Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

[Harry's Platinum 04]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

For what it's worth , I have had just one set of the dealer installed strips on the my 04 since Aug 04. Since they are barely noticeable on the platinum silver paint, I leave them on all year long. I just put the hardtop on for the winter ( with a liberal coat of silicone) and usually take it off in April, but admitedly don't drive over 12-1500 miles over the winter months. (43K total miles). The strips still look good and i have the second set as a spare.
Harry

[njmiket]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

Open cell weatherstrip from Ace hardware works excellent. About $4.50.

[waynesworld]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I installed the stainless steel strips from thunderbirdconcepts.com , more to lessen noise than protect paint. It eliminated all interior noise. What a difference. I had almost stopped driving my T-bird as rattles and squeaks drive me crazy. It's like falling in love with the car all over again.

I can see the outer edge of the strips when I lean over to look straight on at it. I plan to use some touch-up paint on the edges when I remove the top next time.

I paid $200 each for two sets( one for my brother's merlot) in June. I see the price is now $130 each. I hope this is a permanent solution. I think Aaron Scott monitors this site, maybe he will comment.

[CVCashmere]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

Wayne

I just installed Aarons' strips too. I am very pleased with the reduction in squeaks.

They worked with me in that my left side contour just didn't match the stainless one exactly. They sent a left replacement and with a little nudging, it fits. Frankly, I believe the body panel is a little off since I also have a gap around the tail light. In fact, I told them that, too.

It doesn't take much for a body panel to not be stamped 100% perfect.

Anyway, the strips fit great now!

Thanks

CV

I installed the stainless steel strips from thunderbirdconcepts.com , more to lessen noise than protect paint. It eliminated all interior noise. What a difference. I had almost stopped driving my T-bird as rattles and squeaks drive me crazy. It's like falling in love with the car all over again.

I can see the outer edge of the strips when I lean over to look straight on at it. I plan to use some touch-up paint on the edges when I remove the top next time.

I paid $200 each for two sets( one for my brother's merlot) in June. I see the price is now $130 each. I hope this is a permanent solution. I think Aaron Scott monitors this site, maybe he will comment.

[boss21078]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I made my own out of the 3M Paint Protection film that others have talked about. Takes a little time to make, made a template out of heavy paper first, if you have the original type from ford, you could lay them out to copy on the film. Have been on for ~ 2 years and other are weathering fine. Price was right compared to other options!

Bob B.

[bronzebird]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I've followed this thread with interest.
Maybe my '05 was built to different specs but I have never noticed any movement of the hardtop or any scuff marks on the car. I have a hoist and take the top on and off the car frequently.
I put the QAA stainless steel strips on the car about two years ago, making sure I buffed the edges well before application. (some folks had posted complaints about the sharp edges), and they still look fine.
I find the rear anchors hold the top in place quite well and I always take off the header strip at the front when aligning and tightening the front screws. This requires loosening and re-tightening four screws on each side of the pillar posts but I'm a bit anal about making certain the top is correctly aligned and as tight as I can get it.
I still have the original factory mylar package but I have never opened it.
Bronzebird

[Sonrisas]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I've had good luck with 3M Scotchgard 84901. It is marketed as a door edge guard, but also works well for our hardtops. This sku is .4" X 10 yards so there is enough for several applications. It is easy to apply.

[My Raven]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I used black electrical tape ... It works perfect and if you own an Evening Black you don't even hardly notice it when the top is off not that you would want to leave it on: It did nothing to the finish or clear coat.

[timothy]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I installed the stainless steel strips from thunderbirdconcepts.com , more to lessen noise than protect paint. It eliminated all interior noise. What a difference. I had almost stopped driving my T-bird as rattles and squeaks drive me crazy. It's like falling in love with the car all over again.

I can see the outer edge of the strips when I lean over to look straight on at it. I plan to use some touch-up paint on the edges when I remove the top next time.

I paid $200 each for two sets( one for my brother's merlot) in June. I see the price is now $130 each. I hope this is a permanent solution. I think Aaron Scott monitors this site, maybe he will comment.

[timothy]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

Ditto on the protective strips from TBN. I was amazed when I drove the car for the first time with the protection strips and the hard top on. It feels like a totally different car now. Zero rattles and squeeks.

[Brad]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I was about to put on my hardtop yesterday and to my dismay I found that I used my last set of Ford strips last year. I was about to order the material from Xpel and cut them as Birdfan had indicated. I found a local Xpel dealer and he told me that the 3M material was thicker than the Xpel. The price of the 3M is higher than the Xpel. If I recall correctly for $30. I could get 2 applications out of the bulk product cut down.

Lonestar, I like your idea however I wonder if it would be worth it given the high cost of the material.

I ended up finding my strips from last year and cleaned and removed the adhesive and reused them given the cost. In the spring I'll probably pickup some 3M and use mine as a template to make some more as has been suggested on this thread

[HerronScott]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I am talking to a gentlemen on Friday 11/06 about making these. The source for the 3M ones has long dried up and the company has closed. I have a virgin set of the Ford provided hardtop protection strips and I am going to see if the guy I am going to talk to can use these originals as a template and pump some out at a reasonable price.

Lonestar,

Any progress on this?

Scott

[Lonestar]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

Lonestar,

Any progress on this?

Scott

I provided the guy I was talking to a virgin set of the strips that were provided by Ford which consists of 4 pieces. He sent these off to Xpel to get the templates made so he can load the templates into his cutter and make the strips out of Xpel’s protection film. This has been done and we tried to get together over Thanksgiving weekend but neither of us could sync up. I an going to get with him this week for a test fit and if all if OK I will start a thread.

I asked him how much a set would cost and he said $49.95. I told him that they will not sell at that price and asked that he rethink his cost and etc. I advised him that the strips will turn yellow as a result of various types of stuff people place on their hardtop gaskets (at least my strips always turn yellow) and as a result of this many people will remove the strips when the hardtop is removed and reinstall a new set the next season. IE, $49.95 would not be bad if you could put them on once and forget them but a bit high for folks wanting to install a new set each season.

I should have a status, price, availability, and etc. by the end of this coming week.

[GrayGator72]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I too need used my last mylar strips and did not copy a templet. Lots of good resources and discussion here to follow up on.
I too was also shocked when the Fords parts guy said $169 and you can only get it as the Kit. What a rip off. I may order the Kit, copy the strips for the templet and then return for a refund (if they'll let me sneak this by), two can play at this game.

[Leroy]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I use a good quality masking tape about 3/8" wide along the edge were the top seals. Goes on easy and comes off even easier. The next best solution is the plastic chrome trim, it looks good and isn't expensive and is easliy removed without paint damage. There seems to be too many problems with the SS trim having sharp edges and coming unglued plus the price. I'm sticking with my masking tape. But lets face it, the weather seal leaves marks on the paint mostly because the top isn't fitting down tight. Replacing the weather stripping with a larger diameter stripping makes a big difference, I did it to my top. Leroy

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