy like that.

Great car Polyal, hope you get the roof sorted it's certainly worth while on a gem like that.

Thanks, she is a bit of a roughy but we do enjoy it for what it is.

Originally Posted by Express

Your call Polyal as it's your car and your taste but I love the way the car looks now and would replace the existing with a similar cream colour.

To me the brown would look too dark over that shade of green.

My old man had the vinyl roof removed from his HQ a couple of years after he bought the car, it was light brown over a cream body and it never suited it.

When removed the roof was completely covered in surface rust, he had it prepped and the roof painted white and it looked much better for it.

A trimmer paints vinyl and plastic interior pieces, can a vinyl roof also be painted to restore it?

.

I got the brown idea as it has saddle interior and I saw a ZF/ZG brochure with one the same green with a brown roof (dark, not fawn) and thought it looked ok.

I dont have white walls on it anymore, I think the white is OK so possible I go white again. Im keen to make it slightly different/unique.

I can see how cream and light brown are too close, black is nice but I remember my dad having a black vinyl roof and in summer it got bloody hot.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by my67xr

I guess you could try one of the many ceramic Hydrophobic UV coating's to help waterproof the new vinyl roof

image

will certainly ask the workshop the best way to protect once its done.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Looking for some advice on vinyl roof replacements.

The ZF's roof is n bad but not good enough and it looks like someone has dyed/painted it white from a light brownish colour.

So, plan is to take the old off and replace it with a dark brown to match the interior (or whatever brown shade was available in 1973).

Im expecting some surface rust and I know my drivers side a pillar will need some work while it is off.

image

What experiences have people had and what is the rough price range for the job?

And yes, I do want another one back, it's such a 70's style and suits the car perfectly.

Had two brothers in the car panel beating restoration business many years ago, look up your local auto-trimmers (upholsterers) as these people will the one you want for your vinyl roof replacement.

Good luck with your replacement, the old girl looks schmick!
Cheers.

[ford71V8]

Yeah, schmick indeed - I would be very happy with your Fairlane parked up in my shed :-) Love the ZF/G's



The current colour vinyl works well because it ties in with the trim line running down the body.
I can see how a match to the interior might work, but I would worry its too far on the darker side....my opinion only, I'm sure many choices would still work nicely

[jstanovic]

I agree that the current colours are pretty cool together. Someone suggested vinyl wrapping, don’t they do that in a textured finish?

Or plastidip? ��

[aussiblue]

This company in the states still sells the original type material and list on ebay motors (e.g. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-1999-2...AAAOSwnHZYepcM and https://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-96-199...AAAOSwnHZYepcM ) so it be may be worth contacting them here: https://www.ebay.com/str/Auto-Headli...p2047675.l2563 to see if they can supply one to fit. I've bought rolls of foam backed headliner material rather than vinyl/Landeau roof material from them in the past and am a happy customer.

[71cop]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

The vinyl roof isn't a factory option, I think it was mostly dealer optioned. An old guy at work used to fit them when he was a lad, and he was all over my Fairlane vinyl roof live a kid trying to pick a PS4 game to play. It had to have the seams folded and stitched the right way to stop moisture getting in.

I agree, it suits the look of the old gal, and I'd keep it if possible.

When did vinyl roofs stop being a factory option ?

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by 71cop

When did vinyl roofs stop being a factory option ?

Probably with the XD? Someone will correct me. Maybe a Capri counts as having a vinyl roof.

I should have said, "The vinyl roof isn't always a factory option"

A lot of options have been fitted by dealers, it was probably quicker than ordering that option from the factory. The build info on my Fairlane doesn't mention vinyl roofs, but it has scrolls screwed onto the C-pillar that are similar to XA coupes around that time.

I'm happy to be proven wrong, so I can learn more.

[FairmontGS]

ZG factory options were vinyl roof in black, blue, green, beige or brown or Twotone (painted roof) in white.

So it could be a factory roof dyed white as you say.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

Probably with the XD? Someone will correct me.

Correct - XD and ZJ were the last factory offered. No wagons.

[boss351290]

No chance. The last Fords with factory vinyl roof where P6 LTD and ZH Fairlane. No XD variants had it fitted. Some might have been dealer fitted but not factory. By the the way XC, ZH and P6 where also the last Fords to have Factory Fitted Sunroof. After that it was cut and shut.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by boss351290

No chance. The last Fords with factory vinyl roof where P6 LTD and ZH Fairlane. No XD variants had it fitted. Some might have been dealer fitted but not factory. By the the way XC, ZH and P6 where also the last Fords to have Factory Fitted Sunroof. After that it was cut and shut.

Uh, yeah, sure.

[kcodezd]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

Uh, yeah, sure.

I’m sensing a post off.

I for one like a vinyl roof and think they should make a comeback.

Has anyone ever seen a vinyl on a Euro? IE Merc BMW or Audi etc from the 60’s or 70’s?

I really want one on my w123. When I get back to it.

[my67xr]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

ZG factory options were vinyl roof in black, blue, green, beige or brown or Twotone (painted roof) in white.

So it could be a factory roof dyed white as you say.

You forgot tan, option 86
https://hardtophub.com.au/options

[xb74_black]

I'd love an FG with a vinyl roof, I reckon it would look really schmick.

[MS33LU]

I thought option 86 was vent windows

[UTXR8]

my 351 xe spack is bahama beige with a black vinyl roof and looks awesome...vinyl, right job and colour, looks fantastic....i cant be bothered putting up a pic here as its just a total headfcuk.....

[my67xr]

Originally Posted by MS33LU

I thought option 86 was vent windows

Yeah it is on XA's and ZF's, down below the Hardtop option's