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Tiny Tears in Top Test Tim's Tolerance

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M

MGNoir

Jedi Hopeful
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I have a little tear about 1" long in my top, both sides, very front, right in some stitching near the outside edges. The %(*#@% things are little rain funnels that send the drops right down onto my seat (or knee if driving) and lead to soggy carpets.

It looks like the top at that point is under a lot of stress when all latched in, hence the tear at the weaker stitch seam.

Any advice on how to patch? I was thinking that I could sandwich the tear with some material of some kind, but it would have to be stretchy, or put on while everything is taunt. How would it go to make a small 'band aid' of upholstery vinyl, then apply with some kind of contact cement do you think? I could see putting a piece on both the inside and outside to give it some oomph.

Thoughts?
 
So take it to a top/trim shop and have it repaired.
 
First of all Tim, I congratulate you on your mastery of alliteration.
Both approaches are viable solutions.
If you're looking for the most economical method, I would opt for gluing a piece of vinyl on both sides of the top at the split, using a high quality contact cement.
I'm sure any reputable auto upholstery shop can fix it for you, but not as cheaply.
Jeff
 
The vinyl & contact cement sounds good. Was thinking if I did that, I could have the top all clamped down (and thus stretched).

RE: having someone else do it - there's one shop in town that might do it - but he's never open. Stopped by 3 times to see if he'd do my seats (from the kit I had) and never open. Gave up, did it myself, saved $$ :^)
 
Tim, Try to tailor the tear in the top with thread tying a taut triangle of textiles into the rift.

In other words, restitching stuff is no black art. I wouldn't try to sew back together the split because it will just pull out again but rather, get a triangle of material to bridge the gap and use the preexisting holes to facilitate the sewing. I fixed many a leather jacket and leather gloves that way.

Whether it is wood, sheet metal or fabric and whether you fasten with nails, a welder or a needle and thread, if you can do one, you can pretty well do another. I think this way you would get better results than contact cement.
 
As an old sailor I would do both, a new peice of material underneath for strength and to sew to and a bit of goop to seal from the weather.
 
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