So thieves broke into my car. I was lucky that they only took the shiftknob; but they left a pretty big gap on the top, 9" to be exact. I've decided to repair it till I can afford a new hardtop. With such a big tear, the result may not be the most aesthetically pleasing finish, but for only $40 vs $775 for a new ST, I can keep using my car meanwhile.






What you can use for the job:

1) Duratek Vinyl(found on most upholstery shops).
2) 3M Rubber and Vinyl Spray Adhesive.
3) Poliester bonded black thread(super strong)
4) Needle nose pliers, Scissors and Needles..

1) Carefully stitch together the softtop making sure it doesn't end up overlapped.
The best way to accomplish this is to close the top almost completely to stretch it just enought so the gap is almost together.


Top stitched


2) Then, cut two pieces of vynil the same size and place one exactly on top of each other inside and outside held with the 3M glue spray. Make sure you apply pressure for at least 5-10 minutes from inside and outside to bond it better.
Again, it may not the prettiest thing, but this thing will tear somewhere else before reopenning here.

 

Nice work.

 

Looks good. Can you post some follow up pics to this thread after 6-12 months?

Next time leave your doors unlocked since they are going to get in anyway.

 

Will do.

May sound stupid, but leaving the doors open might have probably saved all the trouble.

 

As dumb as this sounds a lot of people don't even check the doors...Nice DIY, crappy when people have to ruin a $750 top to get a $60 item...

 

hate to see this but thanks for the write up will be patching my softtop like this don't want to buy a soft top when i have a hard top for the none top down days

 

wow sorry to hear what happen, but nice save!

 

No insurance?

 

Deductible is pretty high now, so instead of having the Ins. premium go even higher, I'd rather do this.

 

that sucks! Nice job though!