Soft top roof insulation lining - 1998 NB MX-5

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:21 pm

Hi, first I've heard of it, & don't think we've discussed it on here. A hardtop helps with those issues, but then you haven't got the flexibility of puting down the soft-top when you feel like it, especially if away from home.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 8:29 pm

If your soft top is on the way out a headlining is not going to help- it will not be waterproof or especially durable.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 8:56 pm

Sounds like it needs to be stitched on.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:06 pm

Leeana wrote:...Could you please tell me about your experiences or any advice in order to reduce the heat in summer, trapping warmth in winter and blocking a little road noise out so the other person on the phone can hear me when I talk on my bluetooth. Or maybe I might be asking too much and should just sell up?!

Going by your statement, it seems like you have the top up most, if not all of the time? The MX-5 is a very compromising car, so if you are not willing to put up with it's lack of creature comforts as a compromise for it's original intention as a no-nonsense fun car, then it's not the right car for you.

I can see the big benefit in this, but can't imagine it folding properly at all.
I've helped install a couple of roofs (new fabric on old frame) and both times for the first few months the softop sits a good few inches higher when folded down, obviously because of the stiffness etc. The manufacturer of the fabric warns about this and so you expect it.
After about 6 months or so, the top still sits an inch or two higher.

If you do end up giving it a go, you'd want whatever bonding agent to be super-effective because the slightest kink will not allow you to put the top down at all.

To be honest, if it were me I would give this a miss as the lining would have to be millimeter perfect and I am dubious as to the fact there are no photos of the top completely folded down.... in fact, you can see in the fourth photo of what appears to be an NA, the roof just sits there, unsupported, in 3/4 position, which just means that that may be the limit of opening.

Have you looked at any US forums to see if they've done it?

Yeah.... the more I think about it, the more I believe this won't work and you'll have a non-opening softop.

Earlybird · Postby **Earlybird** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 6:33 pm

Leeana wrote:Hi everyone,

I was searching through ebay for a new roof as I have a couple of minor tears in mine and soon needs replacing but I came across this:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MX-5-Miata-s ... 3ccde1a524

Has anyone insulated their soft top roof with this? Are there any issues putting the roof down at all with this insulation in? If you haven't used this product but have insulated your roof what did you use? Could you please tell me about your experiences or any advice in order to reduce the heat in summer, trapping warmth in winter and blocking a little road noise out so the other person on the phone can hear me when I talk on my bluetooth. Or maybe I might be asking too much and should just sell up?!

I had a search through the forums here but couldn't really find what I am looking for.

Any helpful tips or point in the right direction would be great..

Cheers

Can't offer any advice on the headliner but I just got a new soft top on mine and decided to go with a robbins stayfast canvas one. It seems to insulate and offer better sound reduction properties than my crappy old vinyl one.

Bought it off ebay and installed it myself using this link. http://www.miata.net/garage/MiataTop2/index.html

Kev05 · Postby **Kev05** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 11:59 am

Leeana wrote:Looks like I can only try it out and if anyone is interested I am happy to report back.

Please do and let us know. I'm keen on the idea for the warmer months.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:31 pm

crappy old vinyl? I do not think so. It's actually a mighty product - very durable very tough and pretty easy to maintain. A vinyl top can easily last 15 years and more if the owner takes care with it. Many other tops are more about perceived aesthetics than necessarily longevity or even maintenance. Marring is also not really a problem with vinyl. Vinyl in car interiors has shown its high performance over the years and still used selectively.

Earlybird · Postby **Earlybird** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:50 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:crappy old vinyl? I do not think so. It's actually a mighty product - very durable very tough and pretty easy to maintain. A vinyl top can easily last 15 years and more if the owner takes care with it. Many other tops are more about perceived aesthetics than necessarily longevity or even maintenance. Marring is also not really a problem with vinyl. Vinyl in car interiors has shown its high performance over the years and still used selectively.

I was only referring to MY crappy old vinyl roof. It was stuffed! Had holes fixed with cloth tape, had shrunk and the inner lining was disintegrating on touch.

Agree that vinyl is very durable material for convertible roofs, apologies if my post made it sound like vinyl is the spawn material from the devil

Postby **NitroDann** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 7:17 pm

Steampunk wrote:.... in fact, you can see in the fourth photo of what appears to be an NA, the roof just sits there, unsupported, in 3/4 position, which just means that that may be the limit of opening.
.

What?

Are you serious?

I dont get that impression at all.

Dann

jlo8872 · Postby **jlo8872** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:46 pm

This product is actually German and is available from IL Motorsport.
They do have a great reputation for MX5 related gear.
I believe it was aimed a owners who wanted to keep to just a soft top but have better insulation (heat and cool) as well as a more aesthetically pleasing appearance inside the cabin.

I would suggest contacting the seller and getting more information.

J.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 1:29 pm

From what you posted I think a hardtop is a much better answer. You don't have to replace your worn out soft top and put the money towards a hardtop (plus the lining money).

Postby **Okibi** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 4:42 pm

I have a piece of vinyl glued to the underside of my soft top, it doesn't do much in the way of insulation but it looks better than the faded underside of the OEM softtop.

droo · Postby **droo** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 11:52 pm

Okibi - has the glue/vinyl addition had any decrease on the the compactness of the top after it's folded? I've been toying with a similar idea.

Postby **Okibi** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 12:06 am

Nah haven't noticed any difference.

jlo8872 · Postby **jlo8872** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:30 am

I resolved the faded underside issue on my soft top by painting it with a edger paint for doing the edged of leather belts etc; fixed it up a treat.
I didn't even have to "feather" the paint near the edges to get it to blend.

Cheap and very effective. - no odour either and water tight