We all know that the top wears out because of that bar sliding across the fabric with a lot of tension, and also the latches rub on the top when it's folded down. My top is still in pretty good shape so I wanted to keep it that way, this is what I came up with after reading around and experimenting with stuff.

For the bar wear area I just used some black Gorilla tape, and I also got some automotive grease and put a very light film of it on top of the tape. It glides very smoothly and doesn't bind.




I need to trim the tape on this side because I screwed it up a little.





For the latch area I used some of that double sided foam tape stuff my dad used to put his cap on his truck. It's very thick and spongy.





I pulled the white film off the tape and it blends in very well.






Lmk what you guys think, I'd like to hear your opinions and other ideas.

 

for the idea but the tape looks super tacky to me. why not put like a black vinyl and some 3m adhesive to hold it up?

 

I read up that adding extra material in thinkness can actually make it worse over time because the top has to stretch even more to accommodate the extra material. I'm not really worried about the way to looks to be honest since I drive with the top down as much as I can and only have it up when I park.

 

How's the life on your elastic straps? I thought I was going to have to get a new top until I bought the straps from modifry's.

 

The straps aren't really in the best shape either, they're stretched out quite a lot.

 

Good idea to put that piece where the latches are, I think Ill do that too. Or something similar to it.

 

What a timely post. I just started noticing some wear and a possible hole starting up because of the latch on my driver side. I'll have to give this a try.

Just wondering, why not just use Gorilla tape for the latches as well? Does the slight thickness of the foam make a difference?

 

I peeled off the white film and now it looks like this; I might cut a new piece that will go all the way to the front, rather than just a little chunk.



As for not putting the Gorilla tape there too, no reason really, I just has this idea floating around in my mind all day at work and decided to try it out.

 

well then quit jerry-rigging it and go buy some modifry straps...they will fix all your problems!

http://modifry.com/products/ctf/index.htm

 

Ok, but will the straps solve the issue where the bar rubs on the fabric and wears it out?