Need to get loose particles from inside my T-tops, anyone have any tricks?

[Brad M.]

I have some loose particles from portions of the rivets that held on the trim which I removed prior to having them re-painted. These are rattling around inside the t-tops.

Anyone have any good methods to get these out or do I need to hope that I can get these pieces out of the holes for the bolts and rivets by moving the t tops in different positions?

I have not removed the latches yet, so not sure if that area is connected to where these pieces would be and possibly the holes for the latch bolts are bigger than the the rivet holes??

I am guessing that someone has encountered this before, so I would be interested to hear successful ways to deal with this.

[Jim T.]

Re: Need to get loose particles from inside my T-tops, anyone have any tricks?

I replaced the original weatherstripping t-tops about 3 years ago in my 70. Remember that some of the original plastic retainers for the weatherstripping was removed for the most part, a few pieces of plastic had their way and got into the t-top. I am only reminded if I remove a t-top and tilt it. I don't remove the t-tops like I did when the car was new and no noise when driving with the t-tops on, so I just live with it.

[Bill C.]

Re: Need to get loose particles from inside my T-tops, anyone have any tricks?

Brad,

I cut an access panel on the side 1x2.5" . shook everything out and patched the piece back in and painted with flat balck paint.

Looks good and no rattle.

[Brad M.]

Re: Need to get loose particles from inside my T-tops, anyone have any tricks?

Where did you make the hole? In the section between the two latch handles and facing toward center of car?

[Bill C.]

Re: Need to get loose particles from inside my T-tops, anyone have any tricks?

yes --
dead center.

The lower you cut the hole to the bottom, easier it is to bond back in and hide it where it cant be seen with the head liner installed.

[Ken K.]

Re: Need to get loose particles from inside my T-tops, anyone have any tricks?

I drilled a 5/16 hole in the back side under the weatherstrip, like a drain hole and shook the plastic parts out. The weatherstrip covers the hole and you can not see it. The hole is at the lowest part as the top is on the car and in the back under the stripping. Hope that helps.

[Brad M.]

Re: Need to get loose particles from inside my T-tops, anyone have any tricks?

Seems like there are multiple techniques, not sure which I will use....