sail panel, take off???

[Archer]

I have been reading, searching, google, and GM's info..

there is a write up on LS1tech's site on how to replace it yourself, but Im not looking to go out an purchase a new panel for $500+ for a panel when I have a perfectly good panel on my donor.

The instructions say use the 'Wire Method'.

This is what I have done..

Got a couple dowel rods, drilled holes through it, used piano wire. However I believe this wire is too thick to cut the adhesive. So I went and got picture hanging wire, not reading the package that its only good up to 5 lbs. and its the thinnest wire I can find that may cut through the adhesive.

Anyone have an idea on what I could use thats thin enough to cut it, but strong enough not to break..

Thanks,
Archer, C.

[loser]

Re: sail panel, take off???

ive helped do two t-top conversions and piano wire worked both times.

try heating it up if you have any issues.

[Archer]

Re: sail panel, take off???

thanks, what size wire? I had a thick one to begin with. How strong are the smaller ones?

Archer

[loser]

Re: sail panel, take off???

strong anough i guess. i didnt supply the wire, and it was actually the same wire both times so i would think they're prety strong.

the glue is thick,and wide, it sucks.

[Archer]

Re: sail panel, take off???

but it is piano wire that you used right? I went out and got the .025 wire today.. I used a pocket saw at first but that didnt get anywhere besides cutting up my hand... You say heat it, just dont heat it up where its red right? just warm enough to melt the rubber.. man I hope this works good, or I'll have to sell the SS hood, or the donor frame to get the money for a new sail panel.

Archer

[loser]

Re: sail panel, take off???

i know it was piano wire, cant tell you a guage but it was thin and i never thought it was strong anough untill we got going.

getting the old one off was easy, we didnt really try not to mess it up, cracked it a few spots. the hard part was being careful getting the other one off.

[Archer]

Re: sail panel, take off???

lol, yeah I tried to get the old one off nice and slow till it pissed me off and I ripped the hell out of it. then it sliced up my palm pretty good.. I didnt get the thinnest one, but I'll take it slow and take my time. did you just slap the wire in there and start pulling? or did you try to focus it by the panel or near the frame of the car? I started pulling and it went under the glue, then found its way up by the fiberglass.. I guess the tricky part will be when I get up top on the newer one where the fiberglass folds over the frame.. How hard did you have to pull? would you recommend doing it when the top it hot? or does it really matter?

Thanks for helping, im going to blow up your message box. lol

Archer

[loser]

Re: sail panel, take off???

it took us forever, i start on one side and he started on the other side. just go slow, and try to keep it down low in the glue. wear gloves, it might save your hands.

i know EXACTLY what you mean when you say "it found its way up" we never found out a trick that keep it down low in the glue. we just had to keep restarting kinda.

dont pull too hard, thats how we cracked the old one the first time, not even expecting it. are you doing a t-top conversion?

as far as heat goes, we tryed using a heat gun and noticed no difference. not surpising when you really think about it, the glue is very wide and decently tall and i dont see it getting hot anough with out damaging the paint.

edit : just go slow,take your time and do it little by little.we spent more time doing that than any other part in the conversion.

[Archer]

Re: sail panel, take off???

already did the conversion.. I ripped the old sail panel off and Im taking the factory stock t top sail panel off my donor and putting it on the 97 Im restoring.. This way It has the factory look. I was trying to find a way to take the whole roof off the 01 donor and graff it on the 97, but it looked like it was going to be more work than some filler.. I tried to get the sail panel straight when I cut it, but couldnt and it looked hacked.. so Im taking the 01 stock t top panel, and putting it on the 97..

Archer

[loser]

Re: sail panel, take off???

i dont know if id try using a hacksaw blade. go with the thinner wire and check back in.

[Archer]

Re: sail panel, take off???

yeah when I get back Im going to have to use something thinner
I'll let ya know
Archer

[Archer]

Re: sail panel, take off???

I was looking on ebay and saw there is someone selling the t tops roof with the sail panel attached. Think it would be possible to cut away the metal from the donor roof and get access to the urethene adhesive from under the panel???? instead of trying to cut it away from above? I could chop the roof off, cut the metal away thats not attached to the panel with the glue, and cut the glue out that way..

Think it will work loser?

archer

[loser]

Re: sail panel, take off???

I was looking on ebay and saw there is someone selling the t tops roof with the sail panel attached. Think it would be possible to cut away the metal from the donor roof and get access to the urethene adhesive from under the panel???? instead of trying to cut it away from above? I could chop the roof off, cut the metal away thats not attached to the panel with the glue, and cut the glue out that way..

Think it will work loser?

archer

i dont see why not. it'd make getting it off alot easyer im sure,better angle, sawzall away man.

[Archer]

Re: sail panel, take off???

I talked to a couple body guys and they said to contact a windshield repair guy to come out and take it off.. figured I'd call about it and find out. before I go hacking away on it. otherwise I have to sell the SS hood.. lol
Archer