Zimbabwe

2004, this is the original top. Garaged in the winter, I keep a weather cover on it all summer when not driving it. Just noticed these over the weekend.

Looks like the sun just baked it out.

If anyone has had a similar experience, how fast is this going to progress, and do I let the dealer replace the top, or an after-market top installer? Can't self perform this, so

any help/advice would be appreciated.

Would using one of those fabric treatments have prevented this?

cosmomiller

Likely. However, the OEM top is not really fabric but vinyl processed to mimic fabric. The top manufactures recommend only one brand of treatment that I am aware of: RaggTopp. RT has products for either cloth or vinyl.
I use it on my 09 and to be sure it is not as old as yours but it does look brand new and feels pliable.

Zimbabwe

Thank you.

Found a local guy that installs them. Hoping I can nurse/patch this one for a season or two so I can replace it. Will treat the new one.

Mr. Slowly

If you can keep yourself from lowering the top, the tearing will stop. My dealer recommended an independent shop for replacing my top. I say hop in the regional forum and see where other people near you are going. To prevent the tearing, you have to sand/file down the arms that rub that spot. They're pretty easy to find from the inside with the top up, and I can confirm the edges are quite sharp on my arms. I don't think top treatment would do anything other than keep your top from looking brown and ratty.

2Kaputnik

Yes your top desperately needs Ragtop or 303 Aerospace protectant, but that will not prevent this tearing issue. Should be patchable from the inside.

Those tears are likely caused by the issue mentioned above by Mr. Slowly. If you search around the forums here, there is extensive discussion on the problem & fix (it's quite easy), as well as photos from the Honda TSB addressing this. The bar ends in my 06 were like jagged razors when the car was new. Fixed it right away and have had no problems since.

Not Sure

My top lasted about 2 years from the time the first hole appeared until I replaced it. I patched the holes and made sure nothing was rubbing, but once it starts it's irreversible. The hole kept getting larger and more appeared on the other side. I was raising and lowering the top several times a day.

Zimbabwe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvKJCCAE_as

Found this, this is exactly where my top failed.

steven975

The top is fairly easy to replace. I think any halfway decent shop is going to charge you $1500 in labor to do it, though. I have a DIY pinned in the UTH forum...

OEM Top replacement

lheonrd

You can use Tear-Aid for a quick and easy fix.

s2ka

Actually the OEM top is fabric, but it's coated on the outside with a layer of vinyl for protection from the elements.