Vert Boot cover- any advise on installation

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cuda67

cuda67

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Finally, 24 years after I bought her, I am putting a boot cover on my ride. It arrived today from Convertible Specialists and as soon as it quits raining and warms up a little I will tackle this project. It looks pretty straight forward. All that I have to do is put on the snaps. I hope it is as easy as it appears. Is there any advise out there?
 
Most of them fit pretty tight. Easier in summer than winter to install. There should be a channel on the back of the rear seat. The boot will slide in from one end or the other. Dont let the snaps scratch the paint while going in there. Pull and snap.
 
RedFish said:
Most of them fit pretty tight. Easier in summer than winter to install. There should be a channel on the back of the rear seat. The boot will slide in from one end or the other. Dont let the snaps scratch the paint while going in there. Pull and snap.
Click to expand...

Thanks, redfish. You are right about the channel behind the seat. I have to put the snaps on the top. The snaps came with the top but are not attached. It also included a tool to attach the snaps. I am hoping that attaching the snaps to the boot cover isn't a real hassel.

John
 
Well... I know why that is. The body and trim / screw clips rust away there . The mating halves of the snaps may have been relocated sometime in the past.
Will your snaps show heads on the outside of that boot ?
 
RedFish said:
Well... I know why that is. The body and trim / screw clips rust away there . The mating halves of the snaps may have been relocated sometime in the past.
Will your snaps show heads on the outside of that boot ?
Click to expand...

Yes, the heads will show on the outside. I may be stressing over nothing, but I would hate to punch a hole to place a snap and then find out I messed up the location. The snaps have to be smacked together with a hammer on a die. so the locations have to be maked first and then the snaps installed. I am just concerned that I:glasses9: might mis-align them. I just need to be more confident and take my time.

Thank you
 
cuda67, I did this on my vert last summer so heres the details of my installation. First off, it was a pretty decent day with temps in the upper 70's to 80 degrees. I laid the boot in the sun for about an hour while I prepped the car for the install. I did the install in the shade after bringing the boot in the shade and letting it sit for a while before starting. I didn't want it to be too soft or hot but I wanted it to be warm enough to be nice and pliable. Your boot should have the center snap in place as a starting point. Also make sure that after sliding the welt into the track on the back of the seat that it is centered in the track before you start. Just make a quick measurement at each end and make the ends the same amount from the end of the track. Work your way from the center to the outside doing a couple snaps on each side of center and paying a close eye on any wrinkles from slight mis-alignment. I smoothed the lip of the boot where the snaps will be installed to make sure it was nice and flat and not stretched when I marked it to punch the hole for the snap. Then I located the snap under it and poked a hole through it with an awl when it was laying over the snap below it. I made sure that the hole I poked was in the center of the flange. Then I pulled it away from the car and pushed the awl through enough to enlarge the hole enough to put the stem of the snap through the hole. I used the die and punch by backing it up on the frame of the top to head the stem and complete each snap before moving on. Do not over do the head of the snap, make sure that the snap can still spin on the stem a little or you may risk tearing the material under the snap. Continue around the corners making sure that there are no wrinkles in the field of the boot as you work your way around. Also, when you are nearing the end where it terminates by the rear interior panel, make sure that it has enough play to be able to mount the final snap that goes on the flap that snaps on the panel. With a little patience and about an hour or so, you will be amazed at the results you will achieve. Good luck and enjoy some top-down time in the 67. Geof
 
I bought a 66 boot cover from Legendary when they had a special.

Pulled it out of the package and read the directions...LOL...it's still there. I thought it was snap on and go. :rolleyes: I didn't realize I am missing the chrome strip behind the rear seat #-o

Thanks cosgig for the install tips and when I find the chrome piece, I will follow your directions...
 
cosgig said:
cuda67, Work your way from the center to the outside doing a couple snaps on each side of center and paying a close eye on any wrinkles from slight mis-alignment. Geof
Click to expand...
cosgig: Those are very good instructions. Having done many upholstering projects, I'd say you got him started in the right spot. I'm sure your instructions will help others here also.
 
cosgig said:
cuda67, I did this on my vert last summer so heres the details of my installation. First off, it was a pretty decent day with temps in the upper 70's to 80 degrees. I laid the boot in the sun for about an hour while I prepped the car for the install. I did the install in the shade after bringing the boot in the shade and letting it sit for a while before starting. I didn't want it to be too soft or hot but I wanted it to be warm enough to be nice and pliable. Your boot should have the center snap in place as a starting point. Also make sure that after sliding the welt into the track on the back of the seat that it is centered in the track before you start. Just make a quick measurement at each end and make the ends the same amount from the end of the track. Work your way from the center to the outside doing a couple snaps on each side of center and paying a close eye on any wrinkles from slight mis-alignment. I smoothed the lip of the boot where the snaps will be installed to make sure it was nice and flat and not stretched when I marked it to punch the hole for the snap. Then I located the snap under it and poked a hole through it with an awl when it was laying over the snap below it. I made sure that the hole I poked was in the center of the flange. Then I pulled it away from the car and pushed the awl through enough to enlarge the hole enough to put the stem of the snap through the hole. I used the die and punch by backing it up on the frame of the top to head the stem and complete each snap before moving on. Do not over do the head of the snap, make sure that the snap can still spin on the stem a little or you may risk tearing the material under the snap. Continue around the corners making sure that there are no wrinkles in the field of the boot as you work your way around. Also, when you are nearing the end where it terminates by the rear interior panel, make sure that it has enough play to be able to mount the final snap that goes on the flap that snaps on the panel. With a little patience and about an hour or so, you will be amazed at the results you will achieve. Good luck and enjoy some top-down time in the 67. Geof
Click to expand...
Thanks to all for the advice. I will get it done this weekend. There is no center snap already attached, but the instructions do tell me to start with that snap first and to make sure I get it centered. LOL
 
6pk2goDemon said:
I bought a 66 boot cover from Legendary when they had a special.

Pulled it out of the package and read the directions...LOL...it's still there. I thought it was snap on and go. :rolleyes: I didn't realize I am missing the chrome strip behind the rear seat #-o

Thanks cosgig for the install tips and when I find the chrome piece, I will follow your directions...
Click to expand...

I may be able to get you that chrome channel piece. There is a couple of convertibles in a yard that I frequent around here. I will check when I'm down there next time and if there is one left, I'll grab one for ya. Geof
 
6pk2goDemon said:
I bought a 66 boot cover from Legendary when they had a special.

Pulled it out of the package and read the directions...LOL...it's still there. I thought it was snap on and go. :rolleyes: I didn't realize I am missing the chrome strip behind the rear seat #-o

Thanks cosgig for the install tips and when I find the chrome piece, I will follow your directions...
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what was used on pre 67 . My welt channel is extruded aluminum. Similar if not the very same material was used on many boats and is probably available new too if all else fails.
 
cuda67 said:
Thanks to all for the advice. I will get it done this weekend. There is no center snap already attached, but the instructions do tell me to start with that snap first and to make sure I get it centered. LOL
Click to expand...

Let us know how the install goes. Will have to do mine eventually and any help or tips to make it easier are always welcome.



cosgig said:
I may be able to get you that chrome channel piece. There is a couple of convertibles in a yard that I frequent around here. I will check when I'm down there next time and if there is one left, I'll grab one for ya. Geof
Click to expand...


Geof, That would be super if you find one. Let me know....8)
 
if you have a interior or boat top shop close they have a better tool to install them and would probably do it in a few minutes and should not cost too much

If not cover your trunk so you don't scratch it and take your time

I needed the trim for the back of the rear seat to hold the front of the boot. I ended up buying another car to get the piece. I couldn't find one anywhere. After getting the car I found a piece on Ebay.
 
6pk2goDemon said:
Let us know how the install goes. Will have to do mine eventually and any help or tips to make it easier are always welcome.






Geof, That would be super if you find one. Let me know....8)
Click to expand...

What year and model is your car? I'd like to make sure it's the right piece. Thanks, Geof
 
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