Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Body, Paint, Interior and Trim questions and answers

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jdimitri
Driver
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Vehicle: NA6
Location: VIC

Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Postby jdimitri » Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:17 am

I'm picking up an NB8A tomorrow, the only issue with it is this small tear on the soft top:
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/beckylou ... id=3003699

What's the best (easiest) way to fix it or should I go somewhere and get it done.
Or is it not worth fixing at all?

Also, I'm driving the car back from QLD to VIC, will gaffa tape suffice as a temporary solution to make sure it doesn't get bigger or leaks?

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Old Dude
Racing Driver
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Re: Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Postby Old Dude » Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:44 am

The Leather doctor/Vinyl doctor can probably do a permanent repair, I had a small hole and placed a piece of Boat canopy material from a trimmers jsut got an off cut and Put it on the inside with contact cement.
Check out the link it has some photo's of the repair
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=38628

Cheers
Dale 8)
"Everybody dies......, but not everybody lives" ;-)

MX 5 2001 Grace Green
NB8B

Mr Morlock
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Re: Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Postby Mr Morlock » Tue Sep 28, 2010 1:48 pm

fix it yourself- an offcut of vinyl glued on- try Clark Rubber .Patches look a bit tacky. An adhesive tape will not last long. Many MX5 drivers only put the top up when it pours ie it is a sports car. A new top - $800?

93_Clubman
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Re: Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Postby 93_Clubman » Tue Sep 28, 2010 5:19 pm

Can't tell if it's cut right through from pics, but unless you get a ultra sticky tape it's difficult to make it stick to inside or outside. As OD & MrM suggest sticking a vinyl patch on inside is best - may be you could do a temp one to drive home if it's cut right through.

rogerbid

Re: Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Postby rogerbid » Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:42 pm

Hi,

I had a small (1 inch) cut repaired by someone who came to the house some 18 months ago and have been very pleased. Let me know if you need the phone number of the guy who did it.

Enjoy your drive back from Qld, I am envious!

Roger

jaanh
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Location: North Shore Sydney

Re: Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Postby jaanh » Fri Oct 01, 2010 10:14 pm

Hi Guys,
I have a similar problem and I am looking for a decent vinyl repairer in Sydney. Does anyone know someone decent in Sydney?

fat20v
Learner Driver
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:03 pm

Re: Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Postby fat20v » Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:56 am

sorry to bring this post again...

Where can I buy boat canopy material or a vinyl repairer in Sydney???

fat20v
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Re: Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Postby fat20v » Tue Nov 09, 2010 12:40 pm

nobody in Sydney????

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Old Dude
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Re: Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Postby Old Dude » Tue Nov 09, 2010 1:46 pm

You can buy boat canopy material from, Whitworths, but in all honesty if you go to a motor trimmer or better still a boat canopy manufacturer( boat trimmer)(Canopies) they will more than likely give you an offcut, or charge you a dollar or two. Also for Vinyl repair try "The leather doctor" there a mobile service and will come to you.
Cheers
Dale 8)
"Everybody dies......, but not everybody lives" ;-)

MX 5 2001 Grace Green
NB8B

fat20v
Learner Driver
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:03 pm

Re: Best way to fix a small tear in the soft top?

Postby fat20v » Tue Nov 09, 2010 3:42 pm

sweet... thx


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