C1 Convertible Top Lid Crack

[John L.]

Shortly after installing my original but restored hardtop on my 62 Vette the inner skin of the lid cracked around one of the rear hinges. The top was difficult to install in that the rear attachment brackets did not line up well with the holes in the lid. The restoration process must have changed the top dimensionally.

Has anyone had this problem and are there any ideas for a good structural repair of this skin around the hinge? I also plan to relocate the holes for the hold down bolts to fit the top.

[Roger P.]

Re: C1 Convertible Top Lid Crack

John:
I had a similar issue with the rear deck lid on my '65, but my crack was on the exterior skin. I touched-up the crack with paint and it looked good, but it eventually cracked again since it was located at a stress point (right where I have to push down hard to close the deck lid when the top is down). So, after some thought, I decided to use a small knife to widen the crack a bit and fill it with epoxy. I purchased "PC-11 White Epoxy Paste" (you can buy it at most hardware stores like Ace Hardware) and worked it deep into the seam and onto the back side of the crack. Then I skimmed off the top just below flush with the adjacent painted surface to leave a depression for the paint. Once cured, I taped off the small area and sanded it carefully with fine-grit sandpaper. After a couple of touch-up applications with my Dr. ColorChip touch-up paint (very good stuff), some compound, and a little wax, you can hardly tell the crack ever existed before . The best part is that the crack hasn't come back (fingers crossed)!! It appears that the PC-11 makes an excellent bond with the fiberglass as advertised. Try it -- I think it will work for you, too.

Good luck,
Roger (50141)