Weatherstrip Project/Cabrio Quarter Paint

WEATHERSTRIP PROCEDURE/CABRIO QUARTER PAINT

When painting the quarter panel/rear body side aperture, it is necessary to partially remove the weatherstrip to perform proper refinishing of the panel.

This will require a five phase process as follows:
- Folding Top Cover Removal
- Weatherstrip Partial Removal
- Required repair and refinishing of quarter panel/rear body side aperture
- Weatherstrip Replacement
- Folding Top Cover Installation

Folding Top Cover Removal







1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the decklid.







NOTE: Rear shelf trim panel removed for clarity.

3. The roof can be opened or closed manually using a socket or the wrench provided in the vehicle's tool kit attached to the motor (1), accessible in the opening located in the trim panel under the rear shelf.







4. Remove the decklid cut seal (1) by peeling away on one side and working across.







5. Remove the rear wind deflector/windscreen (1) by pulling up.







6. Remove the three fasteners securing the bracket (1) to the rear shelf (2).
7. Remove the bracket (1).
8. Remove the push pin retainers (3) from the rear shelf.
9. Remove the rear shelf.







10. Using C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the B-pillar trim panel retaining tabs/clips located at the bottom and upper rear areas. There is also a retaining tab that mates to the C-pillar. Repeat on the opposite side.
11. Pull downward on the B-pillar trim panel (1). Repeat on the opposite side.
12. Reposition the B-pillar trim panel (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







13. Using C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the C-pillar trim panel retaining tabs/clips and reposition the C-pillar trim panel (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







14. Drill out the four rivets (1) securing the motor cover plate (2) and remove the plate.
15. Remove the headliner fabric from the rear shield and the entire backlite/glass areas.







16. Disconnect the electrical connector from the motor (1) and the module (2).
17. Detach the harness from the rear shelf.







18. Remove the four fasteners (1) securing the tension bar.







19. Remove the tension bar (1).







20. Lift the cover up to expose the tension cable (2) and bracket (1).
21. Using a china marker, mark the location for the bracket (1). Repeat on the opposite side.
22. Remove the fastener securing the bracket (1) to the roof frame. Repeat on the opposite side.
23. Separate the tension cable (2) from the bracket (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







24. Remove the clip (1) from the backlite bracket. Repeat on the opposite side.
25. Separate the backlite bracket. Repeat on the opposite side.







26. Accessing from inside the vehicle, remove the fastener (2) and four washers from the backlite/glass linkage (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







27. Using a small punch and needlenose pliers, disengage the pin (3) from the fastener (2). Repeat on the opposite side.
28. Remove the headliner tension belt/tether (1) from the linkage. Repeat on the opposite side.







29. Remove the fastener (1) securing the four bow cap (2). If replacing the cover, save the bolt and cap for re-use. Repeat on the opposite side.
30. Detach the four bow.







31. Open the roof (1) fully until the front edge tilts back.
32. Remove the front bow bolts (2). Repeat on the opposite side.
33. Close the roof (1) to 3/4 open position.







34. Drill out the rivet (1) securing the front tension belt to the front bow. Repeat on the opposite side.
35. Remove the front bow tension belt. Repeat on the opposite side.







36. Separate the cover from the second bow retainer (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







37. Detach the seal at the bottom of the rear track cover (1).
38. Using C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the rear track cover (1) by prying up the outboard edge of the cover and rolling the track cover inward. Repeat on the opposite side.







39. Remove the fastener securing the rear stop block (1). Do not misplace the square nut insert.Repeat on the opposite side.







40. Disengage the top stow slider block (1) by turning the front screw (2) clockwise. Repeat on the opposite side.
41. Slide the roof rearward to disengage the remaining roof bow blocks.
42. Remove the cover.

Weatherstrip Partial Removal

CAUTION: Do not remove Weatherstrip beyond 50 mm (2 ft) from the front edge of the Folding Top Frame, as damage to the weatherstrip may occur

NOTE: Remove Weatherstrip far enough forward that it will not interfere with panel repair and painting operations







1. At rear of weatherstrip, pull outward and upward beyond desired paint blending area.
2. Protect butyl from contamination that will occur during repairs.
3. Complete balance of repairs, painting and buffing as necessary.

Weatherstrip Replacement







1. Use compressed air to remove debris from the Folding Top Frame mating surface.
2. Clean Folding Top Frame mating surface with wax and grease remover, per manufacture recommendations.
3. Remove protection from butyl bead on weatherstrip.
4. Wet a lint free cloth with acetone.
5. Wipe weatherstrip butyl and mating area.
6. Allow to dry for one minute.







7. Apply a bead of weatherstrip adhesive (2) to the bottom of the weatherstrip (3) next to butyl (1).







8. Carefully place weatherstrip back into position along the folding top frame.







NOTE: Right side shown, left side typical

9. Insert alignment square tab (2) on inner weatherstrip (1) into alignment square holes (3) located on rear of folding top frame (4).







10. Run a trim stick along weatherstrip with slight downward and outward pressure to reseat outer weatherstrip lip.
11. Inspect to be certain weatherstrip is properly seated.







NOTE: A small wooden roller (2), or equivalent, should be used to aid in evenly compressing the Weatherstrip (1)

12. Firmly compress the weatherstrip (1), starting at the end and continuing beyond furthest point the weatherstrip had been removed.
13. Allow weatherstrip adhesive to dry per manufacture recommendations.

Folding Top Cover Installation







1. Position the cover to the vehicle.
2. Engage the first set of roof bow blocks into the tracks, slide the cover forward and engage the remaining roof bow blocks.
3. Engage the top stow slider block (1) by turning the front screw (2) counter clockwise. Repeat on the opposite side.







4. Position the rear stop block to the rear of the track.
5. Install the fastener (2) securing the rear stop block (1). Tighten the fastener securely. Repeat on the opposite side.







6. Position and engage the rear track cover (1) by inserting the outboard edge of the cover and rolling the track cover outward and down. Hand tap to seat properly. Repeat on the opposite side
7. Attach the seal at the bottom of the rear track cover (1).







8. Install the cover to the second bow retainer (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







9. Position the front bow tension belt.
10. Install the rivet (1) securing the front tension belt to the front bow. Repeat on the opposite side.







11. Open the roof (1) fully until the front edge tilts back.
12. Install the front bow bolts (2). Tighten the bolts securely. Repeat on the opposite side.
13. Close the roof (1) to 3/4 open position.







14. Attach the four bow.
15. Install the fastener (1) securing the four bow cap (2). Tighten the fastener securely. Repeat on the opposite side.







16. Attach the headliner tension belt/tether (1) to the linkage. Repeat on the opposite side.
17. Engage the pin (3) to the fastener (2). Repeat on the opposite side.







18. Accessing from inside the vehicle, install three of the washers between the hinge and linkage (1). Then install the remaining washer and fastener (2) securing the backlite/glass linkage (1). Tighten the fastener securely. Repeat on the opposite side.







19. Attach the backlite bracket. Repeat on the opposite side.
20. Install the clip (1) to the backlite bracket. Repeat on the opposite side.







21. Install the tension cable (2) to the bracket (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







22. Using Adapter, Cable Tension 10321 (2), loop the lanyard/adapter through the tension cable bracket (1).
23. Using Spring Gauge 8828A (3), attach the pull gauge to the lanyard/adapter (2).
24. Set the pull gauge to 178 N (40 lbs.force) and pull back until the spec is achieved.
25. Install the fastener securing the bracket (1) to the roof frame. Tighten the fastener securely.
26. Repeat steps 22-25 for the opposite side.







27. Position the tension bar (1).







28. Install the four fasteners (1) securing the tension bar. Tighten the fasteners securely.







29. Attach the harness to the rear shelf.
30. Connect the electrical connector to the motor (1) and the module (2).







31. Align and position the motor cover plate (2).
32. Install the four rivets (1) securing the motor cover plate (2).
33. Install the headliner fabric from the rear shield and the entire backlite/glass areas.







34. Position the C-pillar trim panel (1).
35. Hand tap to engage the C-pillar trim panel (1) retaining tabs/clips. Repeat on the opposite side.







36. Position the B-pillar trim panel (1).
37. Hand tap to engage the B-pillar trim panel (1) retaining tabs/clips. Repeat on the opposite side.







38. Position the rear shelf (2).
39. Install the push pin retainers (3) to the rear shelf.
40. Position the bracket (1).
41. Install the three fasteners securing the bracket (1) to the rear shelf (2). Tighten the fasteners securely.







42. Install the rear wind deflector/windscreen (1).







43. Install the decklid cut seal (1).







44. Install the decklid.
45. Connect the negative battery cable.







46. With the help of an assistant(s), cycle the cover (1) to the closed position while applying pressure to the front of the cover. Make sure the cover (1) is fully seated. Repeat process if necessary.
47. The cover will need to stay in the closed position for at least 30 minutes to properly stretch.