1930 Coupe Roof Kit Question

[Chad]

Hello,

I have a few "newbie" questions on the installation of closed car roof kit for a 1930 std. coupe. I am working on restoring a Model A in South Dakota and live in Indiana so I don't get many opportunities to work on it and when I do it is never enough time.

I was back for Christmas and worked on many things but my next project is replacing the roof top. Quite a while ago someone either had the "insight" or necessity to graciously coat the roof with tar. Looking at it I think it was good because it preserved all the wood bows except for the header wood was rotted around where the sun visor connects to the roof corners.

So here are my questions (some I could probably answer if I could go look at the car).

1. All roof kits I am looking at say they include everything required other than chicken wire (easy to get) and sealant. Does anyone have any recommended sealant to use?

2. Is there anything else special that I would need to replace the top that wouldn't come in the kit (currently looking at one from LeBaron Bonney).

3. Any recommendations on how to seal the top well? I know they are notorious for leaking if not done properly... I never plan to have it out in the rain, but I would like to not have any leaks into the interior if that did happen.

4. If I could look at the car I could figure this one out but I just want to confirm since my memory is fuzzy and I can't find any pictures that I took, but if I purchase the header wood is that the only piece near the windshield? Or does the header bolt horizontally into another wood beam? As I recall when I took the windshield out, the wood it bolted to was in good shape, but where the sun visor connects on the corners of the roof the wood is dust. I couldn't remember if this area is two pieces of wood or one. I just want to confirm so that next time I'm back I'll have everything I need to complete the project.

Any help is appreciated!

[brum1]

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I would recommend you buy a good tacking hammer, also use a rubberized sealant(butyl type) as opposed to silicone