Vinyl top repairs Brisbane South

Quicksilver · Postby **Quicksilver** » Sat Mar 05, 2016 1:24 pm

Anyone recommend someplace to repair a tear in the vinyl top on my NB? I'm hoping not have to pay for a new top. I'm located in Logan area south of Brisbane.

I went to a couple of auto trimmers nearby, one offered to put an ugly patch on it, the other said too hard but recommended The Leather Doctor. Anyone use them? They look to be a furniture repair franchise. Other places you have used and recommend?

Thanks for your help.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Mar 05, 2016 7:48 pm

It should be easy for any trimmer to do the job but they will need to have the top off to stitch in a patch. You might be able to glue a patch on but you will need to get hold of a suitable adhesive- the trimmers know what to use. Other repairers might specialise.

joshuam · Postby **joshuam** » Sun Mar 06, 2016 1:05 am

These sorts of tops are a maintenance item really, and anything over 10 years you get from them is a bonus - it is just an additional cost to factor in when buying any soft top car.

My recommendation is not to spend any big money trying to fix it, because it will just fall apart somewhere else. If it is in an easy enough location, put one of the ugly patches on it (just adhesive one on). If it is in an awkward spot just start saving for a new top. Certainly if you need to take the top off the car to fix it there is no way known it would be worth keeping it.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sun Mar 06, 2016 11:36 am

Depends how big the tear is, but a number of forumites have had success with: www.uticolor.com.au/
Forumite also tried the Leather Doctor with the result here:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=41628

Quicksilver · Postby **Quicksilver** » Sat Mar 12, 2016 6:12 pm

Thanks all for the replies and the link 93_C.

I have had the top fixed yesterday by the local Leather and Vinyl Doctor. Its a low heat weld process and they emboss a pattern somewhat close to the original vinyl. You have to look fairly closely to see the repair. Its a bit shiny but I usually keep the roof shiny anyway so hopefully will blend okay. Overall a good job for around $100. I would recommend.

I'll post again if there are any longer term issues but worth the punt for $100 to get a few more years out of the top.

BTW Leather and Vinyl Doctor are a franchise so should be just about everywhere.