i have a question about my 73 charger

[chargerking1486]

i have a 73 charger its an se and has that ugly ragtop thing...would it be possible to remove it and paint the bare metal...without it looking rediculous or would it loose value if i did that...im not to much into the two tone red on black top or things like that...i want one straight color and no vinal on the top...any answers would be great thanks

[74chargerse]

i have seen this done and it looks like crap

[Commando]

Look around online there is bound to be a picture of what it looks like. I have only seen it up close and personal and on this particular job it looks like they just pulled the landau top off as there were rivets sticking up all along the edges. I guess they didn't want to do the body work associated with removing them.

[Zach8200]

well sure you could tare the vinyl top off and paint it but you will have a really bad looking roof unless if you have it striped down sanded and filled to match the rest of the body my car is going through the same thing original vinyl top but i am having it fixed to a hard top one color car its just to much to keep up with the vinyl and depending on how old your paint job is on the car they may or may not be able to blend the color of the car to make it really close but thats using the cheap method and that some times doesent look so hot either well good luck

[chargerking1486]

so about how much am i going to have to shape and mold it i know i will cut the rivits off the roof and sand it....im getting a total paintjob done...i just really want to know the steps i have to go through to make it look like it never even had a vinyl top...thanks for the replies so far

[Zach8200]

well theres allot you could do when i pulled my top off there was paint but there was also allot of glue from the vinyl top depending on how ruff the roof is after striping the vinyl you might just want to have it media blasted or sand blasted then put a thin layer of filler in the areas that is needed to make it look good then primer and paint and of course the sealer thats just a quick run through im sure im missing somthing but its all obvious once you get going on what you have to do good luck

[chargerking1486]

alright sounds easy enough...i was just worried it would look awkward i mean with the trim and everything i just didnt think it would run good with the formature of the car...but im going to give it a try....thanks for all the info

[Zach8200]

hack the trim for the vinyl top while your at it just leave it around your windows i did but thats me you can do what you want your car

[chargerking1486]

you wouldnt happen to have pictuers of it would you id like to see what it looks like before i rid my charger of its vinyl

[Zach8200]

well i have pictures of my car with the vinyl off unrestored the car still isnt done i am not at home but will be home some time sunday i can post pictures then I have a road runner so it will be a little different

[Zach8200]

well here is a pic as you can see I have another roof thats because I plan on taking the skin off the front half of mine and replacing it with the other roff the chrome strip like you talked about is it allot like the one above my rear fender if so get rid of it all its doing is holding the vinyl and making it look pretty Ill get better shots tommarow

[chargerking1486]

nice car by the way it doesnt look that bad at all...im think of just goin for it the worst i could do is put a new vinyl on thanks for the help would like ta see some new pics tho thanks