Early prevention for soft top wear - HELP!

[jordyDANGERmit]

Hi all,

I have seen and heard plenty of wears of repairing a soft top. I have noticed one pin sized hole and a couple of premature wear marks on the inside of my NB. What is the reccomendation of something I can prematurely apply to stop excessive rubbing and wear?

[hks_kansei]

Let me guess, the pinholes are on the rear quarter areas of the top?

Really common pinch point on the NB, when folded that area is squished by the frame.

Options are to get some spare vinyl an glue patches onto the inside to thicken it and help protect it, or carry a pair of cloths and when you fold the roof carefully tuck them around the areas to pad out the pinched area.

If it helps, mine has done the same but It's taken 19 years for it to finally wear through. (And even then it's only slightly)

[Luke]

Leave the roof up.
Mine is really good on my SE as the roof mainly stays up.

[ManiacLachy]

The roof on my 2004 NBSE goes up and down many times each week, at 173,000km it's seen plenty of movement, and there are no holes in my roof. I wipe it down with Aerospace 303 Protectant a couple of times a year, but other than that I don't take any special measures.

I tend to think constant use helps the material stay pliable, where if it doesn't go down as often it might get stiff so that when it is used it's more likely to tear.

hks's notes on patches might help fix your holes and help it to last a little longer.

[Mr Morlock]

I reckon HKS is probably right- I added some vinyl inside where there was some evidence of marring but after 15 years or so the materials must weaken. The 303 can help and cleaning of course. UV is not helpful