Expert: Vern Bullock - 8/23/2008

Question
I recently purchased a 1989 Lincoln Town Car Cartier series that was originally purchased by an affluent older couple here in my city.  Their son owns the Lincoln dealership, so they have access to many ultra-fine Lincolns.  I jumped at the chance to buy this car.  It has a total of 7,045 miles on the odometer. It's not even broke in good yet.  The problem is two-fold:  They have a massive garage (one that could probably easily hold 40 cars) and it is not heater or air conditioned.  The padded vinyl top is still more-or-less intact, but you can tell it's about to give way because of the heat and I suspect the owners did not "treat" it with anything.   I have been told not to use such things as Armor All on the top.  There are two very tiny places that are about to split as we speak.  Should I attempt a repair job? (Not good at that handyman thing at all!) or should I bite the bullet and have the entire roof replaced?

Also, the heat has affected the driver's side door panel and it's split.  I understand the Cartier edition is very difficult to find.  Do you have any ideas where I might find one? What should I do?  thanks in advance

Answer
Hi Erby:
There are good vinyl repair kits that will work to stop the splitting, but if the vinyl is dry and brittle, replace it. If not, spray on vinyl restoration liquid to add moisture back into the vinyl, but don't rub it, just dab it with a cloth. See if that will soften the vinyl and give it a nice rich look again.