Soft Top Repair: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Jan. 5, 2009 5:52 p.m. Sofa King New Reader

Has anyone had any success patching a cut in a Miata soft top? I have about a 3" cut that runs from front to back. It isn't under much stress when the top is up, and I think that I should be able to sew it or glue a patch on the under side, but I could use suggestions on what glue would hold, but retain flexibility. I have some extra top material that I could use to make the patch.

I have replaced several Miata tops, so I know how to do that, but this top is in good enough shape otherwise, that I'd rather try to get a little more time out of it before I replace it.
Jan. 5, 2009 6:25 p.m. porksboy HalfDork

I repaired a rip in the soft top on my Spitfire using a scrap of vinyl from a local piece goods/ fabric shop and Shoe Goo. I spread the Goo around the inside of the tear and put a patch on the inside. I was going to sew it but it has held for over a year and it is in a corner where the frame pushes up. It looks acceptable from the out side as well.

Not to hijack the thread but I need a zipper pull tab for the zip out rear window on my Spit. Anyone have any idea where to find just a pull or know where I could "liberate" one?
Jan. 5, 2009 6:47 p.m. Josh Reader

I used an inner tube patching kit on a couple punctures on my old top before I replaced it and it worked pretty well. The patches were holding up fine, I replaced the top when the window seam tore.
Jan. 5, 2009 8:09 p.m. jrw1621 Reader

porksboy wrote: Not to hijack the thread but I need a zipper pull tab for the zip out rear window on my Spit. Anyone have any idea where to find just a pull or know where I could "liberate" one?

I had the same problem with my '90 Miata many years ago where the tab broke off the zipper. I replaced the tab with a paper clip (cheap, standard variety.) I am not kidding you when I say that that paper clip has easily been there for 5 years or more and the paper clip shows no signs of wearing out soon.
Jan. 5, 2009 10:29 p.m. egnorant Dork

I had an L-shaped cut in my $500 miata that I stitched up rather well. I have no idea if the stitch I used has a name but it worked perfectly.

I called it a figure 8 stitch. I started with a couple of loops at the end of the cut. Then from underneath I ran it through the cut and proceeded to pierce from the top and then back up through the cut to the other side where I again pierced from the top. Repeat until you reach the end of the cut and then add a couple of loops.

This pulled the fabric together evenly and flat with a bit of care with the tension of the thread.

A wee bit of silicone pressed into the stitches may have been not needed but I wanted no leaks. I am sure the patch that I applied on the bottom side with "Duco" brand contact cement was overkill but I was having fun.

It looks pretty good with a bit of dueling scar panache'. But if folks can get past the magnetic towing lights that I use for taillights or the combo hood hold down/bumper retaining bungies to pick on my stitched up top I will just hand them a beer and tell them to shut up.

Bruce
Jan. 5, 2009 11:09 p.m. GSmith Reader

In reply to Sofa King:

I've also used bike tire patching kits (on the outside vinyl, not the inside cloth)... scratch up the vinyl, apply the glue, apply the rubber patch.

My first Miata had ~3 covering 1/2" to 1" tears / cuts. Didn't really show at speed, and no worries with the top down (which it usually was unless parked). Not pretty with the top up, but they kept me much drier...