Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 21:36:46 -0400 From: "dave" <alofusblountmaybenospamel.net> Subject: Re: Drop top repair
"itten" <ittennospamast.net> wrote in message news:050520041244510102%ittennospamast.net... > I've got a '94 Saab that is in need of a new top. I don't want to > spend the $1000.00 & some change now to get it replaced. Does anyone > have any ideas for a "band-aid" type fix I can do for now until I > decide to spend the money? I'm not concerned about how it looks as I > only drive it in fair weather. I was thinking of glueing some sort of > waterproof fabric right over the existing top, roofing cement, whatever > it takes to keep it from leaking. I just need to be able to put it > down when I drive it. To "band-aid" a top you need to know what type of tear you have. If the fabric has gotten brittle from the sun, be warned that any fix you do will not last long. If the fabric has developed a tear from flexing at a pinch point a repair may last a bit longer. I have used an iron on patch placed from the bottom for a short term band aid. Center the iron on patch under the hole, allow about 2 inches or so on all sides of the hole. Place a board or other suitable hard flat thing under the patch and iron away from the top. Be careful not to heat too much, or you will get a shiny spot. You may need to put a few stitches thru the patch to keep the ends from fraying up. Seal the patch up with tent sealing spray used liberally. You will likely have problems with the back window separating from the fabric. Some folks have said to use urethane glue to re-seal the window. I have used "shoe-goo" with some success. The piping around the edges of the top are likely brittle and breaking up. Get out the needle and thread and sew on some fabric edging from the local seamstress store. From what you describe though, you will end up buying a new top soonly. It will run about 1200 US dollars, and take about 4 days to do. Don't go cheap, but don't buy the real expensive top either. You will enjoy the car much more once the top is replaced. I did. dave
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