Mx5 hardtop 'seal'

cherrymx5 · Postby **cherrymx5** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 3:02 pm

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cherrymx5 · Postby **cherrymx5** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 3:03 pm

Last coat of araldite applied should be stronger than anything now.. Just doesn't look perfect.. Although it will only be used 5% of the time, glad to save on price of a soft top

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hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 3:08 pm

re: the hardtop "silicone"

it shouldn't have anything there, it's just a rubber seal normally. But as you said, previous owners can do anything.

Regarding the removal of it, i'd steer clear of just yanking it hard, you may just tear the normal rubber seal (which is also used for the soft top)

I'd suggest lightly pulling the hardtop back (basically unclip the chrome rear feet) and with the front seal under tension rubbing at the silicone with a cloth sprayed with WD40 or similar. The WD should hopefully start to break the bold the silicone has and release it.

If not, you may need to very carefully run a blade along the silicone to split it (but not the rubber seal), then spend some time trying to clean off the remaining bits.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 3:11 pm

Also how will the araldite go?

I seem to recall it cures into a hard resin, won't it just break the moment the vinyl tries to flex around it? (unless they do flexible araldite these days)

If not, see how it goes, but maybe next time try some rubber cement, or even sikaflex (it's also black, so wont stand out)
ideally have a chat with a motor trimmer, boat trimmer, etc and ask if they can recommend an adhesive for vinyl.

cherrymx5 · Postby **cherrymx5** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 6:38 pm

The araldite does go hard, hopefully it won't break.. I think the vinyl would go first. Although if when it flexes it doesn't stay I will try the rubber cement.
I personally just love araldite. It is amazing and usually works for everything

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cherrymx5 · Postby **cherrymx5** » Tue Mar 29, 2016 6:40 pm

Also I think using the blade to break the seal is the best idea, thanks for that.. Just can't wait to get the car here and start to put everything together

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hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 8:38 am

i'd still try the WD40 first.

The blade will 100% work, but will mean a lot of time cleaning off the remining silicone gunk.

If the WD40 breaks the bond without cutting, you'll have a lot less silicone stuck to remove (if any)

cherrymx5 · Postby **cherrymx5** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 5:05 pm

Well worth a crack then, cheers

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cherrymx5 · Postby **cherrymx5** » Sun Apr 10, 2016 12:25 pm

Got it off, it was held on with some card too! He just tried to make it solid and not vibrate I guess

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SE · Postby SE » Sun Apr 10, 2016 1:06 pm

cherrymx5 wrote:I mean is there a good sealant for the soft to make the water bead.

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SE · Postby SE » Sun Apr 10, 2016 1:11 pm

cherrymx5 wrote:The araldite does go hard, hopefully it won't break.. I think the vinyl would go first. Although if when it flexes it doesn't stay I will try the rubber cement.
I personally just love araldite. It is amazing and usually works for everything

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Araldite will fail you need

https://www.waves.com.au/shop-by-brands ... esive.html