Well, finally got it done last weekend and it turned out well. The sunbrella is nice and durable, and seems like a good material to repair the top with imo, better than some other fabrics I came across that local stores had in stock. I just applied a patch on the inside to reinforce some wear spots (didn't have a hole yet).

FWIW, I just bought regular old fabric glue from joann fabric, and cut a small piece of sunbrella fabric, glued it on w/ the top unlatched for >24 hrs (from the inside), and it looks perfect. You can't notice it on the outside, but it provides another layer of support on the inside. I'll post the picture later today or this weekend.

 

When you guys released tension on the top, did you only unlock the latches or did you bring the top down about a foot or so before applying the patch?

 

had the same problem and took it to a convertible man and he patch it on the inside and glue on the out side and it worked really well.