VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Starting my roof on my 31'

I am getting ready to start putting down my new roofing material on my 31' 4dr. What is the best sealer to use over the tack holes to help seal the vinyl fabric down better to prevent leaks? Not sure if a silicone or a actual sealer/adhesive is better. The HC instructions say to use what comes with the kit I have but there is no sealer with it and my roof kit, though in excellent shape, is 18yrs old and I wouldn't use the sealer anyway. I would think a sealer or sealer/adhesive that stays somewhat pliable would do a better job of keeping out any water. Something like a Permatex #2 consistency? Any advice. I will also google it. I have also read where some don't use any sealer under the fabric to roof area and only use it under the aluminum molding and over the nails in the molding before swaging the top of molding down.

I did not install my own roof but the person that did said he used a sealer. It did however still leak and it took me a long time to get it sealed. I used a product by U-POL called Tiger Seal and it worked well. It is an adhesive sealer that contains no silicone and remains flexible. The problem with any sealer adhesive that contains silicone is that it will not take paint.

Thanks, I research that product.

I have used weatherstrip sealer and windshield sealer both black and flexible. 3M brands are the best. A friend uses Vulkem a polyurethane sealant. He says there is nothing better.

The product I used is also a polyurethane and it was very easy to work with.

I will be using a windshield urethane. I made a wood stretching frame today for the roof material. I read where the material is put on the frame after the material has been put out in the sun to warm, with the outside of the material stapled down to the edges. (the edges of the material only are stapled to the frame)

When doing the roof, the furring frame with the material is put over the car, and then the tacking begins with the wood frame holding the material nice and taught. Of course the roof will be protected by tape and cardboard.Has anyone used this technique?

Try "Flex Seal".I,ve used it on several occasions and it works great. "Rustoleum"also makes a similar product.Both are available at big box stores.Its a rubberized spray coating.

Can someone tell me what type and size nail I should use in the aluminum molding? I assume about 3/4" long and a small head. A brass pin will probably bee to soft and too big of head will give issues when folding over the bead. Should some sealer also be put on the nail heads before bending the aluminum over?

Thanks in advance, Ted

Sounds like you have answered your own question.

Sealer was not used on the nail heads originally, but it would probably be a good idea to use just a little on each nail head. Some fellows use sealer between the roof crown moulding and the fabric top as well.