Who does one use to replace a vinyl top? Does the body shop do any needed repairs to the underlying metal, seal it, then replace it…or does it go to a place that does convertible tops? Or do you need to use both to get it done?
Thanks.
Usually the body shop does the metal work and the vinyl guy does the top. Bad idea to let the interior guy decide how to prep metal…
I figured, but didn’t know if it would have to go to the vinyl place. Thanks!
Let the bodyshop do the metal prep, primers and paint, then it would be best to let it sit for 2-3 months before putting on a vinyltop over fresh paint, to let the paint “breathe” out thinner, to ensure that it will not bubble or flake off due to trapped dilluants inside the paint
The other thing I was thinking…if it’s not bad under there, maybe just leave the top off, paint the roof, and just leave the trim in place. Less to be paranoid about that way (getting wet). Although I do like the look of a vinyl roof.
I wonder what it would look like with a bed liner roof.
Like crap.
If you paint the roof and leave the trim in place, you could always make it a two-tone.
I’ve seen a lot of guys do that and I like the look…assuming one uses nice, shiny paint and not bedliner material. 
This isn’t my Blue/White Cougar tho (love that car!!!), it’s a triple black thing that has the original roof splitting in a few places. It may not be possible to smooth the underlying metal well enough to “work” with black paint, tho. It’ll be interesting to see when the top comes off.