How to Patch a 2 inch tear in top?

Discussion in 'The ragtop shop' started by cjp69, Jun 22, 2003.

  1. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Hey guys,

    Just picked up a 71 Skylark Conv. and has a slight tear in the top (horizontal) near the rear side window. Any thoughts on a way to patch or repair it? I don't think it is leaking, but it isn't very attractive.

    What have you guys done / seen?

    Thanks, Chris
     
  2. yuk

    yuk Well-Known Member

    i have seen it attempted about 50 times .... but never done ...:(

    rotsa ruk!
     
  3. tlivingd

    tlivingd BIG BLOCK, THE ANTI PRIUS

    I just went to a convertable top place and they put about a 3" dia patch over it from the inside made of convertable top material (scrap). they used there top adhesive glue on it too...

    for future make sure to move the top pads over the hinge that pushes right there... thats how i got mine started... :af:

    nate
     
  4. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks Nate, I will make sure the pad is in the right spot.

    So they patched it from the inside? So does it still looked ripped from the outside?

    Thanks, Chris
     
  5. tlivingd

    tlivingd BIG BLOCK, THE ANTI PRIUS

    yea it still looks ripped. if they took more time I think they could have pulled the top tighter there. also I have a blue top so its hard to match the color. they said if it were black or white it would have been a lot easier and they woulda took some vinyl dye and dyed it

    if it were a black top the black patch they put on woulda looked pretty darn good though. white may not be that hard to patch.

    added late:
    make sure to leave the top up while doing the repair atleast 24 hrs before (if not 48) so it shrinks back to normal size. and dont put the top down for 48 hrs. and it has to be a nice dry day. (no rain)

    Nate
     
  6. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks Nate.

    Here is the tear, what do you think?
     
  7. tlivingd

    tlivingd BIG BLOCK, THE ANTI PRIUS

    that is EXACTLY what mine looks like now with the patch.

    defantly doo able.

    mine has held up well though I only did it about a year ago.

    Nate
     
  8. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    I was hoping that mine would look better with a patch. Maybe it already has one on the inside. I will have to take a look.

    Thanks, Chris
     
  9. 462CID

    462CID Buick newbie since '89

    Oh, memories...the classic top tear...I gotta admit that the only real way to solve this is to teach yourself how to install a top.

    Not really a hard job, but it's a little scary the first time. In my experience, no patch stays if you put the roof down a lot, not even a stitched patch (been there, done that)
     

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