Hard top repair (preload)

[lBasket]

I'm going to start attempting to repair my hardtop soon but my garage is small so I'm thinking of where to put it during the repair...

I'm wondering about "preloading" the top while I repair it. Like, will hanging it up from rafters put pressure on the top in a way that will cause my repair to bend/crack/stretch/compress well when it's "unloaded"? Or what about if I support it from somewhere like the inside of the top of the top from underneath? Or do I need to be sure to support it where it bolts onto the tub for the same "load"?

Maybe I'm overthinking it, not super familiar with this SMC material

 

[P man]

You need to have it bolted to the tub to do your bodywork..they flex alot and you want the repaired area to be at a natural state when installed not stressed

 

[lBasket]

You need to have it bolted to the tub to do your bodywork..they flex alot and you want the repaired area to be at a natural state when installed not stressed

Well shit my goal is to take it off the Jeep to repair it so I don't end up rushed and screwing it up so I can get to softball or whatever. Do you think I can have it rest on sawhorses or something where it would normally bolt down or will it still flex without something supporting the front of it?

 

[NDSpeed]

What kinds of damage are you talking about?

 

[lBasket]

This was right when it happened - the window has been re-seated and fits fine

Wish I had gotten a better angle - it looks like the damage goes up to the window hole's edge but I believe there's a good 2" of undamaged top between the window and the crushed section

 

[P man]

Do you have the missing pieces?

 

[lBasket]

Do you have the missing pieces?

Yes they're all still there, they're crushed in in the pic but if you look at some of the other photos I've posted recently you can see they flattened out pretty well back into shape under the duct tape "temporary" repair

Don't have any great pics of the duct tape job atm but it seals pretty well against my doors so the shape is still there luckily