Prophylactic vinyl top repair.

[Tobra]

On the driver's side, there is a spot where the frame rubs on the inside of the top. It is not worn through, but is getting thin. I went and got the 3M/Bondo vinyl repair kit, which really has more stuff than i need.

I want to reinforce the top on the inside where it rubs. I was thinking I could take the little scrap of vinyl they give you to practice on and use the adhesive in the kit to glue a small piece to the inside of the top where it rubs. There is also a small piece of cloth that is intended as a backing for repairing a hole. I don't think sticking the cloth on there will be adequte. Anyone done anything similar. I stick a piece of vinyl on the inside, it will make it a bit thicker, so it may rub more, but it will be on that vinyl I am adding.

[masraum]

sounds perfect to me.

I thought you had leather seats which should mean that you've got a canvas top.

[DARISC]

You could make it double prophylactic and use a Trojan.

[Tobra]

aftermarket leather, vinyl top

[masraum]

Ah! Actually, that's cool assuming the leather covers are nice. I tried an MSM with the cloth seats and ended up buying one with leather seats. My observation seems to be common amongst other folks. The cloth seats have a little better support than the leather seats.

[Tobra]

I think they recovered the OE seats.

I think I maybe glue the patch on the inside with the vinyl side facing the top frame. It should form a pretty good bond with cloth backing glued to cloth backing, and the smooth side of the vinyl should hold up well to rubbing on the frame.

[masraum]

sounds good to me.

[azasadny]

Do you have any boat canvas shops anywhere near you? The shops near me do this kind of work and they generally do excellent work...

[john70t]

Adding a sacrificial layer of anything(i.e. opposing layers of blue painters tape) will stop the rubbing/wear temporarly.

But why is it rubbing through?:
-Frame flex?
-Roof material shrinking in the sun/cold?
-Other?

Materials(vinyl and cloth) can be tweaked and adjusted, conditioned, and/or simply replaced....

[Tobra]

It is a seven year old car, spending the vast majority of the time with its top down as a weekend, rather than daily driver. It is wear from when the top is folded. I will eventually get a hardtop for winter and rig up some sort of tonneau cover up for it. Do an oval shaped patch and it should work out pretty good, let it dry overnight, in the more than somewhat warm garage.