Help! what should I do from here? Soft Top
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,370
Likes: 437
From: um, a house
Originally Posted by darcyw' timestamp='1434601119' post='23652022
black silicone adhesive from parts source/canadian tire.
old OEM top material cut with rounded corners.
clean inner surface of top with rubbing alcohol in the area you will apply the patch material. Clean patch with rubbing alcohol.
squeeze black silicone onto patch's material side and spread all over the patch (not the vinyl side). lay a towel all over the interior cause if you drop the patch, you'll make a mess of the interior.
press firmly into place.
leave top latched for 24 hours to cure the adhesive.
these patches have lasted over 4 years for me but your mileage may vary.
darcy
old OEM top material cut with rounded corners.
clean inner surface of top with rubbing alcohol in the area you will apply the patch material. Clean patch with rubbing alcohol.
squeeze black silicone onto patch's material side and spread all over the patch (not the vinyl side). lay a towel all over the interior cause if you drop the patch, you'll make a mess of the interior.
press firmly into place.
leave top latched for 24 hours to cure the adhesive.
these patches have lasted over 4 years for me but your mileage may vary.
darcy
how liberal were you with the silicone? light film?
Even better if you can reach it from the top side as well to provide something to push against. But, you don't have to push hard. just gentle pressure is needed and it will stay in position no worries.
darcy
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,370
Likes: 437
From: um, a house
darcy
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Originally Posted by kryptonite' timestamp='1435101781' post='23658108
[quote name='teggboi' timestamp='1435086088' post='23657774']
Go get some soft top fabric from Honda for $50. Google the part number for it. If not, you can go buy some nice vinyl/rubber bag at canadian tire for a bit over $10 and cut out the bag for a nice size patch. Clean the inside nicely, scruff it up a little and use loctite vinyl glue with vinyl facing vinyl, the rubber side of the patch rubs against the bars. Don't lower the top for a few days to let it cure.
Go get some soft top fabric from Honda for $50. Google the part number for it. If not, you can go buy some nice vinyl/rubber bag at canadian tire for a bit over $10 and cut out the bag for a nice size patch. Clean the inside nicely, scruff it up a little and use loctite vinyl glue with vinyl facing vinyl, the rubber side of the patch rubs against the bars. Don't lower the top for a few days to let it cure.
There are a bunch of people who sell patches on the site. Wouldn't bother with going to Honda.[/quote]
I couldn't find any at the time I noticed mine just starting to fray.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 10,599
Likes: 79
From: The 604
I've tried many repairs and hacks:
Exterior:
- sewed the tear and sealed with vinyl repair kit from Walmart, still holding after 4-5 years but patch is starting to harden and chip off
- the patch fades in color with UV so I have touched up the 'blackness' with paint
- apply 303 aerospace and top looks like new again for about a week
- bought and sold hardtop, what a waste of time making the hoist for so little time I use hardtop
Interior:
- gorilla tape, comes off with heat and top folding after a couple of weeks
- iron-on patches, peels off after a couple of months
- rubber cement with patches, patch comes off, goo still there
- plastidip does not work to cover tears but covers the rubber cement goo well
- 3m strength foam adhesive pads, peels off with top folding
Anyway, time to replace the softtop next year but since my car is not a show car, doesn't really bother me unless I get a big leak
Exterior:
- sewed the tear and sealed with vinyl repair kit from Walmart, still holding after 4-5 years but patch is starting to harden and chip off
- the patch fades in color with UV so I have touched up the 'blackness' with paint
- apply 303 aerospace and top looks like new again for about a week
- bought and sold hardtop, what a waste of time making the hoist for so little time I use hardtop
Interior:
- gorilla tape, comes off with heat and top folding after a couple of weeks
- iron-on patches, peels off after a couple of months
- rubber cement with patches, patch comes off, goo still there
- plastidip does not work to cover tears but covers the rubber cement goo well
- 3m strength foam adhesive pads, peels off with top folding
Anyway, time to replace the softtop next year but since my car is not a show car, doesn't really bother me unless I get a big leak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 651
Likes: 5
From: Thornhill
If you really want to know, my top is a mess and still procrastinating about replacing it. I have 4-5 tears all over.
The plastidip only works a few weeks, gorilla tape will melt in hot sun and the iron-on patches curl after a few weeks as well.
I do notice that black silicone sealant/adhesive works well and lasts a couple of years but will eventually harden and crack from opening/closing top so I strip it off and re-seal and/or re-sew as necessary.
I use 303 aerospace regularly so the extra darkness hides the patches a little.
On my list this fall is to replace the top.
The plastidip only works a few weeks, gorilla tape will melt in hot sun and the iron-on patches curl after a few weeks as well.
I do notice that black silicone sealant/adhesive works well and lasts a couple of years but will eventually harden and crack from opening/closing top so I strip it off and re-seal and/or re-sew as necessary.
I use 303 aerospace regularly so the extra darkness hides the patches a little.
On my list this fall is to replace the top.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 9
From: Kamurocho
Not sure if anyone already mentioned it, but if you don't have a hole yet, and just really bad wear on the inside, you can use Stormsure. When that stuff dries it is really strong. I made a square with tape around the affected area, spread on the Stormsure with a credit card, removed the tape and let it dry. It won't rip or tear from that point out.
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