Re-stitching Dan's Targa Top Edging?
 

My targa top was rebuilt by Dan of CarsInc fame about 6 years ago. I noticed that the stitching holding the edging has started to come undone in a couple spots. The picture below is the most notable area.

Any ideas on how to best remedy this before it worsens would be appreciated.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1525817982.jpg

Take it to an upholstery shop. Suggest auto or marine vs furniture.

Get the old thread out and re-stitch. You will probably be surprised at the cost. Low. Not high.

It would be interesting to see what Targa Dan says about that. Rob

I wonder if that top fabric isn’t purchased and then installed by Dan? Either way, the stitching needs to be redone on that vinyl top.

I contacted an area upholstery and was given some contacts for good auto upholstery shops in my area. I will update when I have details/costs for future reference.

If only a small part, try this yourself. Be sure to match the thread.


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BTW the needle is a cheap sawing machine needle glued to any wooden end.
These are pictures from a different project, but it can be applied here.

Rvidal,

I continue to marvel at your upholstery handiwork and now photo skills too. Please continue sharing. This is very helpful and might even motivate an all thumbs like me to attempt fixing the seats myself.

Targa top stitching problem
 

This should not occur. I have seen this only one other time and that is when top was left at body shop sitting out side near exhaust fan. Chemicals just destroyed stitches.

I'm not sure what happened to make it fail. Last night I used outdoor thread and a leather needle and carefully repaired all the areas that were damaged.
In total, there were 7 failed areas with 30 total inches. I am concerned that other areas will also fail. The bad areas were mostly folds, as well as the middle and a few other spots.

I have been driving the car for about 6 years and don't store it in the sun or near chemicals. During winter it is in my garage with the Targa top installed, not folded.

Here are the areas I repaired. It appears the stitching on the top became weak and began ripping out in some places.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1526475738.jpghttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1526475782.jpg

Targa top stitching problem
 

As mentioned I have been doing Targa top rebuilds and have only heard of this twice and both cases were body shop related.

Well, sorry to report, it looks like 4 on record, 2 non-body shop or chem related.

Mine popped last night. I was cleaning up after a 5 hour road trip and as I was removing dead insects off of the wind screen, I noticed a loose top stitch at or near the passenger side folding portion:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1526484620.JPG

She is a always garaged unless I am driving her and I rarely if ever fold the top or leave my car at a shop.

Nothing last forever, :-) mine about 6 years.

Dan, if I may, you may need to check/calibrate your sewing machine or consider using a stronger/thicker thread. I would send it to you for repair but Cali to NJ and back would be quite expensive. If anything, maybe offer a repair kit with proper needle size and matching thread?

OsoMoore, where did you get your needle and thread?

a suggestion of what "possibly" caused it , but no suggestion yet to have it returned and fixed for free as he stands behind his work. ??

I asked this before but no one answered.

How much was the shipping ? Does it have to be by freight ?

Well just looked at my 2013 receipt, UPS ship to him was $20. That ain't bad if he will pay for the return ship.

I guess I can ask Dan but this is my daily and I can stitch it myself for a few dollars. Just need to know what type of thread and needle size.

I went to Jo-ann fabrics and bought a small set of needles that included a "leather needle". I also bought some thread called outdoor or exterior thread. A grizzled veteran at the store helped me pick it out. Also, I obtain a thimble. Total cost $15.
My work isn't beautiful, but I think it was sufficient. I suspect I'll be doing more in the next year or two as more of the original thread deteriorates.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1526563875.jpg

... and you chose blue thread because .... ??

Probably best to just do the entire front edge while you’re there. You can assume that the other areas will fail at some time.

Darkest of the colors the fabric store had on hand. Red might have been a nice highlight color.

suggestion just to throw some shoe polish on them

Jo-ann's got it, Thank you Brother Oso!

Targa top stitching problem
 

This situation is very challenging. There appear to be stitching problem with tops of about 6 years ago. As I mentioned the only problem that I was a ware of with two tops were related to cars at a body shop. Now it appears there are a couple more problems.

What some you may not know I am not in the upholstery business and do not even own a sewing machine. I am in the Targa Top rebuilding business. I buy all my products for a national known suppliers built to my specifications.

I thank the contributors who have shared there fixes. Looks like some of you have got a good fix.

This being said, a top should last longer than 6 years. I am looking into this situation and anyone who has a problem contact me dirwctly and I will deal with this problem.

I am sorry about this.
Dan

Master Dan,

Thank you for your post. Speaking for myself, I still am a believer of your work and efforts in a fine rebuild. I will continue to recommend you to anyone who asks.

Wow, so you hand stitch, that is amazing.

My family was in the sewing manufacturing business and we have been through issues with suppliers and machinery. Consumers/Contractors want items cheap, as a result, the items they purchase do have there share of failures, what we did offer was, an upgrade to insure failures were less frequent. Just a suggestion.

On that note, I have to also report the head liner coming loose. Sorry. It appears the adhesive just will not hold up after a certain time. No big deal, I will spray some industrial strength 3M adhesive.

I ordered marine grade UVR #4 thread in black and upholstry need set to re-stitch the entire front bead/trim to keep threading uniform, may re-do the rear for extra measures.

Again thank you,

Jim

Jim, I think he orders the tops sewn, I don't think he sews them by hand. :)

Great post, Dan. Way to step up. I'll say that, like Jim, the glue on the top you built for me isn't holding up all that well. I've had to reglue it and it still doesn't want to stay. Am going to strip and use Weldwood or something similar. FYI.

Targa top stitching problem
 

Oops, I gave the wrong impression when I mentioned I don't own a sewing machine. The real facts are that I buy all my product cut and made to my specifications, the supplier does the sewing.

Again, contact me directly if you have an issue.

Well, as not to void mine with you and your warranty with your supplier, I better send the top to you to deal with the stitching and liner issues. Yes Master Dan?

:)

Targa top stitching problem
 

Please contract me directly. I will provide instruction has how to get this repaired. Do not send top back to me, remember i don't own a sewing machine.

Well.... I muffed up my warranty but I fixed it myself :-P

Pretty easy using RVidal's method.

Yes, I used black only did the broken area 3-4 stitches over lap both sides. I think it came out okay :-)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1527036437.JPG

Will do more research on the proper liner adhesive and do that later.