Top Bow (Fiberglass) Repair to Attach Clips

I have used glass resin on some and others,  Tiger Hair.  Fill, cure, sand and drill undersized pilot holes for new screws ... using pop rivets may pull out the repair area.

BTW check to confirm the the fiberglass bows seats well across the frame as over time it can bow in, out of radius and a new one may be needed which is the route I would go...quick and easy.

That pink bondo has to be ground out - it offers no strength.  Gorilla hair has chopped fiberglass strands that add strength over straight resin. 

I taped the back side of the hole shut with masking tape, and then filled the holes up with J-B weld. It is SUPER strong when dry and can be drilled and sanded smooth

I was thinking that J-B Weld would be a good choice, too.  Should be harder and stronger than Bondo, even the stuff with glass "hairs" in it.  J-B Weld is pretty easy to work with, too, and it bonds to the header nicely.

When you get the header restored, DO NOT use pop rivets to secure the latch to the header.  Instead, use some 10-32 (or other suitable size) flat-head machine screws.  Drill through the header where you think the latches should be, then counter-sink the holes on the topside of the header so the screw heads fit down into them to make a nice, smooth top surface, and fasten the latch to the header with stop nuts (nylon inserts to keep them from walking out).

That should make a clean, neat and strong latch installation.  If you have one, don't forget to install a third latch just off-center.  You'll thank us later.

Send me an email at speedstahguy at gmail.com and I'll send you an illustrated article on convertible top installation.

gn

New top bow with clips installed at Vintage is $150.00.  If you get stuck you always have that option.

Thank you Alan, Wolfgang, Tab, Gordon and Frank. Your collective wisdom and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Watch for my eventual success on the Build Blog ;-) [luckily there's not much precipitation here]