I've noticed a shiny spot above where the top latches. I'm assuming its rubbing against the latches when the top folds down? Has anyone worked up a fix for this? I seem to remember hearing it before but its been a while and the search isn't giving me the thread I need.

 

hmmm interesting

i too have noticed when hatching the top it appears more 'stressed'

i don't hatch my top when it's in winter storage and may start 'not hatching' when parked

 

Here's my opinion.

Fabric glue comes in several different curing times. Use the longest cure when doing large backings, it has more flex. It's usually a 24 hour total cure.

Put your patches on like you use contact cement. Tack it then stick it. Sunbrella black fabric is very flexible, extremely strong and matches your exterior top perfectly. If you have a small hole all the way thru and wish to try a patch, put the patch on the inside without the top stretched. After it cures and drys, put the top all the way up and look at the hole. You'll notice it opens a little and you can see the patch below. Take some Sunbrella and match the weave direction, then cut a small piece to perfectly fit the slit. Make it as close as you can without overlapping. Us a faster drying vinyl/leather adhesive here if you like, there are some out there that cure in 45 min. After you have matched the piece to the hole, put vinyl cement into the hole and in between the bottom patch and the top and tack it. Fit in the patch very carefully, making sure not to overlap. Let it sit and dry. IF you have threads sticking up afterward, shave them off. I haven't tried this in really cold weather but it works great here. Most fabric/vinyl glues have a wide temp and flexibility range.

It will be interesting to see how his patch holds, that's a combination of two very different materials with different stretch rates under temperature extremes.


fltsfshr

 

subscribed.

 

I went looking for some of the Sunbrella fabric today. Where did you get yours?

 

Dean I got mine from a local upholsterer that did a sail cover for my yacht.

Here's a website that lets you order swatches You won't need much Sunbrella.. I think JoAnn fabric carries it as well.

If not check Sunbrella.com for a dealer. It's lighter than the top fabric so it flexes every well.

fltsfshr

 

Thanks much. I tried JoAnn's and a few other places around here today without any luck. I think I'll order it online. I assume that I want the marine grade stuff?
And what brand of fabric glue did you use? I wasn't all that impressed with the stuff at JoAnn's.

 

I have tried the same thing as the OP, and it works pretty well so far. From the outside, the top doesn't look any different. Maybe if you inspect it really closely and have 2 S2000s, one with and one without the mod, you can tell, but otherwise, no.

Also, about it causing extra stress on the vinyl...well, that's not really the issue. The reason for the holes forming is wear, not stress, and the extra bit of stress seems insignificant.

One thing though, I did make the strips longer than the OPs 7 3/4". Perhaps even a couple inches longer. When I originally tried the 7 3/4" strips, they tended to deform when the top was down for a while. This deformation resulted in them becoming shorter, and they slip out from behind the back rib.

 

'gonna have to give this a try as well

 

I just use black hockey tape (the stuff used on the sticks)...few layers seems to do the trick. If it wears down its pretty easy to peel and reapply.