Two questions please
 

The passenger door is locked and no key. How to get the lock set out to have a key made. Second what product is best for (painting) refinishing the vinyl top. Thanks

Re: Two questions please
 

If the door is key locked, I don't believe you can easily remove the handle, as you need to turn the handle down about 45 degrees in order to remove it. A locksmith is probably your best hope, as they can usually pick a lock as simple as used on a model A. It might cost a few bucks, but maybe you can drive the car to the locksmith and save some money eliminating his travel expenses. I don't know much about trying to refinish a vinyl top.
Rusty Nelson

Re: Two questions please
 

Re: Two questions please
 

Definitely a locksmith.
Contact one of the upholstery shops that advertise in some of the car mags about the top. You could also contact a car museum that does their own restorations and ask them for suggestions.

Re: Two questions please
 

one other option, drill the lock out of the door handle and buy another new one, might be cheaper than a lock smith

Re: Two questions please
 

We had the same problem with a locked rear rumble seat handle. I drove over to our local
locksmith and he found a key blank to fit the lock. He then took a sharpie marking pen
and painted the key blank black, he wiggled it back and forth in the cylinder and it made
marks on the key. He then held in one hand with vise grips and used a triangular file
and started filing the key where the marks were. He kept doing this until the key worked
in the lock. The whole thing took about 10 mins and cost $25 with another key cut.
See if you can find some talent in your area.
I was amazed.
He said it was because the locks in these old cars are so simple.

Re: Two questions please
 

My parents where on vacation and locked their keys in a modern car, the lock smith used a match to blacken the key blank and used a triangle file to cut the blank! Maybe you could learn a new trade? :-)

Re: Two questions please
 

Locksmithing must be a secret trade, much like expert babbit working. I bought a book on locksmithing, and basically it said to take your locks to a locksmith. Sure didn't need to buy a book to tell me that.

Re: Two questions please
 

Tell me more about drilling the lock. Sounds interesting.

Re: Two questions please
 

Do a search for a thread called Roadster Roof Paint, initiated by Girl With Wrench, for an interesting take on your roof question.
.... 2 minutes later: Oops, just realised that this thread was about repainting a fabric, not vinyl, top. Sorry (but still interesting). :)

Re: Two questions please
 

The key cylinder is pot-metal and the tumblers are copper or brass. You can overwhelm the lock by forcing the handle to the open position.

Re: Two questions please
 

find any key that fits(tool box, file cabinet, padlock keys should), put light pressure in the unlock position and rapidly move the key in and out like a saw while keeping slight turning pressure. goal is to bump the tumblers and get the cyl to turn. works on most of the simple locks.

if its worn out it should do it on the 2nd saw motion. heck my 02 blazers key opens my 95's s10 doors...

Re: Two questions please
 

2nd Question, In the past I have repainted My Top using rust-oleum (sp) Black paint I was happy with the result. As other have suggested check with venders.

Re: Two questions please
 

they sell paint thats mean to stick to vinyl and fabric. I used it to paint some blue sun visors for my car black and they've held up great for 2 years, nice gloss black. I think i got it from an auto parts store , standard spraycan size.

would probably stick well to the top material. very flexable stuff.

Re: Two questions please
 

If the top is leaking you might even try 3M rubberized undercoating.