Top frame question

[spiderman1]

I am proceeding with my 1982 restore and hope to have final paint this spring. My current top is pretty good and want to get a few more years from it if possible but would like to look under the top at the frame and inspect for rust etc. Is it advisable to take off a top and try to re-install it back onto the car? I really have not inspected all that is glued etc. and don't really know if its possible to remove and reinstall one.
Thanks for the help.

David

[DieselSpider]

You can try and hope for the best however the intermediate bows should all be wrapped and glued and the front rib glued, screwed and riveted. You will have many opportunities to stretch out and tear the top but if your slow and methodical it can be done if the top is not already too brittle.

If your really fortunate they may have skimped on the glue when they last replaced the top and its already failed so you will just be removing screws, drilling out rivets and releasing cable clamps.

Plastic putty knives, plastic scrapers and plastic mini pry bars will be your friends.

I would at least release the top from the rear cowling for painting to ensure you won't have a paint or rust line showing when you do replace the top.

[spiderman1]

Thanks for the advice. The top is off the car now so the body paint will be good. lots of repair done-I may choose to wait for the frame painting until I have a new top