Good morning mates,

After going to the gym yesterday, I was walking by the s2000 and noticed an area of the soft top that looked "loose" or more "stressed" than the surrounding areas. Upon feeling the exterior area, the material felt thin.

I took a look inside, and of course this area is at the known trouble spot of the soft top. While there is no rip in the exterior (see picture),there is a rip forming on the left inside(see picture). I was planning on doing preventive maintenance anyway, so this just expedites the process.

Left Exterior: As you can see, there is no rips on the outside (yet )


Left Interior: Rips forming on the inside




Right Interior: Right side has no rips, but you can see that it has been worn down.


Now to the repairing process. I ordered the Modifry straps. I also have spent a good amount of time browsing the forums in order to get the best possible material/adhesive for repairing this area for strength/longevity.

For the material: Sunbrella or Marine Vinyl seems to be the best choice for the patch material.
For the adhesive: E6000 or PVC pipe adhesive (supposedly gets stronger with heat) seems to be the best for strength/durability.
There also seems to be a consensus on cleaning the area before applying the adhesive. What should I use for this?
Also, should I sandpaper the bars? (Its a 2004 model, so I'm not sure if it is needed)

Not sure if it matters, but I live in the Maryland area so the top goes up and down quite frequently and the temperature ranges.

What is everyone thoughts/opinions/recommendations for this? I am looking to do this fix by tomorrow so I want to get the materials tonight.

Thanks s2ki nation!
Nick

 

I STILL think we need a "Soft tops and hard tops" sub-forum.

 

After reading over 12 "soft top rip" forum boards, I can imagine it would be useful. If this isn't the correct spot to post, I apologize in advance. Wanted as much exposure as possible and didn't seem to fit the other categories.

 

I spot clean the surface dawn dish soap and water- spot rinse- dry- then clean with rubbing alcohol of both the top and the patch to remove oils.

'03 OEM top has not needed burr removal.

My patches have held up for 4 years. not a daily driver.

darcy

 

I was terrified with I noted these cars had this problem and I put a double thickness of patching material over that spot inside my '06 roof last summer. Made the patch large enough that the bar(s) don't rub past the edge and start to peel the patch from the roof. If I find the material I'll let ya know as it's been fine for over a year. Small patch covered by a larger one so both patches adhere to the roof fabric and not just to each other.

This is a summer car but on the many nice days I bring it to work with the roof down the roof goes up in the company parking lot, down at lunch, back up at the lunch site, then back down to drive back to work, then back up when there. Down, of course, for the drive home! I just lost count but that's half a dozen cycles every day.

Smoothing the roof mechanism where it rubs on the fabric is paramount. Little spur/flash on mine drew a line on the inside of the roof matching the tears we see on several roofs. Good sanding removed it. Some guys have padded this area but the roof fabric reinforcement has no marks on it after a year.

-- Chuck

 

I would recommend feeling the bar ends on any S2000 to see if they need filing. In about 15 seconds, you will know the answer. If they feel jagged or like razor blades, or both, you have your answer. Actually do be careful - if they are sharp you could actually cut yourself!

When I bought my S2K in 2009 from a Honda dealer, there was a small 1/2" tear in the top in one the spots affected by the bars. They sent it to an upholstery shop that patched it from the inside with matching material. Very hard to see the patch or the where the tear was. I fixed the bars myself and everything has been fine for the last 6 years. Car is not a dd though. At this point in my life, I wouldn't bother going to the hassle of patching it myself - I would just take it to a good shop and have it done for me.

Here is what you are after.

 

I suggest using Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) to prepare the surface for whatever patch you wind up using.

It is sold in every state but California. I have a gallon of it (use it for all kinds of stuff and buy it in Reno now) Great stuff. Be sure to read the label and believe the directions and cautions.

 

Chuck, what adhesive did you use? Also let me know if you find the material or have any pictures of your patch!

I will feel for burs today. Not really sure where all to feel. I felt the one bar corner (where the tear is) yesterday, and it felt smooth. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong location though based on that image for bur removal.

I will pick up some MEK for cleaning. Thanks!

 

2Kaputnik,
Thanks for the pictures...they really help isolate the area to be sanded/filed.

 

+1 Thanks a lot! When I redo my top, I'm going to file down/prep all of the problematic areas before installing a new canvas. I think this should be sticky'ed because this will help extend the life of any new canvas being put on instead of running into the same issue every 2 to 5 years (depending on use).