Top Restoration Service
5 year warranty
We will totally restore any 1968-1979 Bug Convertible top assembly to like-new condition. Service includes:
- Painting, rust repair & wood replacement as needed
- All rubber seals replaced
- All cables replaced
- All fabric replaced with our BEST quality top, pad kit & headliner
We started this service 18 years ago, in 1987. We have restored over 700 tops through this service and countless others as drive-in customers. All cars 67 and earlier must have the top restored on the car as the rear body tack strip is not removable after installation. With 68-79 cars the top can be moved from car to car with no damage.
The restoration of a VW Bug convertible top is a daunting project and most upholstery shops are unwilling to attempt them. With the newest aircooled VW convertible now 25 years old (and a 1968 being 37 years old) this project goes beyond what is normally considered upholstery work and moves into the arena of "restoration." We have been doing "restoration" on these tops for 30 years, and our same installer has been with us for 18 years. This is the man that will "restore" your top.
We offer many vinyl and canvas samples on our website for your convenience. If you have questions, please call Chuck, I will be glad to go through the process with you and answer all your questions.
This is a sample of our Top Restoration service. We are restoring a customer's '69 VW convertible top. (Please see Top Frame Restoration for our first step of this process.)
click a thumbnail for larger view
After the metal top frame is "restore" and powder coated, new solid wood bows are installed using stainless or galvanized hardware. Bow clearances are measured and set at factory specifications for proper fit and sealing. (See note about bows, below)
Top locks and top centering pins are installed using new hardware.
New webbing straps are installed and metal bows are positioned for the proper installation of the headliner. (All headliner pads and tops are handmade by Chuck's for each customer's top to ensure that "drum tight" fit.)
Next, we custom make the top padding and expertly fit it for a taut, clean finish.
The highest quality convertible top is then expertly installed using new side and rear cables and galvanized staples (to prevent rusting).
New front top and side top rubber seals (made by Chuck's) are installed using new aluminum mounting inserts and screws. Rear window is installed with new Chuck's seal and new Chuck's assist straps and mounts. Quarter facing seals and inside plastic header bow trip is installed (for 68-72 models).
When top is completed, it is inspected twice before being removed and placed in a custom-built wood create for shipping back to the owner (with $5000 insurance coverage).
The top shown above, installed on its owner's 1969 Yukon Yellow convertible.
About Bows
Different years have different amounts of wood bows. 1968-71 models can have as many as 10 individual pieces of wood! 1972-79 can have as many as 3, or as few as 1 wood bows, depending on the year.
The VW factory used "chip board" bows in some cases. Chuck's uses solid hardwood exclusively, which should give 20 years or more of service.
Recommendations
We recommend you order a top boot at the same time your top is restored. This will help protect your new top and headliner, and materials will match when made from the same roll of material.
Pricing
Pricing varies based on vehicle year, top material (vinyl or canvas), and top color. Please call for a quote for your particular car.
Note
We have several restoration shops that send up their customer's top while they are restoring the rest of the car. Then, they simply install the newly restored top on the body (about an hour's job on a 68-72, and about 20-30 minute job on a 73-79.) Please look at what our customers say about this service.
The highest quality parts and knowledgeable installation in the country.
We Guarantee It!
Top restorations also available on all Bug, Ghia and Rabbit convertibles by appointment. Show cars are our specialty.