Ok, so as I'm stuck with the Miata for awhile, I'm in situation. Next week it's going to make 1622 mile drive (according to Google Maps). There are two small tears in the soft top. I really don't think I'll be able to get it replaced before this drive. What's a grassroots way to make this car reasonably road worthy (in regards to the rips).
A friend of mine suggested getting a similiar material as the top (or like duck canvas) and hot gluing it over the rips. Obviously this is not permanent. It'd be nice if it stop at least 75% of water from getting on me in case it rains. Any thoughts?
Iropn-on pants patches. Or if you live near any body of water, check with a sail repair loft. If you're going to repair it yourself, use glue for cloth fabic. It's flexible and water-proof. Hot glue will simply rip if you try to open the top.
On my old '94, I patched the black vinyl top from the inside with black denim patches and gorilla glue - cost me $4 and a trip to wal-mart.
neon4891 wrote:
Duct tape not an option?
I think duct tape would fail to meet the 75% requirement 
JThw8
SuperDork
7/14/10 7:55 a.m.
Did this on my last miata.
On the inside I used small vinyl patches and adhesive (goop, I belive) on the outside I bought one of those cheap vinyl repair kits that has you mix up some thick paint looking stuff and hit it with a little iron.
The interior patches did most of the work, if you arent concerned with the looks then just a little clear rtv in the cut on the outside to help seal it.
Drove mine that way for 2 years, never leaked.
My tears are about 3/4-1 inch on my top and it really isn't to wet . Most of my water comes in through the missing rear window so maybe it just seems minor. I might try a tire patch on both sides of the hole.
Jay
Dork
7/14/10 8:13 a.m.
A common fix in the Elan community is to pull the tear back together as tightly as possible, then stick a cut length of old seatbelt on (from the inside) with spray-on fabric glue. Hold for a few minutes and you're golden.
On mine before I replaced the top, I glued some scrap vinyl with upolstery glue (contact cement) on the inside and after curing used a dab of silicone on the outside of the rip to increase water tightness. Works for a short time as long as you don't fold the top down.
Go to the junkyard and grab some fabric from a similar color soft top car - cut to size and install with JB weld and silicone caulk.
GI_Drewsifer wrote:
neon4891 wrote:
Duct tape not an option?
I think duct tape would fail to meet the 75% requirement
Dirty little secret... My P71 has a 1" hole and a 2.5" hole in the roof. Both are sealed with a single piece of black Gorilla-brand Duct Tape. Over 3 years and 25,000+ miles including 130MPH+ track days and biblical rain storms, I haven't had a single drop of water or rip in the tape.
P71 wrote:
GI_Drewsifer wrote:
neon4891 wrote:
Duct tape not an option?
I think duct tape would fail to meet the 75% requirement
Dirty little secret... My P71 has a 1" hole and a 2.5" hole in the roof. Both are sealed with a single piece of black Gorilla-brand Duct Tape. Over 3 years and 25,000+ miles including 130MPH+ track days and biblical rain storms, I haven't had a single drop of water or rip in the tape.
I'm interested in your product and would like to know more Salesperson. How do you think it would hold up to folding though?
Can't you get vinyl patch kits at just about any auto parts store? I vote for a piece of vinyl and Gorilla Glue. As used on many Miatas 
GI_Drewsifer wrote:
I'm interested in your product and would like to know more Salesperson. How do you think it would hold up to folding though?
I dunno, let me go fold my roof around a tree and I'll let you know...
I'd probably try the vinyl patch + Gorilla glue on a softtop.
