Soft Top Repair

[3rdmdqm]

I checked the archives on this topic and found a few ideas from back in April, wondering if there are any new ideas. I have a soft top in decent condition, however the front sewn edge at the windshield has come apart and the plastic channel piece that secures the top and goes in the windshield channel was broken in half and the other half is missing.

I took a piece of vinyl siding, cut it to 59 1/2 inch length, by 3" in width. The bottom portion of the siding has a channel used to grab the next piece of siding. This is the perfect size to fit in the windshield channel and is strong enough to hold. My dilemma is, I tried using liquid nails to glue the top to the siding, however this is not working so well. Apparently liquid nails was not made to join vinyl/canvas to vinyl siding. My next step is to try and see if an uphosterer can sew through the siding and vinyl top.

Are there any other ideas out there? The one mentioned previously was utilizing rope, although I can't picture that. Thre was also a mention of a product called Pliobond, will this hold stronger than Liquid Nails? Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Blood_of_Tyrants]

I used aluminum blind rivets with large heads and "Seals All" adhesive.

 

[319]

I just recently used JB Weld on mine. It seems to be holding very well, but the real test will be on the freeway later this week.

Update:

Took it out for a spin on the freeway at 55MPH for several miles. The top held with no issues. Checked the attachment where the top meets the plastic and it was as solid as a rock!

 

[poppop]

I used three M black uphostlier glue on mine and when it dried drilled small holes and sticthed it with nylon fishing line. Its holding so far.

 

[MitchG]

If you can find a place that does shoe repair take it there. I got the new plastic channel pieces from GMA and a local shoe repair guy sewed it on for me. He also used a glue that is supposed to be for bonding shoe soles to the uppers before he stiched it up. Looks great and is holding perfectly.

 

[3rdmdqm]

Thanks for all of the ideas. I wound up using Pliobond, then added the aluminum large head rivets as suggested. Worked out great. A bit of touch up paint on the rivets, can't even tell. The plastic siding cut to size worked out really well for the plastic channel substitute/replacement. This site is awesome, thanks for the help.

 

[Barrman]

Glad it worked out. A pair of pliers, gloves, non waxed dental floss, Pliobond, 9 large sewing needles broken and about 4 hours allowed me to restitch mine a year ago after it let go.

 

[TexAndy]

If you can find a place that does shoe repair take it there. I got the new plastic channel pieces from GMA and a local shoe repair guy sewed it on for me. He also used a glue that is supposed to be for bonding shoe soles to the uppers before he stiched it up. Looks great and is holding perfectly.

How much did the plastic channel piece cost? I can't find it on the GMA website.

Yeah, I've got the exact same problem as others in this thread. Plastic front piece came unstitched and broke into several pieces.

 

[TexAndy]

I had the same problem with a top that I have... My local upholstery shop restitched the top and the plastic channel piece and it only cost $25. "You can't beat a man at his own game."

Nice. I just need to find a replacement plastic channel piece.

 

[Heavysteven]

Same thing on my truck soft top stiching has broke. Guess I will look for a good upolster.

 

[tie6044]

I know this is an old thread but I didn't want to start a new one on the same topic, I am looking for the replacement channels too for the soft top and need a little help. I checked GMA's site but I don't seem to find any products list or catalog. Or is there another place to find the channel?

 

[SCSG-G4]

Scott,
Call GMA if you don't want to use the siding as mentioned in earlier posts. Shipping may be a problem because it's long and not very big around!

 

[tie6044]

Thanks Mike, I figured I should just call, I just thought I was missing something on the webstite.

 

[Monkeyboyarmy]

Last time I called GMA for a channel,they said sorry...but we'll sell you a new top. So if you get them to sell you one,buy two.

 

[SGTStewart]

Or three, I need one too.

 

[Crazyguyla]

The old cotton duck canvas had a cord stitched into the front end of the top. I know this repair was covered in the General Fabric Repair manual, FM 10-16 . I want to say the cord was 1/8 inch thick. Could go this route to repair a top with a missing/ broken plastic piece.

FM 10-16 has had a lot of information removed since the last revision, my copy is back home in the states. If you take your top to an upolstery shop for repair, tell them you need a corded seam added where the platic piece was. Is basicly a cord sewn into a fabric sheath, then taht is sewn to the top. Now there's something to slide through the channel and secure the fron of the top.

 

[aboonski]

I have an April 1974 copy of FM 10-16 that came with my deuce when I bought it locally. Not sure if this one is in the "library" but I will be happy to provide pages from the book in the event any of the members want them. I just scanned the cover and table of contents for now.

 

[DEUCEBIGALOW]

My top is also broken Any ideas would work great anybody know more about the siding trick...

 

[3rdmdqm]

I used the siding trick, it works fine. just as good as the original plastic channel piece. Cut to the length I previously posted. I made mine 3" wide/high, however you do not need to make it this wide. If I had to do it again I would only make it 2" wide, 3" pushes the top up to high and makes it not sit on top of the metal rods to hold it down. This will be an easy fix for me though as I will just take a razor knife and score it in half to make it more flexible. The siding channel fits perfectly.

Use JB Weld, Pliobond or any other type shoe cement to glue the fabric along the edge of the siding. I added pop rivets across the front for added strength although there are others that did not do this and have had no issues. I touched up the aluminum rivets that were exposed with paint and you cannot even see them. I have gotten excellent results and the top functions as good as new.

I will post pics when this dreaded weatehr clears up.

 

[DEUCEBIGALOW]

I got my siding.. But had to go pick up my WMO so I didnt have time to get it all installed so rachet strap it was.. until this storm clears...