Removing a stuck canopy? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Number21 · 03-12-2012, 11:17 PM

My truck has a canopy on the back that I was hoping to take off today. I took off all the clamps inside but it is still stuck solid by the foam rubber tape/sealant between the bed rails and the canopy.

Anybody have any thoughts on how I can get this off without totally ruining the bed?

MilkyJoe · 03-12-2012, 11:53 PM

get a thin knife with a good edge and run it across the entire rim of the canopy.
Should do the trick

I did this when I picked up a canopy from a ford ranger and it had that foam strip AND screws lol. no clamps

71swb4x4 · 03-13-2012, 12:01 AM

Take it down some old mountain trails at 50mph, it should fall off on it's own...

Do you have a helper? Maybe some piano wire wrapped around some dowels for handles with one of you inside and one outside.

MilkyJoe · 03-13-2012, 12:09 AM

X2 on the piano wire, just like when you take out a windshield

Eyegore · 03-13-2012, 12:42 AM

Use a hot air dyer and slowly pry it up or wait until August and bring it to phoenix when its a 118 out, it'll come off.

cory d · 03-13-2012, 12:52 AM

my buddy got a truck with a canopy sealed on. we both had to crawl inside and and push up for the foam tape to let go

INSIDIOUS '86 · 03-13-2012, 01:20 AM

Happened on a friend of mines truck. Since canopying grow on trees we roped it and yanked it off with another truck came out in peices. Prev owner had used rtv on everything
Posted via Mobile Device

jhngardner367 · 03-13-2012, 01:35 AM

Get some mineral spirits,at the hardware store.Use a paintbrush,and paint it on the tape.Get it soaked in good,then wait 10-15 minutes,and start peeling it off.
The mineral spirits won't hurt the paint/canopy,and it washes off easily(it's also good for oil stains on the concrete).You may have to soak it a couple of times,but usually once does it.

TDS-MN · 03-13-2012, 10:31 AM

I'll agree, it could still just be the tape holding it on. That stuff can really grab over time. I struggled with mine a bit after removing the clamps, but it finally did lift away.

03-12-2012, 11:17 PM	#1
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Removing a stuck canopy? My truck has a canopy on the back that I was hoping to take off today. I took off all the clamps inside but it is still stuck solid by the foam rubber tape/sealant between the bed rails and the canopy. Anybody have any thoughts on how I can get this off without totally ruining the bed? __________________ '73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville.

03-12-2012, 11:53 PM	#2
MilkyJoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Fort Knox, Kentucky Posts: 91	Re: Removing a stuck canopy? get a thin knife with a good edge and run it across the entire rim of the canopy. Should do the trick I did this when I picked up a canopy from a ford ranger and it had that foam strip AND screws lol. no clamps

03-13-2012, 12:01 AM	#3
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Removing a stuck canopy? Take it down some old mountain trails at 50mph, it should fall off on it's own... Do you have a helper? Maybe some piano wire wrapped around some dowels for handles with one of you inside and one outside. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

03-13-2012, 12:09 AM	#4
MilkyJoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Fort Knox, Kentucky Posts: 91	Re: Removing a stuck canopy? X2 on the piano wire, just like when you take out a windshield

03-13-2012, 12:42 AM	#5
Eyegore What Hump? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New River AZ Posts: 2,009	Re: Removing a stuck canopy? Use a hot air dyer and slowly pry it up or wait until August and bring it to phoenix when its a 118 out, it'll come off. __________________ Lil red 86 c-10 99 Sub 78 Camper Special w/ 454

03-13-2012, 12:52 AM	#6
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: Removing a stuck canopy? my buddy got a truck with a canopy sealed on. we both had to crawl inside and and push up for the foam tape to let go __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

03-13-2012, 01:20 AM	#7
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: Removing a stuck canopy? Happened on a friend of mines truck. Since canopying grow on trees we roped it and yanked it off with another truck came out in peices. Prev owner had used rtv on everything Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

03-13-2012, 01:35 AM	#8
jhngardner367 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Austin, Arkansas Posts: 248	Re: Removing a stuck canopy? Get some mineral spirits,at the hardware store.Use a paintbrush,and paint it on the tape.Get it soaked in good,then wait 10-15 minutes,and start peeling it off. The mineral spirits won't hurt the paint/canopy,and it washes off easily(it's also good for oil stains on the concrete).You may have to soak it a couple of times,but usually once does it. __________________ Always expect the unexpected,....but don't expect the unexpected to be the unexpected you expect ! I'm busier than a one-legged cat,in a sandbox! Veteran..and proud ! I can't fix what ain't broke....you want I should break it?

03-13-2012, 10:31 AM	#9
TDS-MN Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mpls, MN USA Posts: 151	Re: Removing a stuck canopy? I'll agree, it could still just be the tape holding it on. That stuff can really grab over time. I struggled with mine a bit after removing the clamps, but it finally did lift away. __________________ TomS. '98 S-10 Blazer 4dr 4wd - 4.3, AT, stock & '85 K-10 w/ 305, 700r4, np208, and RUST! SOLD Dec 2014

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