[my66cruiser]

It has been a while and I have been enjoying my T-Bird, albeit with black duct tape on my worn and old vinyl top just to keep the water out. Well, my car is now somewhat apart in order to restore the top. I have removed the necessary interior trim, rear seats, weather stripping and weather stripping channels, drip rails, front windshield left, right, and top trim. Sure has lots of trim.

The roof had some surface rust - most of it on the passenger side than the driver side. So I have half surface rust and half parchment paint/adhesive on top. This is the original car color but car is now metallic light blue now. The sides where the Landau bars and beltline trim are look very well - in great shape. Some small rust holes at the lower part of the rear window where the vinyl roof was, but easy repair there. I also will be restoring the two headliners in the car as the vinyl has separated.

Now, I would like to know if you agree with my procedure for the next phase to restore the roof. I am not an expert, not even a novice so please let me know if this sounds alright.

1) Remove all adhesive and residual foamy bits.
2) Sand everything down to either metal or good paint. Use a wire wheel to clean out channels at sides of roof.
3) Rust Paint everything with Eastwoods rust paint or other.
4) Repair small holes with whatever one repairs small holes with. Any suggestions, fiberglass gel and hardener, bondo? What is the best small hole repair filler?
5) Apply second coat of black rust paint.
6) Install new vinyl top and put everything back together. Of course one can leave off the vinyl and just paint but I like the original look.

Also, any suggestions for the foam that is used under the vinyl top? Or is it okay to not use any?

Thanks for your help. My car sure looks interesting with a light blue body, parchment sides of roof with some foamy fuzz hanging on, half rust color and half parchment roof. Thanks.