The Ford Barn

Kentmac · 09-26-2017, 02:15 PM

I am going to have my 29 roadster repainted and cannot figure out how to remove the top. It appears to be stapled around the back and I am concerned that if I remove all the staples, I will never get it back nice and tight. Any suggestions or information.

d.j. moordigian · 09-26-2017, 02:34 PM

The only ones that were tacked too the wood in the back were the OCPU.. do you have a
Roadster Pick-Up?

Kentmac · 09-26-2017, 06:17 PM

It is not a pickup, it is a roadster. I cannot see how to disconnect the rear of the top. Could it possibly be bolted down, do you know of any diagrams of the roadster tops that could be viewed?

wrndln · 09-26-2017, 07:08 PM

The top on a 28/29 roadster originally was removable unlike a phaeton or OCPU that were not. The wood beltrail has twist clips that holds the top on at the bottom. I am posting a picture of a fine point 29 roadster that shows part of the bottom of the top with the correct clips. The front clip is to install the side curtains.

It appears that someone didn't install your top the correct way. I agree with you without some "salvage edge" left on the car it would be very difficult to reinstall the top to the beltrail.
Rusty Nelson

Vern · 09-26-2017, 07:15 PM

The top on my '28 roadster is attached to the wood rail at the top of the seat with push type cinch fasteners. They screw into the wood, and the top has grommets that the fasteners go thru to hold it in place.

700rpm · 09-26-2017, 08:13 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Take it to an automotive upholsery shop that works on tops and see if they have a suggestion.

Kentmac · 09-27-2017, 10:48 AM

Here are pics of my roadster top. The seatback fabric comes up and over the top of the seat and apparently is stapled to a wooden block which is bolted to the body. The top is apparently atttached to the back edge of the block with staples as well with a section of trim over the staples... looks like I paint with top on or get a new top. Thanks for all the comments

IMG_0067.jpg

IMG_0068.jpg

IMG_0069.jpg

Kentmac · 09-27-2017, 10:49 AM

Sorry about that, looks like they are all upside down

d.j. moordigian · 09-27-2017, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentmac

Here are pics of my roadster top. The seatback fabric comes up and over the top of the seat and apparently is stapled to a wooden block which is bolted to the body. The top is apparently atttached to the back edge of the block with staples as well with a section of trim over the staples... looks like I paint with top on or get a new top. Thanks for all the comments

Attachment 332097

Attachment 332098

Attachment 332099

The seat fabric attaches too the wood strip, which is correct. The top uses
snaps, like Rusty shows in his photo..#4..

CHuDWah · 09-27-2017, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrndln

The top on a 28/29 roadster originally was removable unlike a phaeton or OCPU that were not. The wood beltrail has twist clips that holds the top on at the bottom. I am posting a picture of a fine point 29 roadster that shows part of the bottom of the top with the correct clips. The front clip is to install the side curtains.

It appears that someone didn't install your top the correct way. I agree with you without some "salvage edge" left on the car it would be very difficult to reinstall the top to the beltrail.
Rusty Nelson

A bit off-topic but can the OCPU top be folded down like a roadster or phaeton? Somewhere, I got the idea it cannot but I'm not sure.

wrndln · 09-27-2017, 12:43 PM

An OCPU top cannot be folded down. There are some people that have modified or made top irons that will fold down. I don't know how well they work - probably not real well.
Rusty Nelson

pooch · 09-27-2017, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentmac

Sorry about that, looks like they are all upside down

Yup, hidem is not used there at back of roof to body.

Check inside hidem , is it nailed or stapled?

If the roof materail is still pliable, you should be able to carefully pull out fasteners and get back in same place.

The roof is only tight when it is connected to windscreen posts.

When it is off posts, it is loose at back and will be easy to fit back on.

It will be a nightmare for the painter with the roof still there.

Dollar Bill · 09-28-2017, 04:14 AM

Kentmac, welcome to the Ford Barn!

OP States: "looks like I paint with top on or get a new top."

I'm with pooch. If you're dropping the coin for a new paint job, you (or your painter) won't be happy with the job if the top is left in place.

In for a penny, in for a pound

09-26-2017, 02:15 PM	#1
Kentmac Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Manchester, Mich Posts: 40	29 Roadster top removal/ replace I am going to have my 29 roadster repainted and cannot figure out how to remove the top. It appears to be stapled around the back and I am concerned that if I remove all the staples, I will never get it back nice and tight. Any suggestions or information.

09-26-2017, 02:34 PM	#2
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: 29 Roadster top removal/ replace The only ones that were tacked too the wood in the back were the OCPU.. do you have a Roadster Pick-Up?

09-26-2017, 06:17 PM	#3
Kentmac Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Manchester, Mich Posts: 40	Re: 29 Roadster top removal/ replace It is not a pickup, it is a roadster. I cannot see how to disconnect the rear of the top. Could it possibly be bolted down, do you know of any diagrams of the roadster tops that could be viewed?

09-26-2017, 07:15 PM	#5
Vern Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 572	Re: 29 Roadster top removal/ replace The top on my '28 roadster is attached to the wood rail at the top of the seat with push type cinch fasteners. They screw into the wood, and the top has grommets that the fasteners go thru to hold it in place. Last edited by Vern; 05-30-2020 at 08:00 PM.

09-26-2017, 08:13 PM	#6
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: 29 Roadster top removal/ replace Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Take it to an automotive upholsery shop that works on tops and see if they have a suggestion. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

09-27-2017, 10:48 AM	#7
Kentmac Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Manchester, Mich Posts: 40	Re: 29 Roadster top removal/ replace Here are pics of my roadster top. The seatback fabric comes up and over the top of the seat and apparently is stapled to a wooden block which is bolted to the body. The top is apparently atttached to the back edge of the block with staples as well with a section of trim over the staples... looks like I paint with top on or get a new top. Thanks for all the comments IMG_0067.jpg IMG_0068.jpg IMG_0069.jpg Last edited by Kentmac; 09-27-2017 at 10:50 AM. Reason: pictures upside down

09-27-2017, 10:49 AM	#8
Kentmac Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Manchester, Mich Posts: 40	Re: 29 Roadster top removal/ replace Sorry about that, looks like they are all upside down

09-27-2017, 12:43 PM	#11
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,162	Re: 29 Roadster top removal/ replace An OCPU top cannot be folded down. There are some people that have modified or made top irons that will fold down. I don't know how well they work - probably not real well. Rusty Nelson

09-28-2017, 04:14 AM	#13
Dollar Bill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Keystone Heights, FL Posts: 647	Re: 29 Roadster top removal/ replace Kentmac, welcome to the Ford Barn! OP States: "looks like I paint with top on or get a new top." I'm with pooch. If you're dropping the coin for a new paint job, you (or your painter) won't be happy with the job if the top is left in place. In for a penny, in for a pound __________________ I Love Anything That Turns Money Into Noise