skydive120

Hello,
Was wondering if anyone else has had this problem.
Just gought a black 00 with a glass top.
The problem: There is an area that looks like the clearcoat is peeling off on the passenger side, about 3 inches wide fully from front to back.
Any ideas on an easy fix or is this strip and reclear the entier top?
What material is used to clear the glass?
Did a forums search already without any result.
Any ideas? Anyone!
Thanks-
Chris

This is posted in the paint/body section as well.

SLPRC5

It's a common problem with our cars...some have had the tops painted and they come out nicely.

kdub1

I have the same problem in the same exact area. Very common. I've been looking for a year or so now and the only alternative to painting that I've seen is a new top. No repair that I'm aware of, since it's the Lexan that is deteriorating. There are places that rebuild/recondition them by replacing the Lexan, seals, etc. and accept your old top as a core. They are $550 exchanged and $950 outright. Here's a link:
http://www.astrotops.com/97_present.html
You can also catch them pretty frequently on that auction site, but they usually end up costing about the same as the exchange price mentioned above. HTH.

Dave68

It is common only if your top sits out in the sun often. I keep my car covered all day long while it is at work and my top looks like the day it was new.

My advice is that if you buy another, keep it covered!

Showdown

Same problem with my top. guess I have to buy another.

SLPRC5

My car isn't a DD and it is garaged, still it has peeled. It's an inherent problem with the C5 glass tops.

Dave68

I'm willing to say that your 97 has seen more sun than my 01. After all, it is 4 years older! If you kept a new top in your garage without ever exposing it to the sun, it would not peel.

lordbones

I would not recommend AstroTops...Bought the one piece Targa for my 80' a few years ago & it was absolute garbage. Don't mean to flame them but, their product was made seriously cheap...

As far as refinishing, I have read a post here about a guy that wet sanded the clear & then had it re-cleared. He was very happy with it.

KCJeff

I have the same problem on my 2002. I tried to buy the painted top, but it was broken in shipping. I'm trying to find one locally. My painter won't guarantee the finish on that acrylic top. I'd love to have both tops...I like the transparent top at times.

lordbones

I've been trying to go back through threads to find where the guy sanded & cleared. There were pics as well.

Here is a thread similar & the last post was a guy that actually had it painted. Looks nice!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ight=targa+top

skydive120

Thanks for all the info guys, Going to try to clear it and see what happens. Failing that, the guy that painted his black is right, it looks sharp.
Will let you know how it comes out.
Chris

lordbones

Cool, definitely keep us posted!!

SLPRC5

Yes your car is 4 years younger and your statement was "sits out in the sun often" my car doesn't sit out in the sun often.
"My car isn't a DD and it is garaged"<< was my statement. So I still stand by what I said...many C5s have the peeling top problem...

Sky King

Bought my '98 a couple years ago and it had the peeling strip problem on the passenger side. I decided to $buy$ a new one and hopefully by keeping it in the garage, it will last a few years.

beav626

This guy Corvette Don is a friend of mine and I have seen his top after he sanded and polished.

I have to say that it came out great.

skydive120

Good to hear!
I bought a kit micro mesh kit today at work, its used for sanding and polishing acrylic and lexan aircraft windows. Going to give it a try, with any luck this weekend.
Ill take some before, during, and afters to post.
Chris

beav626

I cant wait to see the results.

Corvette Don

Make sure that you wet sand it vs not using any water to prevent from "burning" the top, took a good 2 hours to do mine and there is STILL room to make it better, I need to go over it wil fine grit paper again and re-polish, it looks 100 times better now, when I got the car it was sun beat and gray, you can see the fine scratches from sanding when the light hits it just right...(those are dust spots not chips )
[IMG][/IMG]

jeanlucpicard

That's why I drive a convertible

Corvette Don

Wait till you have to replace to top due to a rip or cut or just from wear