I just wanted some thoughts and feedback on what I am thinking of doing here.

I'm not sure when the project budget will allow painting the 69. I was thinking of installing the pinchweld molding and well liner, throwing a boot over the whole deal, and driving the car rat rod style for a while.

So, I have read all the posts I could find, and I am still a little confused about whether this can easily be done.

Right now, the top frame is installed, painted and ready. The pinchweld was some 3M Fast & Firm on it, but nothing excessive. My pinchweld molding has been straightened and polished. I have to buy the molding clips, because I can't find them in the stuff that came with the car.

I never fooled with anything related to the top on my 68, so I am still a little confused about the order of install of everything.

Here are the questions:

1. I think I can put the gutter in now, and it can stay in (nothing goes underneath/behind where it attaches). Is that correct? If so, do I need sealer like Strip Calk between the gutter and body metal?

2. I think the pinchweld molding is the next step, is that correct? I have read it is a bear to get off, but is that because of the sealing tape? I would not be installing sealing tape, because the molding will come back off for paint; if I had been thinking when we cut the car in, I'd have cut around the pinchweld and I would have installed the molding for good.

3. I think the top itself would be next. Won't be putting a top on until after paint is on and cured.

4. I think the liner is last, and goes under the strips that hold the back of the top from the inside. If so, do I screw anything up putting it in now? Now that I am thinking about it, it probably makes zero sense to even bother with the liner now; it won't really be attenuating any sound, because the top will be down.

5. Obviously the boot is last, and I have read the posts about how to do the boot correctly.

So, do I have a general clue about the order of install? FBM isn't much help.

1. I think I can put the gutter in now, and it can stay in (nothing goes underneath/behind where it attaches). Is that correct? If so, do I need sealer like Strip Calk between the gutter and body metal?

Yes, I would put sealer on the mounting screws

2. I think the pinchweld molding is the next step, is that correct? I have read it is a bear to get off, but is that because of the sealing tape? I would not be installing sealing tape, because the molding will come back off for paint; if I had been thinking when we cut the car in, I'd have cut around the pinchweld and I would have installed the molding for good.

You will most likely scratch the paint / primmer when removing it for paint.

3. I think the top itself would be next. Won't be putting a top on until after paint is on and cured.

No, well liner tacks to the 3 rear tack strips first.

4. I think the liner is last, and goes under the strips that hold the back of the top from the inside. If so, do I screw anything up putting it in now? Now that I am thinking about it, it probably makes zero sense to even bother with the liner now; it won't really be attenuating any sound, because the top will be down.

See above, it might be a little quieter