Convertible Top Repairs in 5 Easy Steps
- Clean the repair area with isopropyl alcohol to remove any dirt or body oils which may impact a good bond onto the convertible top.
- Trim fraying edges with scissors.
- Apply a piece of Tenacious Tape (included in the Soft Top Repair Kit) over the damaged area. ...
- Apply the Aquaseal FD adhesive included in the kit onto the other side of the repair. ...
- Apply another piece of Tenacious Tape over the adhesive, extending at least 1'' beyond the damaged area. Allow 24 hours for the repair to cure.
How to repair a broken convertible top?
Step 1: Clean the repair area with isopropyl alcohol to remove any dirt or body oils which may impact a good bond onto the convertible top. Step 2: Trim fraying edges with scissors.
Can a convertible top be repaired from a binding tear?
But binding tears represent a minority of places where a top may need a repair. Instead, most tears happen in other locations. For these convertible top repairs, you’ll need to take the convertible top off the frame for the popular stitch-patch-and-seal job.
How do you repair a tear in a canvas car?
Wait until the glue you have already used is dry and remove the tape on the interior of the car and start to sew the replacement patch over the tear. You can sew the patch on the outside of the tear if the canvas you are using is the same type and color. You can also dye the patch if you want it to go on the outside.
How do you use tenacious tape on a convertible top?
This repair tape should extend at least 1'' beyond the rip, tear or hole. When cutting your Tenacious Tape patch, round the corners. When applying the patch to the convertible top, smooth out any bubbles and ensure the edges lay flat.
Can you patch a cloth convertible top?
If you have noticed that there is a hole in your vinyl convertible top, you can patch it fairly easy with a repair kit and a little knowhow. Here is an easy guide to fixing a hole in a vinyl convertible top. The first step in the process of repairing your vinyl convertible top is closely inspecting the damage.
Can a soft top be repaired?
Stormsure Flexible Repair Adhesive is one of the few products that can repair rips, holes, and worn areas on all types of cabriolet/soft top roof. Repairs are waterproof, flexible and resistant to abrasion (movement and weather abrasion). TUFF Tape is a transparent non-rip tape that is both waterproof and durable.
Can I sew my convertible top?
Small tears, less than 12 inches in length, can easily be replaced by sewing the wound with a needle and upholstery thread, just like you would a piece of clothing. Anything longer will take a bit more work on your part.
How do you fix a small hole in a convertible top?
2:0116:54Vinyl Convertible Top Repair Kit Does It Work?? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat has been ripping. For oh it's been like this for like four years possibly more i've tried a fewMoreThat has been ripping. For oh it's been like this for like four years possibly more i've tried a few things obviously there's some gorilla tape in here it's like that thick duct tape.
Does Flex tape work on convertible tops?
0:000:39Fixing a Leaky Convertible Top | Flex Seal® Reviews - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt. Worked great Lexia. Was really easy to use all you have to do is spray it on and just wait forMoreIt. Worked great Lexia. Was really easy to use all you have to do is spray it on and just wait for it to dry and never have a problem again.
How do you fix a tear in a soft top?
0:003:13Car Soft Top / Convertible Roof Repair (also Awnings Canopies and Tents)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe cuts are about 3 inches long and first thing to do is just to tidy them up and remove any frayedMoreThe cuts are about 3 inches long and first thing to do is just to tidy them up and remove any frayed bits of material. And then make sure they're completely flat on a surface.
How do you seal a convertible top?
1:293:20Convertible Leaks: 2 ways to Fix and Prevent! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can blast a little bit of compressed air into the drain holes as well but be gentle. So you don'MoreYou can blast a little bit of compressed air into the drain holes as well but be gentle. So you don't damage or dislodge the rubber tubes. This is fairly simple and should only take a few minutes.
How are convertible tops made?
Most cloth (canvas) convertible tops are made using three plies: an acrylic square-weave outer layer, a butyl rubber inner material and a cotton drill lining layer. These tops are available in a range of colors, such as several shades of blue, several shades of white, black, beige, tan, gray, green, brown and burgundy.
How do you fix a soft top on a Miata?
0:176:04NC Mx5 miata soft top repair with vinyl adhesive and sewing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut what I wanted to show you is this piece right here so this one it's a lot thicker of an openingMoreBut what I wanted to show you is this piece right here so this one it's a lot thicker of an opening whereas this one's a little smaller so for this one I'll probably still just use the repair.
How much does it cost to fix a convertible top?
The Estimated Price For Replacing A Convertible Top Runs From $900 To $1500One replacement top (including pop rivets, staples, hold-down cables, and adhesive)A strip of windshield sealer (for those who own a vehicle with glass windows with rubber trim)Silicone spray.
How do you use Stormsure adhesive?
Apply a generous amount of Stormsure Flexible Repair Adhesive to the damaged area, with at least a 5mm extra around the damaged area. Leave horizontal and allow to cure for 10-12 hours. TIPS: Store partly-used tubes in a deep freezer. Warm up to room temperature before use again.
How do you refurbish a convertible top?
0:223:11How to Restore a Convertible Roof - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first step in the process is to clean the roof thoroughly. Take the fabric cleaner. And spotterMoreThe first step in the process is to clean the roof thoroughly. Take the fabric cleaner. And spotter and soak the area then agitate the material with the Tampico brush and allow to dwell for 10.
What happens when you take the top off a convertible?
When you take the top off the frame and start handling it for a repair, you push those limits. One of the most common things that we hear from convertible owners is that when they take their old top off the vehicle, they see that it was in much worse shape than they realized.
What does it mean when a convertible top is taut?
Years of moving the convertible top up and down, making the top taut then loose, changing temperatures from hot to cold, in wet and dry conditions means your convertible top material has been put through extreme contrasts. Quality convertible tops have material that is made to hold up to that stress, but it has limits.
Do you need to use a patch to seal a tear?
So you’ll need to use something to seal your tear and hold the patch and that’s why people use stitching. Stitching, of course, presents issues with waterproofing, so any stitches done will need to be sealed, so you don’t get water through the repair. If you need to use a patch, you’re going to need to remove the top from ...
Can you tear a convertible top?
Also, it’s very common to tear the top when you try to get the glued sleeve off -- after all, it’s glued. When you carefully remove the glued sleeves, you will still be dealing with the fact that convertible topping material can lose its integrity when it’s being handled beyond its normal routine.
Can you use duct tape on a convertible top?
First things first, there are no conventional adhesives which will hold patches on vinyl or clothing convertible top materials. So that’s one of the reasons you see convertible tops with duct tape instead of patches -- there just isn’t an adhesive that does the job well. So you’ll need to use something to seal your tear and hold ...
How to repair a convertible top?
Step 1 - Sew it Up. Take a strongly curved needle and either some strong thread or fine wire. Use the needle to stitch up the damage to the convertible top. This will be time-consuming, so have patience and make sure you sew up a tear properly.
How to repair a tear in a car?
Cut a replacement piece of marine canvas, which will be large enough to cover the tear with an excess of 1 to 2 inches. Mirror the shape of the tear as closely as you can. Mark out the shape precisely and cut it with a sharp pair of scissors. Wait until the glue you have already used is dry and remove the tape on the interior of the car and start to sew the replacement patch over the tear. You can sew the patch on the outside of the tear if the canvas you are using is the same type and color. You can also dye the patch if you want it to go on the outside. This will make the tear less noticeable.
Why is it important to put glue on a tear?
This is important because it will hold the tear together and it will stop any glue from leaking through to the interior. It will stop the thread or wire from breaking while you prepare a replacement patch. Once you have done this, take a heavy duty and strong glue.
How to repair a convertible top?
How to Repair your Convertible Top. If you own a convertible car, at some point or other you will most likely have to repair tears in your convertible top. Small tears that are less than twelve inches in length can be easily fixed by sewing them with an upholstery needle and upholstery thread, just as you would repair a damaged piece of clothing. ...
How to make a canvas waterproof?
After the patch is sewn in place, you can use a seam sealer to seal around the edges of the canvas and the stitches. This will make your patch waterproof. Now remove the tape and sew the inside of the canvas.
How long does it take to sew canvas?
Sewing canvas is an extremely long process and it could take you several hours, depending on how long the tear is. Make sure that you keep the stiches as straight and tight as possible, keeping them about ¼ inch away from the tear while sewing.
How to keep a convertible car top in good shape?
You can browse online to find the best maintenance tips for keeping the convertible car top in the best shape. 1. Sew it Up. In case the top of the convertible has some damage, you can take a strongly curved needle and a strong thread or wire. Use the two to cover up the damage on the convertible top.
What is a cloth convertible top?
Most cloth (canvas) convertible tops are made using three plies: an acrylic square-weave outer layer, a butyl rubber inner material and a cotton drill lining layer. There are many available colors for cloth convertible rooftop for instance: blue, white, black, beige, tan, gray, green, brown and burgundy.
Why do people use vinyl convertible tops?
Vinyl has been used for car tops since the earliest days cars had tops. It was used to mimic the leather often used on horse buggies and was found to be easier to maintain yet still quite durable. Vinyl convertible tops are easier to clean than the cloth alternative, which is one main reason that drivers choose them.
How to repair a tear in a car?
Make sure to mark the shape precisely and cut the same using a pair of sharp scissors. Cut a piece of marine canvas to cover the tear, but make sure to cut at least 1 to 2 inches extra. Now, wait until the glue is dry and then remove the tape on the interior of the car. Sew the replacement patch to cover the tear.
What materials are convertible roofs made of?
You may wonder what convertible rooftop is made of? So basically, there are two materials which car makers used to make convertible tops. They are vinyl and fabric. 1.
What was the first top made of?
Gradually, the car became more powerful, and innovative. They started to give a rooftop for the cars. The first tops were generally made from leather or fabric such as canvas….
How to keep moisture from soaking in car?
You can apply a layer around the stitching or place small beads of glue in between the thread or wire. It will keep the moisture from the air or rain from soaking into the patch and inside the car. We recommend you apply a reasonable amount and cover any glue. 5. Clean Up.
How to cover a hole in a convertible top?
Cut the canvas into a circular or oval shape large enough to cover the hole. On the interior of the convertible top, place your patch over the hole and lightly draw an outline just smaller than the patch, indicating where it will later be adhered.
How long to put a patch on a convertible?
Let the patch and convertible top set for about 10 minutes until completely dry.
Step 1 - Sew It Up
Step 2 - Tape and Glue
- Get inside the car and use some masking tape to hide the bottom of the tear. This is important because it will hold the tear together and it will stop any glue from leaking through to the interior. It will stop the thread or wire from breaking while you prepare a replacement patch. Once you have done this, take a heavy duty and strong glue. Apply it all over the seam you have created o…
Step 3 - Cut Canvas
- Cut a replacement piece of marine canvas, which will be large enough to cover the tear with an excess of 1 to 2 inches. Mirror the shape of the tear as closely as you can. Mark out the shape precisely and cut it with a sharp pair of scissors. Wait until the glue you have already used is dry and remove the tape on the interior of the car and start to sew the replacement patch over the te…
Step 4 - Seal
- Once you have sewn the replacement patch of canvas onto one side of the tear, seal the stitching holes with the same glue you used earlier. Either apply a layer all the way around the stitching or place small beads of glue in between the thread or wire. This will stop moisture from the air or rain from soaking into the replacement patch and inside the car. Apply generous amounts and s…
Step 5 - Tidy
- Tidy your handy work by checking for ragged fibers. Use the scissors you used to cut the canvas to cut away any excess material. Use your hands to gently check that the replacement patch has been attached tightly to the existing canvas. Your repair to the convertible top is complete.