What does a useable soft top tack strip look like?

[Ian G.]

I'm getting ready to assemble my soft top frame for my 59 to then put it in the shed until the car is ready. I'm going to take my bows in for bead blasting and before I do that I'm trying to estimate if the tack strips are usable. I've read Rich Mozzetta's guides and also various posts on the forum and know it can be a tough job to replace the tack strips. I have the cardboard strips to replace if I decide to go through with it.

My front Bow inside tack strip has some breaks at the T-nuts, but the tack strip on the front sides looks OK. My #4 bow tacks strip in my view looks pretty bad at the ends... COuld someone who's restored soft tops before have a look and let me know if the tack strips are what you'd call "useable"?

Second - has anyone tried to recondition a tack strip with wood putty or some other sort of repair putty? What were the results?

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[Mike M.]

Re: What does a useable soft top tack strip look like?

I'd replace both your tack strips, and I wouldn't use the cardboard repo strips. I purchase the "nylon" strips that the local auto upholstery shop stocks. I believe al knoch also can supply said "nylon" strips. they are wedge shaped and you drive them into the bow recesses. they won't come out and tacks +/or staples used will not pull out of the nylon. good luck, mike

[Richard M.]

Re: What does a useable soft top tack strip look like?

Ian, I agree with Mike by using the nylon pieces. I've done both, fiber and nylon.

The header has a wedged profile and it's very difficult to use the fiber. You can't "slide" it in. You have to trim it and essentially hammer it in along its entire length using a small hardwood block.

Yours need replacing. You'll have to chop out the old one with chisel. Mark the T-nut positions on the header and also use the reinforcements as a guide for cutting slots in the new tack strip.

The Rear bow is really a tough one. Originally, the strip was installed then the steel was "rolled" over the entire length, both sides, to hold it in. If the bow is not badly rusted, you may have to use it as is otherwise you may damage it trying to replace the strip. You could use a Dremel to cut it out and replace with the nylon, but I'd recommend roughing up the strip and use contact cement to help hold it on.

Here are a few photos on a rear bow I salvaged and replaced the strip with a leftover fiber strip. It's a lot of labor and tricky to get it properly aligned at the ends due to the compound curves.

I used my air chisel to get the old strip out.
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Then you have to "unroll" one side along the entire length.
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After the strip isinstalled, the edge gets re-rolled over the strip. The outer ends have to be back-cut to form to the complex curves.
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I just about finished this one but put it aside. I had to do some brazing and sheet metal repairs after I pulled the old strip out. It was more of a experiment, that turned into somewhat of a nightmare.
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[Tim G.]

Re: What does a useable soft top tack strip look like?

Wow, that is lots of work. I recently helped a friend put a top on my '67 and, fortunately, we could reuse the tack strips.

[Ian G.]

Re: What does a useable soft top tack strip look like?

Mike, Rich thank you for your advice. Can you advise the source for nylon tack strip I need? I'll hunt around online. Even though I've bought the cardboard tack strip if you think it will be easier to use nylon I'll go that route. Most of what I see online is hard rubber like Dr. Rebuild.

Rich, I have a repro aluminum rear bow with an unused tack strip, and I have your guide on how to hide the T-nuts along with a shiny new router, so I'm in good shape there.

[Richard M.]

Re: What does a useable soft top tack strip look like?

Mike, Rich thank you for your advice. Can you advise the source for nylon tack strip I need? I'll hunt around online. Even though I've bought the cardboard tack strip if you think it will be easier to use nylon I'll go that route. Most of what I see online is hard rubber like Dr. Rebuild.

Rich, I have a repro aluminum rear bow with an unused tack strip, and I have your guide on how to hide the T-nuts along with a shiny new router, so I'm in good shape there.

Ian, I just took a look, and ZIP(and likely others) have the replacement tack strips.....

Zip ZCT-54A

It's good you have the new rear bow. Hiding those T-nuts is a good plan.

Rich