Are these Rub Marks??

[bombgolf]

All,

Do the the enclosed pics show the beginning of the "rub marks" on my car that many have had? I am fearful that they are... I bought the car just 38 days ago and she has just 1500 miles on her....

If they are the rub marks, any advice as to how to proceed, recommendations and/or what I can expect from the car and dealership is certainly requested and welcome...

Thanks in advance for the help, it is greatly appreciated.

[theragtopguy]

Yup they are. Search and you will find a plethora of answers to your questions.

[babytiger]

I would say the 2nd and 3rd pics are, not sure about the 1st pic.

[tonyko1]

Try some clean water with a rag over the "affected areas" and let sit out in the sun to dry. The last two photos are pretty common, and when mine gets those creases, I do as written above.

Good luck.

[theragtopguy]

I have them all and no amount of cleaning and scrubbing will get rid of them. The 'v' marks over the doors are typical. Thank goodness I don't have any holes yet, but when the spring comes I will be at the dealership to get them addressed further, hopefully replaced. I had the TSB done in April.....don't think it did too much though.

Passenger side above the door


Driver's side over the door


Drivers rear quarter


Pass rear quarter

[He11bent]

I never had the second two, jut the first pic. Look in my album and see what hole will eventually appear above the door. They will not typically do anything util the material is getting damaged. When is your build date?

[bombgolf]

Originally Posted by He11bent

I never had the second two, jut the first pic. Look in my album and see what hole will eventually appear above the door. They will not typically do anything util the material is getting damaged. When is your build date?

my build date is Aug 11. According to the records, she had the TSB performed...

[bombgolf]

Originally Posted by He11bent

I never had the second two, jut the first pic. Look in my album and see what hole will eventually appear above the door. They will not typically do anything util the material is getting damaged. When is your build date?

He11bent, how do I get to your pics/album?

[tonyko1]

Just drove by a Chevy Cavalier Z-24 with a convertible top and it looked okay, a bit weathered, the black top was faded but after 15yrs or so, to be expected.

We all need to stick together on this. Even though my top is fine, having read all this, I am on your side.

[CooG]

First pic definitely is.....that's the rub marks from the screws.....

[He11bent]

Originally Posted by bombgolf

He11bent, how do I get to your pics/album?

Click on my username to the left.

[bombgolf]

Originally Posted by CooG

First pic definitely is.....that's the rub marks from the screws.....

CooG, where on the frame is the offending screw? Is there anything I can do to mitigate?

[2001ragtop]

Originally Posted by bombgolf

CooG, where on the frame is the offending screw? Is there anything I can do to mitigate?

There exists a very easy way to fix the problem you have right now, by just putting some tape over the screw button head. If I was in your shoes, that's what I would do and I would avoid letting anyone mess with my car. I assume you can find that screw by raising the top halfway.

But to fix the issue properly, there does exist an updated bracket to correct that issue. In fact, your car may already have the update. You would need to raise the top and look at it. There also exist a method that involves removing your existing bracket and trimming a portion off of it, and perhaps another modification to it that I am not fully aware of.

If you want the new bracket installed (which likely was included on 2013 models), I would first go to the dealer, and wait for them to order these specific parts. They are already aware of this issue. Later, when you are positive they have the new brackets in stock, then schedule an appointment to have them install it.

The main thing you should be concerned with is if your car is leaking or you find water on the floor behind the front seats. The "scuff" type of marks on your top (in my opinion) are pretty normal. Most convertible cars with this same kind of top always have some marks, (and the marks on the non-GM cars are much worse), but I assume the marks eventually go away.

No matter what, it has been said that "all" of the issues that might exist with this top, have been pretty much solved, depending on which issue you might discover. This website has covered all of these problems in excruciating detail with full engineering analysis and many have had permanent success with the fixes. This area of the website if very informative regarding the convertible top design.

Good luck!

[bombgolf]

Originally Posted by 2001ragtop

There exists a very easy way to fix the problem you have right now, by just putting some tape over the screw button head. If I was in your shoes, that's what I would do and I would avoid letting anyone mess with my car. I assume you can find that screw by raising the top halfway.

But to fix the issue properly, there does exist an updated bracket to correct that issue. In fact, your car may already have the update. You would need to raise the top and look at it. There also exist a method that involves removing your existing bracket and trimming a portion off of it, and perhaps another modification to it that I am not fully aware of.

If you want the new bracket installed (which likely was included on 2013 models), I would first go to the dealer, and wait for them to order these specific parts. They are already aware of this issue. Later, when you are positive they have the new brackets in stock, then schedule an appointment to have them install it.

The main thing you should be concerned with is if your car is leaking or you find water on the floor behind the front seats. The "scuff" type of marks on your top (in my opinion) are pretty normal. Most convertible cars with this same kind of top always have some marks, (and the marks on the non-GM cars are much worse), but I assume the marks eventually go away.

No matter what, it has been said that "all" of the issues that might exist with this top, have been pretty much solved, depending on which issue you might discover. This website has covered all of these problems in excruciating detail with full engineering analysis and many have had permanent success with the fixes. This area of the website if very informative regarding the convertible top design.

Good luck!

Is that bracket for the rub marks over the door or the rear "v" behind the rear windows? Thanks for the assist.