DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

[Chuck G.]

A friend called. He's getting his car ready for Lakeland. He told me that restoration batteries for 63's are on backorder. He has a non-tar top that he wants to make "into" a tar top.

He tried, using roofing tar, but it's WAY too rough... and too dull. He tells me it is as rough as 36 grit sand paper.

Does anyone know of a material that you can pour on a battery... and have it come out smooth and have the proper "shine"?

[Bob R.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

If the judges detect that the battery is not an original tar top you will get a deduct for originality. If you can buy a reproduction battery they are expensive and may still receive a deduction of from 10% to 30% and they don't last very long. I suggest buying a new Delco battery, there is a standard deduct of 50% you will save a lot of money and the battery will last for many years.

[Chuck G.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

He wants to "max out" his point tally, and apparently the repro batteries (tar tops) are backordered.

[Mike M.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

chuck: did your friend try warming the roofing tar as warmed tar tends to flow out. mike

[Michael J.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

I have always gotten a 7 point deduction for any of my real tar top Restoration Batteries. Unless you can take a cap off and show them fluid, that is the smallest deduct possible, so lots of money spend and you still lose 7 points. I have seen and judged restored original batteries with acid that shows when you remove the cap. Someone out there must be making them, but I don't know who, and I am not sure if or how long they work. I also shudder to think what that would cost you.......

[Chuck G.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

Don't know, Mike. He called me this morning and asked my opinion.

I'll be seeing him later this week and will report back.

[Chuck G.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

I have always gotten a 7 point deduction for any of my real tar top Restoration Batteries. Unless you can take a cap off and show them fluid, that is the smallest deduct possible, so lots of money spend and you still lose 7 points. I have seen and judged restored original batteries with acid that shows when you remove the cap. Someone out there must be making them, but I don't know who, and I am not sure if or how long they work. I also shudder to think what that would cost you.......

Thanks, Michael. If I'm hearing him "correctly", the 7 point deduction tar top battery is unavailable, and on backorder for 10 to 12 weeks. So, no way could he have in a few weeks for the Lakeland Regional.

[Don H.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

Chuck
the meet starts in 10 days.

[Chuck G.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

Chuck
the meet starts in 10 days.

Yep.... I know. My bad.

[Scott S.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

Chuck, I melted the roofing tar in a pot on the stove, the poured it onto a level battery.
Scott

[Michael J.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

Yes, I understand, but just pouring some tar on the top of some other battery is not going to get you very much, points wise. I would be surprised if it gets you anything.

[Scott S.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

Michael, Our 1966 received a Duntov Award. I guess that some of my work was well respected by the NCRS judges.
Scott Sinclair

[Michael J.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

Michael, Our 1966 received a Duntov Award. I guess that some of my work was well respected by the NCRS judges.
Scott Sinclair

As you know, you can get a Duntov and still have added side exhaust, NOM, a 15 coat hand-rubbed enamel paint job, and many other things.......... No, I don't think pouring tar on top of a battery by itself will exclude you from a Duntov, but I don't think leaving it off will either.

[Scott S.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

Michael, Are you having a bad day? My mother used to say, "If you cannot say something nice, then keep your lips shut!"

[Michael J.]

Re: DIY Tar For A Tar Top Battery

My Mom used to say that too! I'm having a wonderful day, on the way to order a new 2019 ZR1 in a few minutes at my local Chevy dealer. I would be interested in what deduction you got for your homemade battery though, since the judges are usually very harsh on Tom's batteries.