Soft top repair

[Mrozik]

Can anyone direct me to a soft top repairer in the UK?

I have found companies offering a complete soft top but as the only thing wrong with mine are cracked plastic windows and the fabric seems to be in very good condition I really do not feel the need to replace everything.

Thanks

[nmauduit]

please let us know if you find out a way to repair that, I would think it's easier to repair the fabric than the flexible window...

[Mrozik]

As far as I know all you need is an industrial sowing mahine, some clear PVC sheeting and some experience?

[nmauduit]

isn't it thermally welded originally ? is a replacement is sawn, some form of sealing would have to be added then ...

[Mrozik]

I'm sure adding some sealant along the seam would be easy....

[Quart Meg Miles]

I've not done it but I fancy you could do it yourself using an adhesive like 151 Fantastic Elastic, just a few pounds a tube on Ebay. I've used it a couple of times and it is particularly tenacious, so much so that it doesn't want to leave the tube! But once squeezed out out it is easily applied and difficult to part once set.

I have no experience of the window sheeting but a boat chandler may be able to advise or even a friendly hood maker. I had one in my village but he retired and his son decided Rolls Royce paid better.

[h20hamelan]

It is really not that difficult. You can order a sheet of the vinyl, and any seamstress or tailor should be able to stitch it up or down for 1/2 a crown

[reb53]

Many years ago I got a car upholsterer to replace the windows.
The originals had been welded in, which wasn't something he could do, so he stitched new clear plastic over the old whilst leaving the old in place in order to accurately retain the shape.
Then he cut out the old.
Worked well, and whilst it wasn't concurs, at the time I just wanted some windows you could see out of.

Speaking of which, I need a new hood and am happy to pay for a good product but the company that supplies them wants 130 quid to send it out to N.Z. from the U.K.
This seems manifestly excessive for a 2-3 kg parcel, especially as I've just had a 16 kg bottle jack sent to me from the UK for 13 quid, ( this admittedly was exceptional ).
Apparently the UK company is contracted to one freight company and doesn't try to figure out the best price themselves.
Thereby losing business.......

Ralph.
N.Z.