Roof Replacement

[Wm Steed]

The Rhino Liner idea sounds very neat. I know it would not be stock but to the average person it would look stock and sure solve the problem of a leaking top. A person could even take it to the next step and add a color, in lieu of black, to match the color of the car....Bill

[mrbill]

Thank you all for the replies. Mr. Benjaminson has very eloquently laid out the procedure, many thanks. The rhino lining is a viable alternative though....hmmmmm same framework but with a spray on finish. Originality is not paramount, just want to keep moisture and low flying birds out.

[12905]

Bill:

There's another method of roof replacement that might be worth considering if you are not concerned about being 100% original. The weakness of the original roofs is the fabric and the joint between it and the body. I recently saw an Essex in which the person had screwed/glued  1/8" hard board over the roof bows and then had it sprayed with a truck bedliner product. It looked great! The product he used is called Rhino liner and comes from South Africa. I talked to the installing company, and the owner is from South Africa and he told me they had done many vintage car roofs there with the product. It adheres firmly to both the hardboard and the steel around the insert. It can be applied over paint if it is sound or to bare or primered steel prior to painting. I'm going to do the roof on my 29 U with it.

If Rhino is not available in your area I'm sure any reputable bedliner product will do. According to the guy I talked to, it's a one-time only deal and will never need replacement.

[TodFitch]

Wasn't the chicken wire also the radio antenna?

It was the radio antenna for 1933. I assume it was for other years too.

[John Hendricks]

Wasn't the chicken wire also the radio antenna?

[TodFitch]

Here is the roof installation procedure for 1933. As noted in Jim's post it is probably similar to the one for your 1936.

http://www.ply33.com/Repair/roof

[Doran Johnson]

N C Industries in Sayre, PA used to sell top frames for some models.? I don't know if '36 is included, or if they are still in that business at all.? They seem to be specializing more in windshield frames than other parts.? Still, I would check with them.? Their web address is:? ? http://www.windshieldframes.com/? ? ? ?

Doran

?

[Jim Benjaminson]

Sounds like you'll need to locate or build the wooden frame work that fills the top.  Not sure how many cross braces there are on your '36.  I've done a couple of 34's (coupe and sedan) and each had its own roof structure.  Once you've figured out how many cross braces you need and have the support structure, you'll need to cover it with chicken wire first, then padding and then pull the top material tight and fasten it to the bottom side of the framework.  You then lay the framework into the hole and bolt it down.  If its like the '34's, you will find bolts that run horizontally thru the framework into the body and you'll have wood screws that go up vertically to hold the framework in place.  Once everything is bolted/screwed into place, you force a rubber wedge around the edge between the material and the metal.  Not all that hard to do.  You will, of course, have to have the headliner out to do this.  You will also, prior to re-installing the headliner, have to run the wiring to the dome light.  One wire will run to the switch, and the ground wire will have to be attached to the body.

[mrbill]

Hello and many thanks to Mark for allowing me to join.
I have recently acquired a 36 Plymouth 2 door sedan w/trunk and need to locate and install a soft top. I have two wooden bows and a 3'x5' opening with some very hard rubber surrounding it. Does anyone know where to get material and advice on installation procedures or precautions?
Bill