Patch materials for roof repair?

Mr Starlet · Postby **Mr Starlet** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:43 am

Hi Everyone

Sadly I haven't got the cash at the moment to replace to a brand spanking new roof so I'm looking for cheap patchup options...besides I only need a roof when it rains, and that doesn't happen all that often these days.

I bought the car with patches of tape already on there, no tare just 20cent holes most likely from a hail storm. A mate at work suggest Race Tape, which is what I got on there already (i think), anyone know of other ways or products that works well? mine's a black roof so similar colour is prefer but I don't mind if it works really really well.

Cheers
Minh (Mr Starlet)

kitkat · Postby **kitkat** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:49 am

what about some vinyl patches? and glue them on the inside of the roof...

You should find some Vinyl at spotlight / lincraft or similar.

Postby **Boyracer** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:52 am

I have used sail repair tape,as in Sailing boat...

miata · Postby **miata** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:06 am

Visit a Motor (Auto?) Trimmer, they should be able to patch it, just as they do upholstery.

Mr Starlet · Postby **Mr Starlet** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:50 am

Awesome, heaps of options here...

* anyone tried what miata suggested?...who would you recommend and what would you expect to pay?

* Boyracer do you know where I could get some of those sail repair tape?...this could work pretty well

* kitkat - some vinyl could work well, what glue to used though, one that has to handle prolong temperature and movement...what's the stuff they use to glue part of the roof fabric together?

How about if I try one of each and see how they go side-by-side, it'll be a good experiment.

Thanks everyone you guys/gal are an awesone bunch.

Cheers
Minh

Benny · Postby **Benny** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:04 pm

You can also try Clarke Rubber.
I think they have a black vinyl which is very similar to the one used by Mazda, and they also have the right glue which is also used for patching up blow-up boats etc.

Any good quality contact adhesive should work well, but I'm not so keen on epoxy as it is a bit stiff and can go brittle with age.
Make sure you clean the surfaces you are going to glue really well and use some prepsol or metho to get rid of any oils that may be on the material, then glue both sides, wait for 5 minutes or so, then put them together. If the glue has gone a bit dry in the mean time, use a hairdryer to warm it up and it will stick like the proverbial to a blanket.

vak82 · Postby **vak82** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:23 pm

eh... leave the top down and if it rains, drive faster

Mr Starlet · Postby **Mr Starlet** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:24 pm

Benny wrote:You can also try Clarke Rubber.
I think they have a black vinyl which is very similar to the one used by Mazda, and they also have the right glue which is also used for patching up blow-up boats etc.

Any good quality contact adhesive should work well, but I'm not so keen on epoxy as it is a bit stiff and can go brittle with age.
Make sure you clean the surfaces you are going to glue really well and use some prepsol or metho to get rid of any oils that may be on the material, then glue both sides, wait for 5 minutes or so, then put them together. If the glue has gone a bit dry in the mean time, use a hairdryer to warm it up and it will stick like the proverbial to a blanket.

Cool, thanks Benny, cleaning the outside is pretty easy but what's with all this brown dusty crap on the inside of the roof, looks like this roof is gonna need replacing soon.

Postby **Okibi** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:47 pm

Benny wrote:You can also try Clarke Rubber.
I think they have a black vinyl which is very similar to the one used by Mazda, and they also have the right glue...

That's what I used :mrgreen: