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danielsan
Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2008
Posts: 802
Location: Carson City, NV
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 Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:04 am Post subject: Picture Request -- Late model Convertible Top Seal |
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Hi everyone,
Could someone post a photo of late model convertible with the external front header bow seal installed? Thanks in advance! |
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crocteau
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2005
Posts: 1204
Location: Philaburbia
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| Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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I've only installed one top, and this is just how I did mine. Also, I've never seen official instructions for installing one of these seals so it may not be correct. It's not very elegant looking, but it definitely keeps the wind and rain out at highway speeds.
HTH. Charley
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danielsan
Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2008
Posts: 802
Location: Carson City, NV
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| Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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Charley
That's perfect thank you! I hadn't realized that a bar went in the middle. It looks like you did a nice job on the install -- hope mine comes out as nice. |
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crocteau
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2005
Posts: 1204
Location: Philaburbia
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| Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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You're entirely welcome. If you search this forum you should come across an interesting discussion about the external vs hidden seal that includes comments from a couple of pros, Ghiaddict and Aussie Trimmer. IIRC there was also mention of the metal backing strip; you might want to check with Mike at House of Ghia. This seal was included with the top I bought from Chuck's Convertible Tops, and although the instructions didn't include specific pictures on installing this seal, Chuck was very helpful in getting me on the right track. I fabricated the aluminum strip in three pieces, two short end pieces and a long one in the middle. I honestly think using the hidden seal that glues directly to the wood bow results in a better appearance, but I didn't have confidence in my skills to pull it off properly.
Charley |
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squonk
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2011
Posts: 257
Location: Upstate New York
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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| crocteau wrote: |
| I fabricated the aluminum strip in three pieces, two short end pieces and a long one in the middle. |
Would you happen to recall the dimensions of the aluminum bar you used? I'm looking to do the same job, and was guessing about 1/8" thick by 1/4" or 5/8" wide?
Thanks
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'71 Ghia cabriolet |
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Greezy Joe
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2010
Posts: 1534
Location: Crawfordville, Fl
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 6:52 am Post subject: |
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I was just trying to figure this out yesterday as I just got all the stuff in to do my top on the 71 vert and this popped up today.  I got the instructions with the kit and altho it is very complete, there is nothing on how to install it. It only states to install it or your header clearences will be off if not in place and it will not seal properly.
Maybe GhiaAddict will chime in. Thanks for posting that one, it is all becoming clearer.
Edit: I would think this seal goes on over all the liner and top material 
_________________
Current:74 Ghia Coupe w/ 2276
71 Ghia Vert w/ 1835
07 GMC Truck
12 Jeep Wrangler
73 Harley FLH 93 cid
89 Harley 883 Sportster (1200)
Owned before: 58, 69 Ghia Coupes, 64 Canvas Sunroof, 68, 72, 73, & 74 Bugs, 63 Single Cab, 65 Bus, 66 & 70 Camper
" Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it'll muffle the sound". |
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hpw
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2006
Posts: 3010
Location: memphis
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Disc
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2009
Posts: 558
Location: Europe
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:13 am Post subject: |
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| crocteau wrote: |
I've only installed one top, and this is just how I did mine. Also, I've never seen official instructions for installing one of these seals so it may not be correct. It's not very elegant looking, but it definitely keeps the wind and rain out at highway speeds.
HTH. Charley
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I'm 100% sure this is not correct way to install that seal. In this moment we got a convertible for restoration that is original 69000 km. Everything in this car is original including vinyl top in great shape (if that car will be a daily driver I'll never replace OG vinyl). That seal is mounted directly on front wooden bow, under top vinyl. Top in not disassembled yet because the nature of restoration of that particular car - someone slice it like a paper and then sell it with a lot of replacement sheet metal parts:
I can proved pics tomorrow.
Early this year we restored a later Beetle convertible (1302). Top was original too. Beetles got the same seal, in the same place - under top material.
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The glory never gets old, just need new paint.
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Nick |
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crocteau
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2005
Posts: 1204
Location: Philaburbia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:08 am Post subject: |
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| squonk wrote: |
| Would you happen to recall the dimensions of the aluminum bar you used? |
The Al strips I used were about 1/2" wide x 3/32" thick.
| Disc wrote: |
| I'm 100% sure this is not correct way to install that seal. |
LOL, there's little "correct" about my cabriolet. Here are pictures of the replacement (borrowed pic) and original header bow (my own) seals. I've observed that the replacement seal is effective when in direct contact with the windshield frame.
See also: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=214389
Charley
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Ghiaddict
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2002
Posts: 2632
Location: Now in Honea Path, SC
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:17 am Post subject: |
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I'm sorry but I have to disagree with Disc.
We also restored a very low mileage late model KG 'vert
that I'm 100% sure still had the original vinyl top intact
The rubber header seal with metal support strips was installed
exactly as pictured by crocteau. That is we found it
completely exposed on the exterior of the header, on top of the vinyl.
Not sure if it really matters, but there it is for your consideration. 
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed. |
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