I just installed my new boot on my 68 for the first time. It took about 15 minutes and a few drips of sweat (not real happy about the sweat) to get that thing on there. I don't think there is any way I am going to snap that thing on there every time the top is down. I think the term "parade boot" is going to apply. I'll snap that thing on there for shows but that is it. Just wondering if I am alone on this one.

Not at all i have a boot for my vert and its a pita to get it on,, i hardly ever use it. Looks great when its on but not worth the trouble just for a sunday ride in the country..... Frank

LOL yes and no... The snaps can be a pain until you get the hang of them... I know it gets easier as the clips wear some too. I hope you said snaps and meant clips, there is a big difference and none of this applies to snaps.

Make sure the clips are set into the boot properly for starters. Then make sure you are hooking the small tight end 1st and pushing down on the bigger fat end to secure the boot to the molding. I know a lot of people that do it the other way... Here's a previous but fairly recent thread on the same subject.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=78038&highlight=clips

Thanks Dennis after reading that i think mine is on backwards! I will look next time i get it out and change them if they are..Frank

I don't HAVE a boot.....it's on the list, but pretty far down. The disadvantage to not having one is that the sun fades the inside of the top.

ITS A PAIN IN THE ASS. :angry: :clonk:


bob

The plactic clips could only go on one way. There was a slot in the plastic and a 1/4 inch hole above it. Two metal prongs on the clips went through the slot and the 2 eared holder went threough the hole and then the metal clip slid over the 2 ears on the other side to hold the plsatic clip to the ring of plastic that runs around the boot. You have to hook the plastic clip over the trim twards the rear of the car and then snap the other end of the clip over the inside lip of the trim by pushing it down.

I've purchased and returned 2 of them. They fit like they were made for a different car, like maybe a nova or cadillac or something?

I did find an upholstery shop that will custom make one that fits for almost $350. Someday... Have to leave the car there all day, idea doesn't sit well.

And yes, the part of the top that is exposed when folded down is now this kinda pasty grey color. Wonder if shoe polish would help?

You have to hook the plastic clip over the trim twards the rear of the car and then snap the other end of the clip over the inside lip of the trim by pushing it down.

No, that's backwards... You hook the small end of the clip onto the interior edge of the molding and snap the large end over the outward edge of the molding... Look at the clips, the little end is not really designed to snap onto the molding, it hooks onto it. The larger opening is designed to snap over the moldings edge.

I know, I hooked the outside lip first them pushed down the inside side of the clip. The cover was made to put the clips on this way.

I know, I hooked the outside lip first them pushed down the inside side of the clip. The cover was made to put the clips on this way.

You mean the bigger rounder end of the clip points to the inside?

yep

Parade boot-that's good! I believe that's a description of mine. I like to store the top up so putting on/off the boot is a PITA! I have seen an Indy car with snaps that might be easier.

Before putting it on, leave it in the sun for 10 min. That makes mine go on very easy.

Wow, I must be pretty lucky. Mine goes on without a lot of hassle. I just have to remember to snap the interior snaps first and then start in the middle of the rear deck and work my way around.

Letting it sun bath for a few minutes before putting it on is also a good idea.

I'm one of the lucky ones too. The boot I bought for my '68 is probably the single best resto piece I've ever purchased. Rick's had two different quality boots when I bought mine. I bought the "better" one and have been very happy with it...

My '67 still has the original top and boot. I have never put the boot on as the foam lining of the boot is dried and it looks like bread crumbs falling off...want to buy a new boot, but waiting for feedback on a good repro.

putting it in the sun makes it alot easier, I use it all the time.
what I dont like is the edge along the body is not flat , it is lumpy
looking.
I am waiting for Prodigy and the possible hard cover boot design

I put my boot on in the Spring then leave the top down until Fall is over. I hear all the time that it's not good to leave a top down that long but I have done it three years running and have never had a problem. The top is a little wrinkly when I put it up in October but they always disappear after a week or two. My top is not in real good shape so I don't worry about it. It is NICE to be able to jump in and go without having to worry about the boot. Don't have to worry about scratches either from repetitive taking it on and off. I would never go through the trouble of taking it on and off each time I drive.

I just leave the top down and keep the boot on all summer

yep

my bad, major brain lock... you hook the small end on the outer side of the molding and push inward toward the interior of the car to snap the clip on...

ITS A PAIN IN THE ASS. :angry: :clonk:


bob

Suggestion time, I have found that a little armorall or wax on the clip just before installation really make it easier. Also the sun idea is a big help. One more thing, as you push the clip down, it forces the metal trim down. If you put a bit of towel under the area, it keeps the metal up so you do not have to push so hard. :hurray:

I've never had the boot on because I can't get it to go on. Doesn't seem like the top goes far enough into the well for it to fit. It's a repro boot I bought a long time ago, but I still have the original and they look to be the same size. Even heating it up in the sun doesn't seem to work.

Whenever I see one with the boot on I always wonder if there's really a top under it, or if it's just a bare frame...

Once I get the boot on, I usually leave it on for a while in the summer.

PITA for sure.

Looks great though. I bought the nice repro from Rick's. I still have my original one with the stamp on the inside foam. It's stored in the garage.

I leave the boot on too, but I unsnap 4 or 5 clips so if it swinks a little it does
not pull on the mouldings.
My top is not in good shape and i only drive topless!!!!!!!!!!

DJD...I do it your first way. I hook the inside then pop the outside on.

Easy answer. Get two verts like me. one stays up and the other down!! :)

I do not use my boot, just for the fact that I don't want to take a chance at scratching the moldings...but thats just me being anal,,, I like the idea in the above posting of having two coverts.

With 3 Verts (different makes) I can agree with the 'leave it out in the sun' for a while before putting it on. It does help.

Mine was a major pita to install when I first started using them. Even ordered a second top but it fit poorly too. With a power top I always just powered it straight down and then did the shove, pull, tug routine to get the boot on. I eventually found and read my extra "GM convertible folding top operation" manual that was in the stack of crap that came with my car. After I understood the proper procedure to lower and fold the top my boots fit well and are pretty easy install and remove. You can get a repro copy of the manual for under $10. Basically, you "lower the top until its about 15 inches from the full down position and then pull the top material and padding from between operating arms of the top to ensure proper fit of folding top dust boot" and make sure you pull the material out from both sides (front/back) of the second bow. Also, leave your handles in the open position. The manual has good illustrations.

The next problem was preventing the boot from ballooning at high speed. :thumbsup:

I always use my boot - looks naked without it

Not me! I think it's worthless...unless you're into parades...Don't have time to spare stretching it to get it on and messing with it for 15 minutes everytime. I drive and smile...

I use Mine : )

Since I leave the top down all summer, I always have the factory original boot on. It is just a better look.

Ok, so now I have the boot on, how do I get it off????

i never put boot on but i do agree makes car look better.

T R Y E D once to put it on my Chevelle but the snaps are in the wrong place.Havent tryed sence its to much of a pain for a short drive,And its parked outside.(need more space). ASSS for the Camaro......Does a blue tarp count?(LOL):clonk:

Ya know, Chevy really dropped the ball when they designed this boot. GM did a much better job on the early 70's Olds Cutlasses - at least as far as boots go. Before I got my 69 RS/SS conv, I had a 1970 Cutlass SX 455 conv, and it had the factory original boot with it. This boot actually had a channel just in back of the rear seatback that held a plastic bead that was attched to the leading edge of the boot. You would simply slide the bead into the channel. This served the purpose of holding the front of the boot down to prevent ballooning at highway speeds. Then the edge of the boot had another very thin piece of rigid plastic sewn into it that would slide under the molding. This made for a very smooth appearance, with no bumps or wrinkles from the clips. When I wanted to put the top up, I could just pull the plastic strips back out from the moldings, leaving the plastic bead in place, flip the boot into the back seat, raise the top, and then flip the boot back into the convertible top well. I am thinking about trying to find a good upholstery shop to see if they can duplicate this setup on one of my convertible Camaros.

I don't know if the earlier Cutlasses had this setup as well, or if it was something that was developed after 1970, but it sure beat the pants off the setup that was used on the Camaros.

This boot actually had a channel just in back of the rear seatback that held a plastic bead that was attched to the leading edge of the boot. You would simply slide the bead into the channel. This served the purpose of holding the front of the boot down to prevent ballooning at highway speeds. Then the edge of the boot had another very thin piece of rigid plastic sewn into it that would slide under the molding. This made for a very smooth appearance, with no bumps or wrinkles from the clips. When I wanted to put the top up, I could just pull the plastic strips back out from the moldings, leaving the plastic bead in place, flip the boot into the back seat.

Thats how the Chevelle is also, Thats a good idea flipping it into the car then flipping it back to attach again.I'll have to give that a try.

I was out working on the car today, so I tryed the boot and it works great! Even with the snaps in the wrong location, Nice driving it with the top not flapping in the breeze.
Now I am going to try the flip it into the back seat idea since the channel holds the boot in place in the front. (Chevelle)

No you are not. The only eazy way to get my it on 69 is to put it in the attic of my garage on a hot July day for about 6 hours then quickly put it on before it cools. I have had it on 1 time and I dought if I put it on again.

I use mine all the time. Makes a nice clean look. Not to hard to put on or take off all in about 10 minutes. on in the spring off in the fall.

Bob

Are the boots you Guys have strech, Mine is very soft and strechable all most like rubber but looks like vinyl.

Are the boots you Guys have strech, Mine is very soft and strechable all most like rubber but looks like vinyl.

Mine is a little stretchable and rubbery when very warm like after baking in the sun for an hour. When it's cold it is on the firm side. So it is easer to install after a little warm weather.

To each his own, but I absolutely always put on the boot. I believe it looks partially finished without it. I have the original boot, fits easy with no problems as long as you fold the top correctly in the first place.

I use Mine : )
Same here, but when parked (in my garage) the top is up. I just got this '67 and one quick lesson by the previous owner was all I needed.

my 68 vert was a daily driver for the most part of the 90's. i never put a boot on it. the top got very faded on the parts that faced up towards the sun. now that our cars are worth more now than in the 90's and my 69 vert has new top, i will most certainly take the time to put the boot on every single time

ange