hello forum, my convertible top has some wear on both sides.... i guess from the top going up and down... is the anythiny i can do to reinforce the sides or add extra material some how so later on i don't wind up with a tear or a hole.

 

Hi Tony


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Can I suggest you post a few pics of the problem and then the guys may be able to comment.

 

My top is rubbing on the left side rear quarter panel. The ribbing catches sometimes and bends itself back. This has caused some fraying (minor so far) at that point. I have tried "bending" the frame to give it some room. I do not recommend this approach.

I have also used Gorilla tape to slow down the wear, but the only thing that really works is holding back it with my hand when it reaches that spot.

The forum team mostly drew a blank on my issue. I did talk to a marine supply person, but he only had solutions for repairs. I am not prepared to put a patch on my otherwise nice top. The convertible specialists I spoke with wanted big $$ to dismantle and reassemble the top.

I continue to use my hand for now when I put it back up. If you find a solution, please post it.

 

I recently replaced my top which was 10 years old and it had similar wear, as well as overall stitching that looked bad but was not coming apart, and overall it just had a faded and worn look. Replacement top plus install was $1250. I think there is little if anything that can be done to prevent it, except leave it up all the time.

 

Well, since none of the resident experts (I am not being facetious, there are several true experts on this forum) were able to give you any advice I'll toss this in. I have one little spot with what I would call a little rubbed look and is hardly noticeable and it has not gotten any worse over my five years of ownership, so I haven't really addressed it. I suggest that you apply one of products that protects the top and you can find some links about those in this forum. Secondly, you could find some sort of tape that you could put over those areas before you put the top down that would absorb and prevent the rubbing that is damaging that area, if that is what is causing the problem. Of course, you may have to experiment with some different sorts of tape to find one that does the job ,but does not leave the surface sticky and hard to remove the tape remnants. There is a product called Goo Gone that does a great job of removing sticky things from surfaces.

 

I have seen some "fuzzy" tape on ebay - from S. Korea, used to eliminate rattles and rubbings on panels and windows - it looks quite soft, perhaps a few pieces on the hard bits would ease the stress.

 

will do thanks jag#4

 

will look for goo gone thanks

 

Many years ago my son had an MG Midget with a worn & torn black top. We used liquid tape to patch it up until we could put a new top on. On a tan top maybe a vinyl repair kit could match your color.