Quick Fix - Small Tear in Top
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Quick Fix - Small Tear in Top
Here's the deal. I have a long term repair plan for fixing a small less than 1" tear in my top... I just haven't found time to do it yet. But I'm supposed to visit my friend in Pittsburgh this weekend and I really want to bring the S2000 instead of the Civic. The first reason is because he hasn't seen it yet, and the second is it's just a much more enjoyable car to drive. My only problem is they are calling for possible rain this weekend, so I need to be prepared.
Can I just use duct tape as a temp solution for the weekend? Assuming I keep an eye on it of course.
Can I just use duct tape as a temp solution for the weekend? Assuming I keep an eye on it of course.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Bonita Springs Florida
Hey Bro,
I'm giving you a long answer, but the fix is listed in it.
I just went through a similar issue. I have a 2005 berlina black and my top now has a small tear in the right rear. I found out after doing some searching that this is actually a defect because there are sharp areas on the top frame that rub the top when it goes down and actually tears it from the inside. Honda issued an OK for warranty work some time back, but I discovered mine past warranty and my local dealer told me SOL.
I found thehardtopguy.com carries a replacement soft top for about $850.00 I've never installed one, but I have a friend who works on high end boats and does alot of crazy stuff with convertibles on yachts, so we are going to look and see if this could be a DIY between the 2 of us.
*** Your Temp fix Below ***
I patched mine just this past week and I will explain how I did it and what I used. I patched mine from the inside to try to keep the visible damage to a minimum. My tear was approx 1.25 inches long and on the curve between the 2 brace bars where there is some tension applied (above the passenger's right shoulder). This made for a pretty difficult fix, and requires 2 people.
1 - Note that our tops are made of vinyl, but the inside has a thin fabric lining. If you are going to mend from the inside like I did, then this is important to know for step 2.
2 - Acquire a product called Tear Aid. West Marine and other marine shops carry it, but if you do some googling, you can find other sources. They make 2 kinds - 1 for general use and the other for vinyl. I ended up buying both because I didn't notice the fabric inside of the top. The vinyl version will not stick well enough to the fabric, so you need the general purpose one.
3 - Go to your local hardware store and get some Gorilla Glue super glue. You want the medium viscosity version (consistency of maple syrup). This has a slightly longer drying time and is much easier to work with because it wont drip and bleed as easily.
4 - Follow the general directions for prep, size to cut, and application included with Tear Aid. The stuff is like a really sticky, stretchable tape.
5 - You are going to need 2 hands to apply the Tear Aid from the inside. You will want to stretch it as you apply it so that it actually helps in pulling the tear back together. You will need the second person to press from the outside and help push the tear closed as much as possible. Stretch and apply the tear aid and make sure your press it on very well. I kept rubbing on mine for several minutes to ensure the bond was good.
6 - Get the glue and some toothpicks. Also put a rag or something over the top where you are working as to prevent getting a drip on any other area of the top. Squeeze out a small drop of the glue onto a toothpick. Use the toothpick to apply the glue into the tear from the outside. Repeat as necessary until the tear has been completely glued/filled. If your tear still has a gap after the Tear Aid has been applied, use the glue as a filler for the void. This will prevent water from entering into the car and bleeding through the fabric liner. Do your best not to get any glue on the top surface faces, just the inside edges of the tear. By doing so, your repair will be barely noticeable.
*** DO NOT LOWER YOUR TOP AFTER THE REPAIR ***
If your tear is in a place where one of the cross bars rub as you lower it, then it will most likely pull off the Tear Aid.
I will run down at lunch and snap some quick pictures so you can have a better look.
TJ
I'm giving you a long answer, but the fix is listed in it.
I just went through a similar issue. I have a 2005 berlina black and my top now has a small tear in the right rear. I found out after doing some searching that this is actually a defect because there are sharp areas on the top frame that rub the top when it goes down and actually tears it from the inside. Honda issued an OK for warranty work some time back, but I discovered mine past warranty and my local dealer told me SOL.
I found thehardtopguy.com carries a replacement soft top for about $850.00 I've never installed one, but I have a friend who works on high end boats and does alot of crazy stuff with convertibles on yachts, so we are going to look and see if this could be a DIY between the 2 of us.
*** Your Temp fix Below ***
I patched mine just this past week and I will explain how I did it and what I used. I patched mine from the inside to try to keep the visible damage to a minimum. My tear was approx 1.25 inches long and on the curve between the 2 brace bars where there is some tension applied (above the passenger's right shoulder). This made for a pretty difficult fix, and requires 2 people.
1 - Note that our tops are made of vinyl, but the inside has a thin fabric lining. If you are going to mend from the inside like I did, then this is important to know for step 2.
2 - Acquire a product called Tear Aid. West Marine and other marine shops carry it, but if you do some googling, you can find other sources. They make 2 kinds - 1 for general use and the other for vinyl. I ended up buying both because I didn't notice the fabric inside of the top. The vinyl version will not stick well enough to the fabric, so you need the general purpose one.
3 - Go to your local hardware store and get some Gorilla Glue super glue. You want the medium viscosity version (consistency of maple syrup). This has a slightly longer drying time and is much easier to work with because it wont drip and bleed as easily.
4 - Follow the general directions for prep, size to cut, and application included with Tear Aid. The stuff is like a really sticky, stretchable tape.
5 - You are going to need 2 hands to apply the Tear Aid from the inside. You will want to stretch it as you apply it so that it actually helps in pulling the tear back together. You will need the second person to press from the outside and help push the tear closed as much as possible. Stretch and apply the tear aid and make sure your press it on very well. I kept rubbing on mine for several minutes to ensure the bond was good.
6 - Get the glue and some toothpicks. Also put a rag or something over the top where you are working as to prevent getting a drip on any other area of the top. Squeeze out a small drop of the glue onto a toothpick. Use the toothpick to apply the glue into the tear from the outside. Repeat as necessary until the tear has been completely glued/filled. If your tear still has a gap after the Tear Aid has been applied, use the glue as a filler for the void. This will prevent water from entering into the car and bleeding through the fabric liner. Do your best not to get any glue on the top surface faces, just the inside edges of the tear. By doing so, your repair will be barely noticeable.
*** DO NOT LOWER YOUR TOP AFTER THE REPAIR ***
If your tear is in a place where one of the cross bars rub as you lower it, then it will most likely pull off the Tear Aid.
I will run down at lunch and snap some quick pictures so you can have a better look.
TJ
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