Vinyl Top Installation - '68 Cougar

In this video, we watch as a professional installs a vinyl top on a 1968 Mercury Cougar. After observing the process, we think this is a job that the average do-it-yourself-er can handle. It does require a certain amount of finesse, but not as much as a headliner installation requires (see our other video on that subject).
This premium quality vinyl top can be found on our website here: www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/st...
Economy vinyl tops also available: www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/67...
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[@strattuner]

your installer is a pro,tell him I said so,pros know when to grimace and get mad at the cold and inferior products,it was a pleasure to watch him work,thx

[@Wooley689]

Been watching these videos, have to say they are among the best at how to. Actually show the process instead of just before and after.

[@estpst]

always enjoy watching a true craftsman at work.

[@1320420]

Vinyl installer is a master of his craft Bravo!

[@erikhelbing2929]

I ordered the SMS vinyl top for my car. $350 to my door- thank you for this video. Now starts the fun part

[@327radar]

How did you go?

[@jennydiazvigneault5548]

I got a top for my 78 Lincoln from SMS. They were helpful. Their price was good and I would be happy to use them again. It takes about a month to get the top.

[@aymericschell7906]

1000 thank you ! I have to do it on a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow ! This video will help me !

[@bbay1977]

That's a Damn good job. I dont even own a car with a vinyl top but I see now i have to get one. I was just wondering what all was involved in replacing one. Thanks for posting this

[@juanrivas6649]

adan yo soy un dalvadoreño que mire sus videos pues yo deseaba aprender a montar capotas convertibles y los vinyl top y ya aprendi muchas gracias gente como ustedes son pocas por que nadie quiere enseñar pues yo estoy muy agradecido con usted y su patron gracias a todos alli tengan buen dia y feliz navidad.

[@michaelparadisis4076]

Beautiful job

[@TheRuffusMD]

i thought it looked great without the vinyl roof .. i think it was great that you admitted you couldn't do it .. not many can do this..it always pays to get it done right .. you have to wonder how long it takes at the factory to put in a head liner and vinyl roof . plus the lead filler..

[@ryanasprey6243]

Great, informative vid as usual guys!

[@MeRc1967z]

Nice video.. Came out super clean..

[@stangcaddy]

Great video guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

To some extent, you can pull the vinyl up off the glue and reposition it, but it's difficult (especially when you use as much glue as we did). Obviously you want to try to get it perfect the first time, but usually you can fix mistakes if you catch them quickly before you go much further.

[@juanrivas6649]

este señor hace un fantastico tra- bajo y profesional bueno con el se puede aprender fasilmente hacer esa clase de traba- jo y buen trabajo porque como repi to el trabaja fino gracias por este video

[@Innochamp]

Really good job👍🏻

[@betofagundes5550]

Trabalho perfeito, muito bom, parabéns...

[@Kevinmham]

Your installer should be wearing a respirator. I'm an automotive trimmer, and have installed many vinyl tops. Steam works great on the cheaper vinyl tops, but the more expensive materials, like British everflex vinyls, don't respond well to heat or steam. They just require lots of pulling!

[@michaelhaines2282]

Got a question for you about vinyl tops

[@jeffreyfelder7981]

Great video, thank you... I have one I may have to do on an old Cadillac Brougham.... I'm hoping I buy the better roof

[@therrienmichael08]

After I fix my limo's roof I'm going to get a garage and do some detailing on the side. I always wondered how this was done.

[@juanrivas6758]

Muy buen trabajo muy profecional Gracias

[@danmurphy7713]

As someone who has done auto upholstry I know this is tricky , but the seam on the right side of the roof is not strait . Why are you installing this in a cold shop ? Thats just asking for problems . If this were my car you would be redoing this . It needs to be at least 75 or warmer in the shop . I bet the material wasnt cheap .

[@richardnott9587]

Mine doesn't have one but i wished it always did so i think i can do that. Probably not as fast but willing to try. Probably need to get the stud gun and trim. Hopefully they are available.

[@8477willy]

geweldig mooi geworden

[@Oldgunguy62]

good video thanks i am gonna give it a try on my 72 Caddy

[@busterlouie6176]

How did your vinyl top turnout sir?

[@madmanmechanic8847]

I wish you would of shown how he got the tension that was rolled up in the back corners laid down I wanted to know how he got the back corners to lay down

[@69302mustang]

good job

[@jaromonkey]

Hi, astonishing job you did there. I was wondering what material you used for covering your roof? Is it easily to get on ebay?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

+Jarosław Świder This is the top we used: www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/store/p/13820-Vinyl-Top-BLACK-Premium-Repro-1967-1968-Mercury-Cougar.html

[@pvgreen621]

I noticed there was no insolite used. Is it better to not used insolite under the vinyl?

[@jennydiazvigneault5548]

I watched a video of a vinyl top installation in which they used a steamer to take out wrinkles as they stretched the top. Do you suggest that?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

+Joseph Howard We're not experts on the subject, but it sounds like it can't hurt! However, stretching the vinyl over the roof should get rid of any wrinkles anyway, so we're not sure if steaming is necessary.

[@caddi70]

Is the vinyl for a roof different from doing seat covers? I have vinyl that has the cloth backside and wanted to make my own top to match the seats

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Good question! Not sure, but it seems like the factory material used for vinyl tops was thicker and more durable than the upholstery vinyl. And of course the texture was different, with more of a rough grain. If your car lives inside most of the time, you could probably get away with using upholstery vinyl for your top, but it wouldn't hold up to the elements as well as a proper vinyl top.

[@michaluebi4038]

good music 👍

[@juanos9712]

Where can I buy yards of premium vinyl? Great video to diy

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Not sure if they sell the material outright, but SMS Auto Fabrics

[@Desertskyobservatoy1925]

I might be purchasing a 64 Pontiac Grand Prix that originally had a vinyl top. The current owner owned a undercoating shop and had the old top removed when painting the car and did the top in a krinkle black finish. From a distance, you can't tell the difference, however I want to put the vinyl back down. Does the krinkle finish have to be sanded or will the new vinyl top adhere to it? Also, I checked on SMS, no availability for this model/yr...do you have any other recommendations? Great video and the installer is tops!

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

It would probably be best to sand down the crinkle finish, depending on how bumpy it is. As for the vinyl top itself, not sure who else to recommend as Pontiacs aren't our thing! But it looks like OPG has them: www.opgi.com/grand-prix/1964/vinyl-tops/tops/PVT2104/

[@Desertskyobservatoy1925]

@@WestCoastClassicCougar I did find OPGI originally, good price...hope the top is good quality. Many thanks for the help!

[@Kristy_not_kristine]

I have a 68 cougar and am ready to restore it. It does not have a vinyl roof currently, but it is obvious that it originally did have one. What are the pros and cons with restoring it to its original condition with the vinyl top? I like the way it looks better, but maybe there is a reason someone removed it?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Pros: taking the car back to original. Some would say it is aesthetically pleasing. Cons: Some would say it is more aesthetically pleasing without the vinyl roof. Having a vinyl top put on professionally is not cheap. Plus back in the day, they trapped moisture, which lead to rust underneath the vinyl roof material and around the rear window. So many have been removed to save the roof from rusting.

[@iceship1]

is there a better paint to put under the top.. or is the even a oil base paint to use under it. ..

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

+jeremy hunt Something like this would be a good idea: www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/store/p/12594-Chassis-Saver-Paint-SATIN-BLACK-1qt-New-1967-1973-Mercury-Cougar-/-1967-1973-Ford-Mustang.html

[@spignetti]

I've had the vinyl top put on my 70 mustang coupe. I need to finish is off. I don't have the original set so I have to be creative. Any ideas? no aftermarket trim sets exist...

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

I'd look for good used pieces on ebay, or find a parts car, or a Mustang vendor who salvages used parts.

[@kitd4386]

What type of glue is this?

[@juanrivas6758]

Hola adan le quiero pedir un favor si puede decirme por que mi pistola tira peloteado mi pegamento me podria decir con que se adelgasa o me podria recomendar. Un pegamento por favor

[@cobrajetter]

It could not have taken this long to do it on the assembly line. When it comes to upholstery, brute strength is a big part.

[@Anth4044]

I'm having my Caprice brougham vinyl redone can you please tell me what do I use to care for it ?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

That is not something we know a lot about, but there are several videos here on KZbin about caring for vinyl tops: kzbin.info?search_query=Clean+Vinyl+Roof

[@ademilsonthomazi]

top man

[@davidomarine71]

does it have to be painted or can it just be primed?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Paint is a better sealer than primer, so we'd definitely recommend paint + clear!

[@rustysausage69]

Is it 100% necessary to have the drip rail trim off of the car before the installation? The windshield trim yes, but i dont know about the drip rails.

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Yes, because ideally you want the vinyl to go under the trim and have the trim help hold it in place.

[@rustysausage69]

West Coast Classic Cougar I see. Thanks for letting me know.

[@fireyman99]

Is it possible to replace the vinyl top without disturbing the headliner?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Yes, probably! You do have to have the front and rear glass out, but you should be able to carefully peel away the old vinyl top while leaving the headliner wrapped around the pinch welds. If that doesn't work, and the vinyl pulls the headliner off with it, you can use contact adhesive to glue the headliner back in place as you go. It should be pretty easy to get it back into the same position, since it will be creased where it was before.

[@fireyman99]

@@WestCoastClassicCougar Thanks for the reply. I'll have to get that done one of these days. The vinyl top on my 68 is in very poor condition...

[@tonygoulart3693]

How much to install the vynil top. labor only?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

It all depends on who installs it! If we remember right, the labor cost for this top was around $250.

[@dukebmxrider]

West Coast Classic Cougar you cheepskate! I woulda paid him a grand & gave him a hug for that beautiful job

[@jonnysrods]

What abot the seam not being strait... did he fix that?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Sadly not, it was too late by the time we noticed. Something to keep in mind!

[@jonnysrods]

would rip that new top right off of there and start over. To me, a restored car should not have such an obvious defect. you were too nice. @@WestCoastClassicCougar

[@teranhughes77]

Why put another vinyl roof on to begin with? --just a moisture trap

[@Kristy_not_kristine]

it looks better

[@streetfire7787]

whereor what type of glue is it ,,or where do you buy ?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Just do a web search for "landau top adhesive contact cement", there are several companies that make a contact cement that will work for vinyl top applications.

[@streetfire7787]

@@WestCoastClassicCougar ok i did ,,,it looks like DAP makes one ..and if its sprayed in a gun,,,does it require a reducer ?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

@@streetfire7787 You would have to read the instructions for the product you choose to see what is required.

[@harveyboy4461]

Love all that glue ovetspray! Paint brush mush easier and less mess.

[@hotwheel6663]

I thought vinyl tops were a No No as they trap moisture?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

There's always that potential danger, but it's more of a style and originality choice. Many of these Cougars came with vinyl tops from the factory, so people restoring their cars to factory appearance want to replace the vinyl. Considering that these are now classics that are usually stored in a garage and pampered, the danger of rust is significantly reduced. Another factor is that factory vinyl top cars didn't get painted on the roof, whereas most people doing restorations will coat their roof to help protect it. So at the end of the day, it's up to the owner to make these choices.

[@andrewtikhonov6635]

👍👍👍👍

[@danmurphy7713]

Use a 6 way streatch material

[@drummerdad80]

I need to put new vinyl on my 71 monte carlo

[@mr7.62gang5]

Ebay

[@edgarreyes1778]

so no padding is necessary?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

The Cougar did not use a pad under the vinyl top. Here is the most correct vinyl top offered for the 67-68 Cougar: secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/store/p/13820-Vinyl-Top-BLACK-Premium-Repro-1967-1968-Mercury-Cougar.html

[@flanagan515]

any other brands other than sms that have as good of quality? the customer service for them has been pretty miserable to deal with.

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Kee makes a pretty good one. Texture isn't quite as nice but it does have the more durable backing like the SMS. Would still recommend the Kee over the "economy" version.

[@flanagan515]

ty very much for the prompt reply!

[@yves3560]

There she goes, ready to rust again. Good job btw.

[@williamboardman9476]

"Looks more natural...." Vinyl.

[@soybomoh]

"relatively simple installation"...says the guy holding the camera. It takes years to master vinyl tops, brosef. The cheaper tops you mentioned form better to the body and don't crack from over exposure to the sun. That, and your installer will thank you as they go on in half the time and are just easier to do.

[@donrush5690]

The problem with the cheaper tops is if you make a mistake and have to lift the top up to make a correction the backing peels from the vinyl. The only way the premium quality tops crack is if you do not garage your car for years on end. Not too many people would pay the big $$$ and leave their classic in the sun for a decade. It is in fact a daunting task to install a top and this video might better be titled "why not to" as opposed to "how to"

[@mr7.62gang5]

U got glue all over it

[@vinylvishrecords]

OMG I cringed watching this... Did this for a living back in the 80s. I pumped out 20 to 30 roofs a week, plus pop-up sunroofs. Next time you have a top to do, I'll do it for free, just fly me out there..Haaaaa

[@mnunya5614]

I hope he didn't charge extra for those waives in the seam. Nope he's not touching my cars.

[@WilsonAutoworks]

car porn!

[@TheBigRed.]

I hate vinyl tops. Why would you????????